More than Mexican: Here’s what’s on the menu for Crave Taco Week
Lexington loves good tacos. Which is why Crave Taco Week took off like a firecracker when it debuted in last year.
Now it’s back, it’s bigger and it is way more than Mexican.
Are you ready for Asian/Cajun/creole tacos? Italian meatball tacos? Tater Tot tacos?? DESSERT TACOS???
Kinda thought so.
There are plenty of traditional options from street tacos to gourmet, with several fish and vegetarian options too.
All participating restaurants will have unique taco specials for $5; in most cases you get two tacos. Exceptions are noted.
Crave Taco Week, a Smiley Pete production in partnership with Casa de la Cultura Ky, runs March 2-8. Restaurants will donate 50 cents from every order to the non-profit, which teaches English and Spanish and hosts cultural programming such as a children’s mariachi band which you might catch performing at some restaurants during the week.
“Lexington’s first taco week in 2019 was a great success for participating restaurants and taco fans,” said Theresa Stanley, director of Crave Taco Week, in a news release. “We heard the taco chants loud and clear.”
There are 25 participating restaurants; hit them all and submit your taco passport and you could win free tacos for a year. And, as always, you’re encouraged to buy more than just the taco specials.
Lexington Taco Week restaurants, menu
▪ Chipotle Tinga: Chipotle chicken on a soft corn tortilla topped with roasted onions, queso fresco and creamy cilantro sauce. And Garibaldy al Pastor: Al pastor roasted pork and shrimp on soft corn tortillas topped with fresh roasted pineapple and cilantro radish salsa. At El Antojito, 565 East New Circle Rd.
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▪ Pastor con Queso: Pastor (grilled pork) on a bed of cheese with chipotle salsa, pineapple salsa, fresh pineapple, pickled red onions and cilantro. And Chile Relleno: Roasted red jalapeno stuffed with goat cheese, queso fresco, pico de gallo, avocado salsa, crema and cilantro. At La Taquiza, 130 West Tiverton Way.
▪ Tacos de Camarones: Crispy flour tortillas with shrimp, cilantro-lime infused slaw, fresh pico de gallo, spicy aioli, scallion and grilled lemon. At Palmers Fresh Grill, 161 Lexington Green Circle.
▪ Pork Tacos: Tender pork made with authentic cochinita pibil recipe. Tacos Al Pastor: Citrus-seasoned pork with grilled onions and pineapple served with a side of green salsa. Or Veggie Fajita: Bell peppers, onions and tomatoes seasoned and sauteed. Choose any two. At Mi Pequena Hacienda, 3501 Lansdowne Drive and 110 Cynthia Drive in Nicholasville.
▪ Lunch Lady Land: Tater Tots smothered in smoked sloppy Joe and cheddar cheese, topped with housemade pickles. At Bear & The Butcher, 815 Euclid Ave.
▪ El Gran Choose Two: Al Pastor, Barbacoa, Pollo, BBQ Pork or Pork Carnitas, served with cilantro, onions and lime. At El Gran Tako, 1801 Alexandria Dr.
▪ El Rancho Choose Two: Dorados de Barbacoa or Mexican street-style tacos served with a side of charro beans. At El Rancho Tapatio, 144 Burt Rd.
▪ Get Your Mojo Workin’: Mojo and beer-braised pulled chicken topped with avocado and herb creamy slaw, fresh tomato and jalapeno. At Minglewood, 159 North Limestone.
▪ Beef Barbacoa: Double stacked soft corn tortillas with beef barbacoa, chopped onion and cilantro. Cauliflower al Pastor: Double stacked soft corn tortillas topped with cauliflower al pastor, chopped onion and cilantro. At Papi’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar, 818 Euclid Ave.
▪ Tuscan Taco: Meatball taco topped with marinara sauce, provolone, mozzarella, banana peppers and garlic aioli on a glour tortilla. At Lexington Diner, 841 Lane Allen Rd.
