Taqueria Del Sol

Debra's last full day in Atlanta was Friday. Debra remembered eating at a Mexican inspired restaurant with Rachel years ago but could not remember the name or location. Rachel's memory of this place wasn't much better other than the food being outstanding but she did remember it being called Taqueria Del Sol but couldn't remember the location but she said it was near a toy store and kitchen shop that served dessert.

Debra's CIA personality surfaced which I haven't seen in a while. It came in handy on this trip and she discovered the exact locale of the three in the metro area by using her skills that she has finessed over the years just using the bits of information that Rachel could deliver.

After a brief shopping stop at Buckhead Station we headed to Atlanta's West Side for lunch. It was absolutely scrumptious. We arrived to find ourselves having to wait in line. No problem. This gave me time to decide on what I needed to order. I chose the Nutty Shrimp taco and Beef Brisket enchilada with a side of turnip greens. Debra opted for three tacos.......Nutty Shrimp, fish and the Memphis. We began our indulgence with a starter of Salsa Trio and guacamole.

The salsa trio consists of a nice, fresh, mild, and chunky style salsa. A roasted tomato salsa and a tomatillo salsa. My favorite was the fresh mild salsa. When I say it tasted fresh.........it was as if they plucked the tomatoes straight from the vine out back and blended onions, lime and cilantro to create a salsa that would be satisfying as a meal......with tortilla chips of course. The guacamole was just as fresh tasting and yummy. I would have been content just eating salsa, guacamole and chips for lunch.

The highlight was the deep fried nut crusted shrimp filling the flour tortilla and lightly coated in a honey-habanero mayonnaise. The mention of habanero invokes images of burning, stinging, torture but this was not the casea. With some hidden magical talent this mayo was infused with flavor and not the dreaded fire breathing dragon that habanero's are famous for. The enchilada was just as tasty with the beef red chile sauce, once again loaded with chile flavor and just the right amount of heat........just as the spring day it was in Atlanta.....the right amount of heat.

It was so yummy, I took Brian there for lunch today as well. He loved it and thought the Nutty Shrimp taco topped the list as well.

By the way, the "kitchen shop" located nearby was awesome. Not only do they have an assortment of nice bowls, plates, and other kitchen items but an artisanal cheese shop, butcher shop with italian meats and sausages and a small prepared food selection that serves their homemade fried chicken. This chicken was a true southern style fried chicken. First they brine it for a day and then marinate it in buttermilk for a day before coating in flour and deep-frying it. I discovered this after Debra and I finished our meal and I had to try it.......just one fried chicken leg. It was just as though I was transformed to a Southern Belle's plantation kitchen eating what the kitchen staff prepared for dinner on Sunday afternoon.


Salsa Trio