Taques Brings Color and Polish to Mexican Dining

At Taques, a plate of tacos or a bowl of ceviche arrives in a dining room dressed in blue, lit by chandeliers and softened with enough evening glow to make a weeknight dinner feel a little dressed up. It is a family-owned Mexican restaurant with a notably more polished look than the standard bright red, yellow and green approach.

The mood stays comfortable rather than formal. Families can settle into booths, friends can take a table for a long catch-up, and couples have a setting that works nicely for an impromptu date night. The menu is broad enough that nobody has to order the same familiar thing every time.

Meals begin with chips and salsa, a welcome table ritual before the larger decisions begin. The salsa verde served with tacos has built a following of its own, bringing a lively green note to the table without turning dinner into a heat contest.

Shrimp ceviche is a particularly appealing place to start when the table wants something cool and fresh before the richer entrées arrive. Esquites also make sense for sharing, especially alongside a round of drinks and a basket of chips.

The food is generously portioned, served hot and plated with more care than a quick casual meal might suggest. That makes Taques easy to use for a full dinner, but it also suits the person who wants a few starters, a cocktail and no great rush.

Street tacos are a natural order here, including steak and tacos al pastor. They are a useful anchor for the table: straightforward, easy to share in spirit if not literally, and especially good with that salsa verde nearby.

For a crunchier route, tacos dorados come as five crisp corn shells filled with ground beef or potato. They are accompanied by refried beans, sour cream, shredded cabbage, tomatoes, guacamole and green salsa, so the plate has plenty going on beyond the fried shell.

Quesabirrias, chili rellenos, enchiladas and molcajete give the menu more range than a taco-only stop. A brunch visit featuring quesabirrias suggests that the dish has enough pull to bring people back at a different hour, too.

Enchiladas can arrive with refried beans, Mexican rice, lettuce and a sour-cream drizzle, making the plate a complete, colorful meal rather than a small roll of tortillas and filling. It is the sort of order that rewards arriving hungry.

Taques Salada is built for someone who enjoys a little architecture in a meal. A deep-fried flour-tortilla bowl holds refried beans, rice, grilled vegetables, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and queso fresco, with ranch served on the side.

Another taco-salad version combines beef and shredded chicken with generous vegetables in a toasted shell that is lighter than the usual heavy flour bowl. There is even salmon among the composed entrées, a useful change of pace for a mixed group.

Vegetarian diners have a vegetarian menu or section to work from, rather than being left to piece together side dishes. It is a practical detail on a menu otherwise full of meats, seafood and substantial sauces.

Margaritas are not an afterthought at Taques. The list includes hibiscus, strawberry and mango versions, served in distinctive glassware and offered in both small and large sizes. A larger drink can make sense when dinner turns into an unhurried evening at the table.

Tequila and mezcal cocktails broaden the options beyond the familiar frozen-or-rocks routine. Mojitos appear on the drink list as well, and flaming tequila shots bring a bit of tableside drama for celebratory dinners or a lively brunch.

Nondrinkers are not limited to water or soda. Mocktails and a mocktail daiquiri give the beverage program a more inclusive feel, particularly useful when a group includes cocktail fans and people skipping alcohol.

The room's blue décor is a defining touch. Combined with chandeliers and soft lighting, it gives Taques an eclectic, cozy look that is more stylish than theme-restaurant kitsch.

Where you sit changes the evening slightly. Standard tables handle family meals and group dinners; booths offer a more tucked-in option; and bar stools are handy for a drink or a short pause when the dining room is busy.

There is also a patio or terrace mentioned for warm-weather dining. On summer days and milder evenings, that adds another way to use the restaurant without changing the food-and-drink agenda.

Taques has hosted the full range: anniversaries, girls' nights, casual family meals, group dinners and spontaneous date nights. The room's polish helps it suit an occasion, while the chips, tacos and approachable service keep the atmosphere from becoming stiff.

Staff are known for being friendly, attentive and able to guide diners through the menu. Food and drinks tend to come out promptly, which keeps a multi-course meal moving without making it feel rushed.

Churros provide a fitting final note. They are served with enough visual flair to catch the eye, but their richer, satisfying flavor is the better reason to save room.

A free parking lot is available and is generally described as ample, though its location has occasionally taken a little finding. Indoor seating includes the bar, booths and tables, giving waiting diners an alternative to simply standing near the door.

Popular dinner periods can be busy. A Friday around 7:30 p.m. has brought a short wait, with bar seating available in the meantime, and reservations are used by diners. That is worth keeping in mind when the plan involves a larger group or a specific time.