Hi guys!!!!!!!!
So not only has it been a while since I did a restaurant review, it’s also been a few months since my last post, and let’s just say life has been life-ing! Lol!
Anyway, I’m back now, and even though we’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and life is more than a little crazy, and Istanbul is currently undergoing a complete lockdown - our first one since the pandemic started last year, I was able to do this review sometime in March!
I was craving tacos, and for some reason couldn’t order from the place I had previously ordered from on Yemeksepeti, so I did a quick google research, and found Taco Del Reyes. I took a cab from the Sariyer area of Istanbul, and headed to Beşiktaş where the map said it was located.
Interestingly, it was my first time in Beşiktaş even though I’ve lived here for more than a year. The cab cost 57TL, and it dropped me off at the Meydan, where a lot of cafes and restaurants serving everything from coffee to sushi are located.
Beşiktaş is one of the nicer areas of Istanbul. It has beautifully preserved Turkish architecture, lots of cafes and restaurants, a pier, and is in very close proximity to Nişantaşı and Osmanbey where you can get a good deal of shopping done after brunch/lunch.
Taco Del Reyes is a bit of a walk from the Meydan, and I had to stop and ask for directions a couple times to be sure I was on the right track. Upon finding it, I discovered a fascinating little spot tucked right under a residential building.
I’ve never been to Mexico, but it did feel like I was instantly transported to Mexico City as soon as I entered the quaint little restaurant. It certainly wasn’t anything like a regular Turkish restaurant, and if you ask me, they sure put a lot of heart in the decor. I even asked the waiter if the owner was Mexican, but it’s a Turkish owned restaurant.
It was empty, and I was the only customer the entire time I was there, but it is a pandemic after all, and I don’t know if they got any takeout orders. The service was great, my waiter was a pleasant and youthful who generally paid attention.
The menu was a sheet of A4 paper, with a list of all the items available. I originally wanted just tacos, but I decided to get a burrito too, since they offered it on the menu as well. If you know me at all, you know the churros were a MUST!
My waiter recommended the hard shell beef Taco and I ordered the soft shell minced meat taco. My burrito was the beef and minced meat burrito.
I ate the soft shell minced meat taco first, and it was quite simply delightful. The lettuce was crunchy and fresh, the meat had a very tasty sauce, and I tasted the salsa, before I even saw it. Now that I think of it, the guacamole definitely didn’t shine through, but it was amazing nonetheless.
I wish I could say the same for the hard shell beef taco, but it was rather dry. It tasted like a filled dorito, and I’m not the biggest dorito fan. The taco itself was juicy, I could tell from the sauce that was dripping unto my hand, but it didn’t quite feel juicy in my mouth, until I got to the part where the tanginess of the salsa came through. I think that it took too long to get juicy, so I wouldn’t recommend this particular item if you’re like me and you like juicy, messy food.
My first bite into my burrito introduced me to delicious gooeyness that the cheese had to offer, and upon my final chew before swallowing I tasted the rice. It was exquisite. I saw the beef before I tasted it, but a deeper bite revealed its taste. The spicy kick from the jalapeño also came through. I needed a napkin, so you know it had that JUICE, okay?!
I could only eat half my burrito, so I asked my waiter to pack up the rest and bring in dessert. As soon as the plate arrived I was greeted with that sinfully sweet scent of cinnamon sugar. It came with nuts, and a chocolate sauce that was light, but gummy enough to stick to the nuts.
I tried to identify the nuts by taste, but I’m not really a nuts lover, so I couldn’t tell. I do know that it was a very delicious combo tho. The churros were very yummy. Crunchy on the outside and crumbly soft on the inside. A consistency similar to buns, but softer. They also weren’t too sweet until you bit into a part with a lot of the sprinkled sugar. Baby, these were GOOD! I’m glad I saved the tummy space for them.
The bill came in this antique looking box that I thought was really interesting, lol.
After eating, I took a walk back to the Meydan, and on my way I found this cute black spot where you could take photos. I found a couple cute women there, and they helped me take a photo. I then walked to the Akaretler bus station which is the nearest station and took a bus home.
I went home a very satisfied and happy bunny. I’ll definitely recommend Taco Del Reyes if you’re in town, and you’re craving Mexican food.
Details:
Soft Shell Beef Taco: 18TL
Hard Shell Minced Meat Taco: 19TL
Beef and Minced Meat Burrito: 34TL
Churros - 6 pieces: 19TL
Love, Yoma.
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