▪ Pork Belly Chicharrones: Pork belly chicharrones served on a corn tortilla topped with onions, cilantro and red ghost pepper sauce. At Corto Lima, 101 West Short St.
▪ Chicken Taco: Buffalo fried chicken topped with ranch & bleu cheese slaw, smoked cheddar and green onions on a flour tortilla. Pork Taco: Pulled pork with grilled pineapple, mole BBQ sauce, tangy slaw and cilantro on a flour tortilla. At J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar, 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle.
▪ Beef Bourguignon: Red wine braised beef with mushrooms and bacon, horseradish-rosemary mashed potatoes, crispy fried onions and parsley lemon gremolata. Banana Split Pie Taco: Banana split pie pancake taco with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel. The beef tacos are two for $5; the dessert taco is one for $5. At Azur, 3070 Lakecrest Circle.
▪ Carnitas: Pork tips with grilled onions and cilantro served with a side of roasted pepper salsa and lime. Tacos de Camaron: Grilled shrimp on lettuce, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos and chipotle mayonnaise. At Cinco de Mayo, 122 West Maxwell St. and 3031 Richmond Rd.
▪ El Cid Street Taco: Grilled steak topped with cilantro and onions served on a corn tortilla. At El Cid, 304 South Limestone.
▪ Tacos de Alambre: Boneless pork slow-simmered in beer and citrus reduction combined with bacon, mushrooms, red & yellow peppers, onion, pineapple, cilantro and chihuahua cheese sauteed with tapatio spice blend, served on a corn tortilla. At El Mariachi, 125 Towne Center Dr.
▪ Taco Plato Rancho: Steak taco made fresh with house made seasonings on a double corn tortilla, topped with grilled onions. It’s $5 for a single taco but it comes with rice and beans. At El Patron, 1765 Alexandria Dr.
▪ Wild Viet-Cajun Taco: Pulled Cajun sweet & sour chicken topped with a buttermilk citrus slaw, sprouts, avocado and serrano chilis tucked into a soft corn tortilla. Crispy Creole Eggplant Taco: Creole-spiced and fried eggplant straws topped with spicy cashew crema, avocado cilantro, chow chow green tomato relish and tomatillo buttermilk slaw, served in a soft tortilla. At J. Gumbo’s, 808 North Limestone.
▪ Tacos de Alambre: Two beef shish kabob tacos topped with cilantro, pickled red onions and Mexican fresh cheese, accompanied by tomatillo cilantro salsa. At Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurant, 1030 South Broadway.
▪ Chef Rob’s Fried Catfish Tacos: Beer-battered catfish fried and topped with housemade broccoli and zucchini slaw, pico de gallo and remoulade. Chef Rob’s Vegetarian Tacos: Refried beans, Spanish rice, sauteed pepper and onions topped with pio de gallo. At Pub & Grill, 4379 Old Harrodsburg Rd.
▪ Voodoo Chicken: Crispy chicken tenders, spicy aioli sauce, shredded cabbage, cilanto, pico de gallo, with corn creme brulee. One taco plus fries. At The Chop House, 2640 Richmond Rd.
▪ The Bananarama Taco: Spotz banana pudding gelato nestled inside a housemade pink waffle cone taco, topped with caramel sauce, whipped cream and vanilla waver crumbles. One taco for $5. At Spotz Gelato, 128 North Broadway.
▪ The Becky: Double shelled taco filled with honey tequila chicken, mac ‘n cheese, sweet & spicy bacon, tomato, agave & chili BBQ jam, and tobacco onions. Or The Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger: Double shelled taco filled with ground beef, ketchup and mustard seed, queso, lettuce, tomato, white cheddar and diced pickles. Or The Crazy Karen: Vegan taco featuring a double shell filled with veganaise apple slaw, BBQ vegan Italian sausage, rattlesnake sauce and pickled onions. Choose any two at Agave & Rye, 3535 Nicholasville Rd.
