Filtering by Tag: Tacos,Road Trip

Sneak Peek: Taco Daddy Set to Open in Stamford

Restaurant Openings Tacos Stamford Homepage

Andrew Dominick November 03, 2019

Fans of @dallasthewalpig’s Instagram account may have noticed that Dallas, a half Shar-Pei, half bulldog puppy signed a lease for a new taco joint in Stamford. Umm…what?!

Then the account switched over to @tacodaddystamford and fans, both locally and from afar, were undoubtedly confused.

What’s there to be confused about? If a dog opened a taco joint, you’d go, right?

That’s not what’s actually happening but that is the joke at Taco Daddy, a fresh idea by John Nealon, who you likely know from Fortina, and his fiancée Morgan Machette.

Fun Foodie Road Trip: 2019 Newport Mansions Wine + Food Festival

Features Events Road Trip

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson October 02, 2019

At CTBites, we bring you the latest news from Connecticut’s vibrant food scene. The state has a host of must-visit restaurants, farms, and food-inspired events. At the same time, there are wonderful things happening just over our border. Every September, Rhode Island celebrates the last days of summer with the Newport Mansions Wine + Food Festival.

35+ Places for Tasty Tacos in CT: 2019 Edition

Restaurant Features Best of CT Tacos Mexican Lunch Food Truck Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson September 28, 2019

October 4 is National Taco Day- and we have so much to TACO-bout before then! Delicious versions of these tasty handhelds can be found all across the state, from classic renditions to creative twists. Whether you’re in search for a hidden gem or a popular hangout, here are over 35 places where you can enjoy some great tacos to celebrate the “holiday.”

Hidden Mexican Gem: Azteca Restaurant in Bridgeport

Restaurant Bridgeport Mexican Tacos Lunch Brunch Kid Friendly Openings homepage Homepage

Andrew Dominick September 22, 2019

Hidden gems are the heart and soul of this site. I think the other CTbites writers would wholeheartedly agree that those “off the beaten path” restaurants or those that haven’t quite reached a mainstream audience yet, those are the ones that we get excited about the most.

Azteca Restaurant in Bridgeport is exactly the kind of place that gets my blood flowing. Its family owned, and still new as it opened during the summer. It also might’ve never come to my attention if chef Bill Taibe didn’t sing its praises to us after a random night out in Bridgeport and a cell phone search for “Mexican food near me.”

If not for a chef’s need for late night munchies, Azteca would not have been on our radar. With this information, Stephanie Webster and I rolled out to Azteca for an unforgettable midday Monday feast.

Malibu Taco Opens In Fairfield

Restaurant Fairfield Homepage Tacos Mexican Openings Lunch Cocktails

James Gribbon September 15, 2019

From the owners of The Sinclair comes one of Fairfield's newest eat-and-drinkeries: Malibu Taco. The indoor/outdoor space recently opened its doors to the Post Road just north of downtown close to Beach Road, and CTBites stuck our head in just long enough to have a few - yes - bites, and a drink or two at the bar. Here's a quick intro to what Malibu is bringing to the county seat.

Chef Dan Kardos Launches Flaco Taco Truck...$4 Menu (+ Lobster Roll)

Restaurant Food Truck Mexican Tacos Lobster Openings Homepage

Stephanie Webster April 07, 2019

Chef Dan Kardos (Liberty Rock Tavern, Oar & Oak) is rolling out something new for CT taco (and lobster) lovers. Kardos has bought himself another truck, and this time we’re talking tacos. Flaco Taco is the name, and Kardos is in the process of getting it ready for the summer season. The truck will be serving up $4 tacos and some tasty sides…but wait, there’s more…there will also be an epically delicious $24 Lobster roll (ya know…just ‘cuz).

Let’s talk about them tacos. CTbites have seen a preliminary menu, and Kardos admits things may change by June, but here is the basic situation. Tacos range from Crispy Fish with spicy slaw and lime, to Southern Fried Chicken with buttermilk ranch, and Braised Beef Shank with spicy tahini. Yes please. Sides will likely include classics such as street corn, Guac’ and his famous watermelon and cucumber salad (think Liberty Rock Truck).

