Get Your Fill — and Then Some — at Sancho’s Taqueria
Like quite a few high-end chefs these days, Adam Torres turned his back on white table cloths, waiters, sommeliers and all the other fancy accouterments that go along with fine dining.
Instead, he opted to refocus his considerable skills toward something far more casual and carefree — tacos and burritos.
But not just any run-of-the-mill tacos and burritos. We’re talking ones that will leave you swooning.
Then again, that’s not surprising when you consider they’re being made by someone who used to cook on the line at the esteemed Village Pub in Woodside.
Having been a fan of the Sancho’s in Redwood City that opened a few years ago, and the take-out Mexican food window that Torres used to run at La Tiendita Market in East Palo Alto, my husband and I were eager to try the new Sancho’s Taqueria, which opened in downtown Palo Alto late last year.
I almost always end up getting at least one fish taco ($3.95). Super crisp, fried nuggets of flaky fish are mounded high inside two small, soft corn tortillas and topped with cabbage and creamy, house-made chipotle remoulade. Sancho’s has long had a reputation for its fish tacos. After one bite, you’ll not only know why, but want to order seconds.
I also enjoyed an al pastore (barbecue pork) super taco ($3.25), which came dressed with cheese, pico de gallo and salsa. Smoky and tender, the pork, like all of Sancho’s meats, are nicely seasoned.
My husband, aka Meat Boy, ordered his usual — the carnitas (roasted pork) super burrito ($6.95) that was loaded with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa and pico de gallo. This is one monster burrito. I don’t know how much it weighs, but you could do bicep curls with this baby. It’s HUGE! As you bite into it, the meat and condiments become one, creating this delicious mash-up of savory flavors.
At Sancho’s, you order at the counter, then wait to pick it up when it’s ready. The small taqueria has a few tables and counter seating inside, as well as a couple of outside tables that can get a little chilly on a cold night. When we were there on a Saturday evening, there was a nonstop stream of people getting food both to eat-in and to-go.
Sancho’s is not fancy by any means. But boy, is it soulfully satisfying.
Food Gal's RSS feed.
Monday, 4. January 2010 7:45
That looks so tasty! I love that kind of soul uplifting food…
Cheers,
Rosa
Monday, 4. January 2010 8:05
Wow, the tacos sound really good here, I wish this restaurant was in my neighborhood!
Monday, 4. January 2010 8:49
Nothing beats a good burrito, what a grand way to kick off the new year!
Monday, 4. January 2010 8:52
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LouAnn, CarolynJung. CarolynJung said: The mother of all burritos at my favorite tacqueria. http://www.foodgal.com/2010/01/get-your-fill-and-then-some-at-sanchos-taqueria/ [...]
Monday, 4. January 2010 8:57
Oh man, I think I would have to be with the meat boy on this one. That burrito sounds amazing, though I would probably need a smaller version.
Monday, 4. January 2010 9:29
I miss those huge California burritos packed with all that yumminess! It’s impressive that Adam used to work at the Village Pub, it was one of my parent’s favorite places when I was growing up in the bay area.
Monday, 4. January 2010 9:43
Another place to try in my hometown! Thanks, Food gal! And happy new year!
Monday, 4. January 2010 10:57
I like it when you cover places in the South Bay. I think I will be going to visit Senor Sancho tomorrow!
Monday, 4. January 2010 11:09
That chipotle remoulade looks amazing. I’m not a superfan of Mexican food but I could go for one of those tacos right about now. They look so fresh!
Monday, 4. January 2010 14:17
I love the new trend of fancy chefs opening casual cheap eateries. Delicious food should be accessible to everyone, not just gazillionaires!
Monday, 4. January 2010 15:26
Oh my goodness. Is it time for dinner yet?! Let me have these fish tacos!
Monday, 4. January 2010 19:37
I would like one of those fish tacos right now! I’m putting this on my “must go” list!
Monday, 4. January 2010 21:27
Mmmm al pastor is my favorite taco filler. Nothing quite like watching a guy shave it off the spit with a pineapple dripping it’s sweet juices all over the meat.
Monday, 4. January 2010 23:48
Great blog, Carolyn….!!!
I love these tacos, though I must admit I am not an expert in Mexican food…but I love the idea of “going back to basics” or our roots…one of these days? I will publish my Argentinian empanadas..
Tuesday, 5. January 2010 10:31
I’ve been hoing to the Redwod City location for years. Fish tacos are great. The tortilla soup is not.
Wednesday, 6. January 2010 11:25
Like you, our family has been fans of Sancho’s (RWC) for years–It’s great to see them get all the good press they deserve. Especially for the fish tacos!
Wednesday, 6. January 2010 13:08
Those look awesome! You realize, of course, that I’m using your blog to make a list of all the restaurants to visit the next time I’m in the Bay Area? I figure that, by the time I’m finished dining at all of them, Southwest Airlines will charge me an additional fee equivalent to an extra piece of luggage based on all the weight I’ll have gained!
Friday, 8. January 2010 8:07
Seems to be the trend to go more casual these days, which I like, for selfish reasons — we don’t have a formal dining room
.
Tuesday, 12. January 2010 9:28
mmmm. This post has me thinking about lunch! I love tacos and burritos. I recently had some pulled pork tacos that were out of this world!