By Mara Kogan
The latest restaurant to break into the Northgate fast food scene is Rusty Taco, a small Dallas-based taco chain known for its straightforward menu, fresh ingredients, and low prices. Located just blocks away from Chipotle and Taco Bell, Rusty Taco differentiates itself in the Mexican fast food market with a distinctive ambiance, notably low prices, excellent values, and a small selection of high-quality menu items.
Decor at Rusty Taco is decidedly minimalistic and understated. Both the exterior and interior are relatively unadorned. Inside, the restaurant decor is neutral in shades of gray. The atmosphere is friendly and the setting is kitschy casual, with tables and narrow counter-style seating reminiscent of an old time-diner. The no-frills interior decor includes exposed ducts, scuffed cement floors, and backless bar stools. There is also an outdoor seating option for those who prefer to dine at the picnic tables on the restaurant’s patio.
Customers order and pay at the counter, adding to Rusty Taco’s casual atmosphere. Tacos and sides are served in large, bright, primary colored paper-lined bowls bearing Mexican beer emblems and slogans. Service is friendly and contributes positively to the overall friendly dining environment.
Rusty Taco may have a small menu, but they make up for the limited choices by offering customers an excellent value for their money. The most expensive item on the menu is the margarita, coming in at $5. For between $1 and $3.50, diners can enjoy a selection of imported and domestic beers available in bottles on ice. All other menu items ring in at just $1 (side of chips and salsa or pico de gallo, $2 (all handmade tacos and breakfast tacos), or $3 (guacamole and queso dip).
Portion sizes are somewhat small, but the quality of the menu items is excellent for the price. At just $2 a piece, Rusty Taco customers can sample a wide variety of flavors and combinations of tacos. Popular homemade tacos include fish tacos, roasted pork, brisket, chicken fajita, black bean, and the signature Rusty taco featuring achiote pork and pineapple, cilantro, and onion. Breakfast tacos are also served throughout the day, with a variety of eggs and cheese combinations paired with your choice of potatoes, brisket, sausage, bacon, chorizo, or brisket.
Rusty Taco is centrally located across from campus in the Northgate area, at the corner of University and Stasney in the building formerly occupied by Papa John’s Pizza. Open until 2:30 AM on Friday and Saturday, Rusty Taco makes a great late-night stop after a night on Northgate. It is also especially convenient for those on campus to stop by for a quick lunch or dinner between classes.
If you’re looking to drive by to pick up a bite, parking is less than ample. The small parking lot behind Rusty Taco has a capacity of less than ten spots, meaning taco-seekers must drive up and down neighboring roads and find street parking or walk from the public Northgate lot or garage. However, for those coming from the Texas A&M campus or the Northgate area, Rusty Taco is just a short walk away.