Hapa Food Truck Opens Restaurant at Decadent Ales Microbrewery

Restaurant Brewery Burgers Tacos Filipino Openings Hawaiian Homepage

Andrew Dominick March 02, 2019

Over the past few years, Hapa Food Truck and chef/owner Chris Gonzalez have gained quite the following. I’m guilty of following up a few weightlifting sessions at Crunch Gym with a Hapa Burger or tacos when Gonzalez parked his trucked at the Priceline building. So, yes, I’m a fan just as much as all of you are. But every winter, Hapa goes into hibernation, leaving many of us yearning for warmer weather and his Filipino-Hawaiian inspired food.

Well, friends, you don’t have to wait for spring and tracking Hapa down just got a whole lot easier. Gonzalez now has a physical Hapa location in Mamaroneck’s new microbrewery, Decadent Ales inside of the popular craft beer store, Half Time.

Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand: Killer Dogs At This 90 Yr Old Roadside Dive

Restaurant Cheshire Hot Dogs Delicious Dives Kid Friendly Road Trip Burgers Comfort Food Homepage

Andrew Dominick December 04, 2018

Lately, I’ve heard a lot about Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand, a roadside dive that’s been open for 90 years and counting. Blackie’s came up in casual conversation twice; the founder of this site, Stephanie Webster, heard about it from a friend, then a friend of mine mentioned it. Shortly thereafter, Visit Connecticut posted a list of “8 Classic Summer Drive-Ins” with Blackie’s being one of the featured haunts. Well, now I had to check it out. That’s no coincidence, that’s a sign!

Cousins Maine Lobster Truck Rolls into Connecticut

Restaurant Food Truck Seafood Lobster Tacos Lunch Catering Homepage

Jessica Ryan October 21, 2018

On Wednesday afternoon the Cousins Maine Lobster trucked rolled into the circle at Bedford Square in Westport to offer their version of the perfect lobster roll. Although I hail from the city that never sleeps, my New England roots were planted well over 30 years ago having lived in Boston, and summered in both Maine and Newport. At the risk of sounding presumptuous I daresay that I happen to know a thing or two about what makes a good lobster roll. So when I was invited to try them out I couldn’t possibly say no.

MATCH Taco Opens Today in Black Rock, Bridgeport from Chef Matt Storch

Restaurant Openings Mexican Tacos Delicious Dives Take Out To-Go Bridgeport Homepage

Stephanie Webster September 13, 2018

Chef Matt Storch is at it again, this time with a concept that waxes nostalgic to his humble beginnings in the kitchen of the much loved Tex-Mex joint, "Tacos Or What?" in Westport. Tacos Or What was the local spot where Storch learned to love the business of food, and now, Match Taco is his latest venture going into the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport.

Storch plans to get back to his roots (yes, his grandma actually owned a restaurant in Mexico City) and get his hands into some serious tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas...all the Tex-Mex food you could want. Additionally Match Taco will be filling those weekend morning comfort food cravings with a full menu of breakfast sandwiches. Intrigued? Read on...

Heibeck’s in Wilton: American Roadside Fare Since 1931

Restaurant Wilton Take Out ice cream Burgers Hot Dogs Tacos Comfort Food American Lunch Kid Friendly homepage Homepage

Brett Levy July 08, 2018

Escape to a different era where comfort food is locally sourced, you are served with compassion and a smile on a garden patio, and you can experience a country feel that makes our fast-paced world slow down just a bit. This cute date (BYO), family fun and good vibe spot is something special to CT that you simply shouldn’t miss.

Heibeck’s in Wilton opened in 1931 and has been family run for four generations. Back then, George Heibeck and Katherine Dhly Heibeck stayed up all night to hand churn over 100 of their original ice cream flavors to perfection, and then served the creamy goodness to their loyal customers daily. Though their ice cream is no longer produced on premises, the family prides itself upon the use of local food sources.

Chango Rosa Eclectic & Creative Pan-Latin in Hartford (+ Killer Tacos)

Restaurant Latin American Mexican Cocktails Hartford County Hartford Lunch Tacos Homepage

Ramin Ganeshram February 18, 2018

There are a lot of good reasons to head to Hartford. I’m particularly love with the collection at the Wadworth Atheneum Museum of Art and its former director’s hoax-house mansion—two of the many things to do in Connecticut’s capital city where you can visit the home of quirky American satirist, Mark Twain.

