Tarasco Mexican Restaurant

Elite '08

84

125

Katie S.

Seattle, WA

Holy crap, I thought this place has been closed for like 5 years.

EVERY time I drive by it looks closed...NO, I haven't actually gone to the door but, you know...driving by...

An older lady friend of mine used to take me here cause it was her fave.  I remember the food was okay.  The people were friendly.  
I barely remember it, honestly.

I mostly remember my friend getting gently wrecked on margaritas in the afternoon while her dogs waited patiently on the sidewalk.

This place still open???
Hmmm.
Weird...maybe it exists only for others, not for me.  Perhaps in an alternate dimension or something.  Maybe I need to cross my eyes when I'm looking at it or something.  

Any tips on seeing Tarasco?  Other than just, you know, going up to the door and pushing?  I'm a little freaked out to do that now.

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Elite '08

117

309

Carrie H.

Seattle, WA

Dee-lish Mexican?  check.

Yummy and tequila filled margarita?  Check.

Good music playing? check.

What else do you need to know?

You can bet your sweet ass we will be back.

**UPDATE 1/28/08**
Went back a few nights ago, and the service was horrendously SLOW.  2 hours sitting there to order, eat, and pay for 4 people?? OMGBBQWTF??  Knocked from 4 stars to 3 stars.  Treat me better, Tarasco, and you'll earn it back.

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Elite '08

24

329

Tammy W.

Seattle, WA

I love the little enclave on 70th just east of 15th Northwest.  Out of nowhere, right in the middle of a neighborhood, is a block of shops and stores and restaurants.  One of them is Tarasco, and I really wish I liked it there.

I went to Tarasco years ago, when the bar was still enclosed and it was a bit of a dive.  We went back and found they had remodeled, which gives the restaurant a nice, open feel.  That doesn't help the food though.

Have you ever eaten Mexican food in Great Britain?  Yeah, kinda like that.  The salsa tastes like Pace, the beans like paste.  No flavor.  Too much cheese and not enough substance.

We were there on a Thursday night, and the place was dead, dead, dead.  I don't think it has to do with the location at all.

The margaritas were weak and tasted a bit like soap.

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Elite '08

32

41

Anthony D.

Seattle, WA

This place is awesome! Thank you Yelpers for introducing me to this mecca of mexa!

I went here after reading the reviews of my fellow yelps and I have to admit they all pretty much hit the spot. Good food, good people, nice juke box, and a great staff. One think to note is that the food is pretty traditional so I am pretty sure there is lard in them there beans but that is probably why they taste so good! I had a combo with the pork tostada, beef taco, and cheese enchilada. The pork was amazing, the enchilada sauce was great and the taco was fine (how much can you really expect from a ground beef taco?). The service was slow because the place had a staff of one, but she did her best and we always felt well taken care of. More of a bar than a restaurant but that can be nice some times.

This totally made up for my huge disappointment from Taco Loco (the Ballard taco truck).

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Elite '08

111

328

Kimberley D.

Seattle, WA

Friendly neighborhood bar with decent Mexican food. From the $ on yelp, I was expecting something cheaper than $13 entrees, but it was a huge portion. I wouldn't go out of my way, but it's cool if you're nearby. Pool table & jukebox are also available for the entertainment-starved.

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Elite '08

45

58

Rylee O.

Seattle, WA

The first time I, and a friend, hit Tarasco for dinner there was only one person working behind the bar.  We ordered our food from their large menu and were expecting microwaved Mexican as we didn't know who would be cooking.

Much to our surprise the food is fresh and incredibly delicious.

Oh, I'm not a margarita drinker, but if you are you'll be able to smell the tequila when your margarita order is on it's way to your table.  Strong is an understatement.

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2

15

Kevin B.

Seattle, WA

Between house chores today I ran up to Tarasco to try it out.  It's nearby but I'd never been.  Unfortunately, they had a special menu for the "Seahawks Brunch" and the real menu was out of service until 4pm.  This special menu was a small, sort of odd mix of breakfast scrambles and hamburger type things.  While contemplating this I decided for a margarita, bottom shelf, which was pretty good.

I finally decided on the huevos rancheros which was a fried tortilla, 2 or 3 fried eggs, and a faintly chipotle flavored ground beef sauce smothering all, and a side of potatoes.  This dish actually tasted better than initial impression implied.  Was it the margarita talking?  I was on the 2nd by now.  The potatoes were excellent.  OK, I'd eat this plate again!

A third margarita!  Yeah, this place is alright.  It is kind of a dive bar feel but the patrons were all friendly and welcoming.  The bartender was also friendly and helpful.

I'm awarding just a 3 star at this time since I didn't really get to sample their normal fare.  And, without that, it was an ok, average place.  The price was real nice though.

Oh yeah, one more drawback, they don't have Tabasco Chipotle flavor sauce.  C'mon folks!

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10

417

willamina c.

Seattle, WA

so, uh, how did i not know about this place?

killer tostadas, good enchiladas, not going to whine about the tacos because i decided to avoid them and keep to the tostadas and enchiladas, which were good. the beans were good. the rice was gooooooood. i was expecting indifferent quality and though it was by no means perfect it certainly earned it.

and then there's the margaritas
which admittedly are amazing independent of the food.
equal in quality to jalisco's overall.

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Elite '08

129

184

Betsey S.

Seattle, WA

We live just down the block from Tarasco, and I couldn't wait to try the place out.  We kept repeating their sign, which says "Bebida Comida BAR", to each other in preparation.  You must say the BAR part with extra emphasis.  You'll find the owner manning the bar and greeting regulars pretty much every time you go.  The jukebox is free and filled with good tunes, Mexican and otherwise, and there are two pool tables out front.  The seafood dishes are really the standout of their menu to me, especially the spicy prawns.  However, there are days in my life when only a Tarasco cheese enchilada will do, and on days like that, I'm grateful I live down the block from this place.  They'll do take out for you but you might as well just stay and play some Johnny Cash and have a Corona.

When I'm out walking my dog and we pass Tarasco, when the sun is shining, their windows are all open and I can hear the juke box and smell some deliciousness coming from the kitchen, there is about a 50/50 chance I go get my husband and give in to the siren song of cheese enchiladas and beer.

I do wish that Tarasco had more of a wine selection.  There is only one red and although I drink it willingly, it'd be nice to see some worldly choices.

There's a definite neighborhood feel to Tarasco, it is a mellow and laid back place, great for dinner and pool.  I might or might not have drowned my post Super Bowl sorrows at Tarasco with some ill-advised tequila shots.  It's the kind of bar that is there for you when you need it.

Update: Tarasco now has karaoke on Saturday nights.  Those poor regulars, to their credit, have never, ever thrown anything at me or booed after any of my performances, including, but not limited to, 'Folsom Prison Blues' and 'You're The One That I Want.'  They are good people.

Further Update: I still freakin' love Tarasco.  I discovered last week that well drinks are a whopping $3.50 all the time.  Sometimes, may depend on who is bartending, these come in a pint glass!  Also, their Huevos Rancheros are excellent!

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32

65

Alex V.

Seattle, WA

The food here is pretty good and cheap.  It's a blue-collar bar and the regulars are quite humorous.  I would hang out there more but my friend was let go (did not influence my rating) for no good reason so I doubt I'll be back anytime soon.

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3

34

P K.

Lynnwood, WA

great  authentic mexican flavor in a cool neighborhood joint.  Enjoyed their bar and the jukebox as well as the food.  Go find this place soon.

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