Following the establishment of a taqueria (pronounced ta-ke-ria) at Clarke Quay — the first in Singapore — Señor Taco has opened its second taco restaurant at CHIJMES. With a menu of authentic Mexican street food and tacos, Señor Taco Taqueria and Cantina is one place where you can immerse in true Mexican culture.

Decked out with wooden swivel chairs in the alfresco dining area, Señor Taco makes an ideal spot for catching up over tacos and tequilas on balmy days. Now, that’s what we call living it up! No wonder the restaurants are packed with expatriates.

The cosy interior is warm and inviting; a glass window separates the kitchen and dining area at one end, while a bar sits at the opposite end. You can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen, or catch the nifty bartender in action. Music videos play on the large screen in the background.

When it comes to food, authenticity can also be found in the form of hot pepper sauces: smoky chipotle, guacamole, jalapeno and habanero. The mild guacamole goes beautifully with almost anything on the tacos menu, while the hot habanero lends a kick that simply thrills the taste buds!

Tortilla chips

Complimentary tortilla chips are served here. Sided with fresh salsa — chunky bits of tomato, onion and chilli — the pairing bursts with flavour with each bite and is simply addictive!

The tortillas are made at Señor Taco’s own factory in Singapore, while the salsas are freshly concocted daily.

Queso fundido con chorizo
S$14++

Served on a hotplate, queso fundido con chorizo is composed of grilled cheese with minced pork. A north Mexican chorizo is used, which is evident of the authenticity of this dish!

Cheese lovers will salivate at the mere sight of the melted cheese — just look at that gold glistening coating! This dish is great on its own, but you can also team it with a tortilla.

Chicharron de ribeye
S$18 / 24++

The chicharron de ribeye is served in a stone bowl, with cubes of ribeye beef fried to a crisp exterior on a bed of guacamole. For those who prefer beef on the rare side, you will find this a touch tough and dry. The avocado-based paste is freshly prepared upon order to preserve the fruit’s vibrant green colour.

Quesadillas

Gringa Pastor (chicken quesadilla)
S$$11++ for two 6″

Worthy picks from the quesadilla section include the reasonably priced gringa pastor (chicken) and bistec (beef). It boils down to whether you’re a bigger fan of chicken or beef, because both are equally tasty and offer value for money.

Bistec (beef quesadilla)
S$$12++ for two 6″

Pirata
S$15++

The pirata is a 10″ tortilla — a larger quesadilla — filled with cheese, grilled beef fajita arrachera and avocado. The flank steak isn’t tough to chew and will satisfy fastidious beef eaters. The pirata is toasted till cheese is melted and gooey, then cut into wedges; this dish is great for sharing!

Tacos

Barbacoa tacos
S$12++

A selection of open-faced tacos is available, with beef and pork topping the charts. The Barbacoa tacos feature tender shredded beef that adorn petite-sized tortillas.

Carnitas tacos
S$12++

The carnitas taco is a must-have. Served on a bed of freshly sliced avocados, the hand-pulled pork is moist and expertly executed.

Baja shrimp tacos
S$12++

The baja shrimp taco scores points for its presentation. It is an open-face taco with beer-battered prawns, special creamy chipotle salsa and a mix of crisp salad. Great multitude of textures and flavours.

Tacos al Pastor
S$10++

Also highly recommended is the tacos al pastor, prepared “shepherd style”. It is the most famous and sought after taco in Mexico. The thin pork steaks are seasoned with an interesting spice mix of subtle garlic flavours and paprika which lends a reddish tone to the meat. It is a closely guarded recipe that only the experts can master. Apparently Señor Taco is the only Mexican restaurant in Singapore serving this dish.

Tequila

It is a Mexican tradition to have tequila with a meal. The spirit is said to aid digestion, dissolve fats and reduce cholesterol.

The noteworthy variety of tequilas — sourced and imported from Mexico — are displayed on glass shelves for your pick.

Tres Generaciones Reposado
S$10 per glass, S$180 per bottle

Anejo is the most costly tequila that is aged in wood for at least a year, and sometimes as long as 3 years. Despite its high alcohol content, the heat doesn’t hit you immediately. It begins with an earthy tone on your palate, and the heat kicks in seconds later after you drink it.

Charro Anejo
S$12 per glass, S$200 per bottle

The Charro Anejo on the other hand has a distinctive alcoholic flavour as soon as it hits your taste buds. Mightily potent!

Lime margarita
S$14.50

If the inebriating tequila shots are not your poison, an alternative will be the less intoxicating lime margarita. It is visually appealing with a mountain of fine crushed ice Tres Generaciones tequila and fresh lime. Don’t let the amount of ice fool you though; the alcohol content is still fairly intense.

For a memorable Mexican experience, Señor Taco offers authenticity in all forms, from tacos and sauces to tequilas and the overall vibe. If financial restrictions forbid your voyage to Mexico for its local cuisine, you will find Señor Taco a more convenient choice for an equally authentic experience.

Where can you enjoy the best Mexican cuisine in Singapore? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!

Señor Taco CHIJMES

Señor Taco Clarke Quay

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