No less unusual but equally inspiring is Chango Rosa a pan-Latin fusion restaurant in downtown Hartford situated within walking distance of State Capital Park across from Union Station.

Featuring an eclectic pan-Latin inspired menu and vibrant, fun décor Chango Rosa is less about authentic Latin foods and more about creatively using Latin ingredients and cooking methods as inspiration.

“We want our cooks to be cooks and our mixologists to be mixologists. We want them to explore their creativity first,” says David Gilmore, Chango Rosa’s Executive Chef, formerly of Infinity Bistro. “For me that’s about experimenting and finding unique ways to get the best out of the ingredients and flavors.”

The Engine Room In Mystic: Food and Atmosphere Worth The Drive

Restaurant Mystic Comfort Food Hot Dogs Lunch Brunch Road Trip American Bar Cocktails Homepage Burgers

CTbites Team January 21, 2018

One of my favorite new-ish restaurants to pop up in the culinary hot spot of Mystic, Connecticut is the hip Engine Room. This outstanding restaurant highlights fresh, unique food served in a welcoming, very Instagrammable atmosphere. Let’s talk through their scrumptious menu while settling into their comfortable seats and remarking on their friendly staff.

Whether you think brunch is overrated or not, you should find your way to the Engine Room for a leisurely Sunday brunch with friends. Set inside an open wood and brick interior, with metal chairs and shiny black leather booth seating, you’ll feel comfortable enough to linger over your meal, and unlike many crowded establishments, you won’t feel rushed by the staff.

Back to the menu, which has something for traditional sweet breakfast lovers and those who aren’t really into breakfast foods (oh, the horror!).

Crazy Taco Mex: From Truck to Storefront via Hey Stamford!

Restaurant Mexican Tacos Stamford Food Truck lunch

Hey Stamford! January 03, 2018

Josh Liva is no stranger to the restaurant business. He found his passion as a teenager, traveling over 2 hours to work at his uncle’s restaurant. It was there starting out as a dishwasher, that he developed his work ethic and style. It was through those efforts that he learned an important rule: “Treat everyone like family,” just like in Mexico.

With that in mind, Liva went on to open his first food truck – – Crazy Taco Mex – – almost 5 years ago in Stamford, a second food truck followed about a year after that …. and now, a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the heart of Stamford Downtown. Crazy Taco Mex Taqueria and Tequila Bar. Following the same rules of the truck by pairing quality foods with quality service.

The restaurant takes over space previously occupied by another long standing Mexican restaurant, Tacos Guadalajara. The space was outdated and in need of a bit of a face lift. With that, Liva and his family spent about 120 hours over 6 weeks renovating. The new space is colorful and playful, offering seating for about 50.

Read the complete article on Hey Stamford!

Traveling to Miami? Check Out Our Miami Restaurant Guide c/o MIABites

Features Miami Road Trip

ellen bowen December 20, 2017

The Holiday season is upon us and everyone is always asking us, "Where should I eat in Miami?" Here are some of MIAbites Contributors Best Bites for "am to pm" dining in and around Miami and Miami Beach. Dinner reservations are strongly recommended and should be made in advance if possible.

All of the Miami Beach hotels have top restaurants and prices to match. Jose Andres The Bazaar and Katsuya at the SLS South Beach, Scarpetta, StripSteak and PIzza Burger by Michael Mina and Hakkasan at The Fontainebleau , The Dutch and Mr. Chow at The W South Beach, Pao by Paul Qui and Los Fuegos at Faena and Jean Georges, The Matador Room at the EDITION, the newly relocated NOBU in the Nobu Hotel Eden Roc, are all popular and top picks where chances are you will have a delicious albeit expensive meal.

So by request, the MIAbites contributors put our heads together to flesh out the restaurant scene and to compile our suggestions for dining while in Miami.

Taco Gigante At Margaritas: Are You Up For The Challenge?

