Restaurants in the Highlands come and go faster than you can find a parking spot on Bardstown Road. The location of the new El Taco Luchador Taqueria has seen a great deal of change, most recently housing the Lil Cheezers brick-and-mortar store.
A luchador is a visually appealing Mexican wrestler, typically decked out in a colorful costume—a good mascot for El Taco Luchador’s menu. I ordered the Tinga taco ($2.50) which was a flat, corn tortilla dressed with guajillo braised chicken, queso fresca (Mexican white cheese) pico de gallo and guacamole. I also ordered the Carnitas taco ($2.50), a corn tortilla spread with crispy pork, tomatillo salsa, pickled onions, guacamole, queso fresco, crema and cilantro.
At an employee’s recommendation, I also ordered the mole fries: French fries topped with a sweet mole sauce, queso fresca, cream and cilantro. You’re going to have to get these to experience the authentic Mexican flavors that can be found in most of their entrees.
The menu is set up to be primarily ordered a la carte, with prices ranging from $2 to $8. Items available include about nine different tacos, multiple sides and Tortas: Mexican-style sandwiches. On each table are two bottles of house-made sauce: the arbol sauce, a tangy red chile hot sauce and the jalapeno sauce, a sweet-spicy green sauce. To wash down your meal, they offer fountain drinks and bottles of Jarritos, a popular Mexican soft drink that comes in flavors like guava, lime and tamarind.
The restaurant atmosphere isn’t the greatest. The tables are tight and there isn't much seating. Perhaps this problem will be alleviated when the patio out front opens in warmer weather. El Taco Luchador is cash-only for the moment (as of January 5) while they are setting up their credit card processing.
I've been looking for a better alternative to Taco Punk in Nulu; I think I've found it! El Taco Luchador Taqueria is a great concept and it’s just what the Highlands needed: unique, cheap and tasty.