Restaurant Tacos East Hartford Mystic Mexican Lunch

Hope Simmons October 20, 2017

This ain’t your average taste of Mexico. We’re talkin’ a two-pound, 12-inch marvel—ay, Chihuahua! Look no further than Margaritas, with local outposts in East Hartford and Mystic. A crispy shell, light as air, is piled with everything under the sun: seasoned chicken, ground beef, pork carnitas, bacon, cheese, lettuce, refried beans—let me catch my breath here—Mexican rice, salsa fresca and queso, topped with hacienda and picante sauces, crema and pickled jalapeños.

The challenge is, can you finish it in one serving? We failed, but enjoyed the Taco Gigante even as leftovers the next day. Want to give it a try? Put yourself on the wall of fame (or is that wall of shame?!). But you’ve got to get there quickly. Taco Gigante rides into the sunset when October ends, amigos.

Margaritas is located at 350 Roberts Street in East Hartford and at 12 Water Street in Mystic.

Guide To Best Tacos in CT: Happy National Taco Day

Restaurant Tacos Mexican Best of CT Delicious Dives Norwalk Hartford Stamford New Haven Bridgeport Homepage

Stephanie Webster October 04, 2017

Here's our list of our favorite Taco Restaurants & Trucks in Connecticut. Feel free to add your favorites to the list below.

Rincon Taqueria (493 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk) From the owners of Bistro du Soleil in SoNo comes a menu that includes Huevas Rancheros, Burritos, Chilaquiles, Tacos, Empanadas, Tamales and a Chicken Quesadilla. All of their dishes pack great flavors. Mix and match the tacos, from Baja fish to pork, empanadas, generous portions. Fresh ingredients and complimentary yellow rice and beans. Pretty small deli-like space and BYOB.

Tacos Mexico (82 Fort Point St., Norwalk) Enchiladas, grilled specialities, lots of shrimp dishes, chipotle chicken tacos and the hot sauce is HOT-consider yourself warned, so you made need an Orange-Ginger Mojito (muy bueno). Plain from the outside, but pleasant inside, and very reasonably priced. Parking can be tricky. http://tacosmexicollc.com

Chango Rosa (1 Union Pl, Hartford ) This fun casual restaurant and cocktail bar serves a fusion of authentic Latin American street foods and the popular smoked meats from Bear's Smokehouse. The menu features foods such as empanadas, enchiladas, arepas, and tacos! The meats are divine. https://changorosa.com/

Bartaco's Ancho Steak Taco Recipe

Features Recipe Recipe Tacos Bartaco

Stephanie Webster September 09, 2017

Ever wondered what makes that steak taco at Bartaco taste oh so good? We've got the word on the secret seasoning right here. Heat up those tortillas and get the grill going because this is the perfect end of summer dish. For best results, we encourage you to source your Pico ingredients at your local farmers' market.

BAD SONS Brewery Opens In Derby: Designed For Guests

Ingredients Features Derby Brewery Beer CT Beer Beer Garden Road Trip

James Gribbon August 18, 2017

First of all: Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck, Shelton - in acronym, BAD SONS, collectively "The Valley." Once the manufacturing heart of an industrial state, the factories shut down to reopen out west, overseas, or not at all, but their brick shells remained. Once known for hats, watches, and artillery shells, there is new life to be found in old factories in the valley, which have become perfect incubators for the Connecticut brewing industry's baby boom.

The BAD SONS brewery inhabits a space in Derby just down the Housatonic river from the Yale crew team's boathouse, about 300 yds from the Dew Drop Inn. This coal-era brick monolith may be where "BAD SONS" comes to mean "Valley Beer."

Connecticut's Best Diners: 22 Great Greasy Spoons

Restaurant Best of CT Comfort Food Delicious Dives Kid Friendly Road Trip Homepage

Connecticut Magazine June 21, 2017

Connecticut Magazine recently rounded up the Best Diners in CT. Here's the list...

What makes a diner a diner? Is it stainless steel? A counter and stools? A building that’s been manufactured in a different location? Breakfast service 24 hours a day? To some devotees of the classic American diner, it is all of these things, and more. We’ve elected to be a bit more inclusive in our requirements. For us, a diner must offer typical American fare at reasonable prices in a comfortable setting, and perhaps most importantly, serve breakfast during all hours of operation. So get ready to hit the road to check out our picks for the best diners in Connecticut. Whether it’s the stellar food, the glistening metal, the glowing neon or the community feel, all have something to offer.