By: Rachel Nelson
If you spend a lot of time in northwest Amarillo, you have probably noticed a new and unique Mexican restaurant that is exclusive to our city. The doors at Joe Taco opened on September 17, and co-owner Kyle Johnson said business has been booming ever since.
"The public's response has been overwhelmingly positive," Johnson said.
"The public's response has been overwhelmingly positive," Johnson said.
Upon entering Joe Taco, customers will first notice the aroma of real Mexican dishes filling their nostrils. After looking around, they will see an atmosphere filled with a classy, Mexican decor. The paint and decorations are bright and fresh, but not tacky or cluttered, Johnson said. According to Johnson, Joe Taco strives to be different from other "cookie cutter" Mexican restaurants.
"We are anti Tex-Mex," Johnson said. "We make everything from scratch. Everything's fresh."
The new dining sensation, Located at 7312 Wallace Blvd., provides Santa Fe dishes, steaks, seafood and other traditional Mexican food. Johnson said that even the traditional selections are different from other Mexican restaurants because the customer can mix things up by choosing from six different meats and sauces.
"So you can create whatever you want," Johnson said. "I just wanted to create a menu that was a little different."
Johnson recommends that guests try the chile relleno. Joe Taco makes them with a pablano pepper stuffed with asadero cheese and a choice of meat, covered with a light, crispy batter and choice of sauce. He also thinks the green chile chicken fried steak and chicken fried chicken are worth tasting. They are covered with Hatch green chile sauce and asadero cheese, which is a melted smooth and creamy cheese with a medium bite to it, Johnson said.Joe Taco also serves an assortment of fresh fruit margaritas. Choices include mango, peach, pomegranate, rasberry and strawberry. "We also make our own sangria," Johnson said.
Joe Taco is a great place to unwind after a long day's work with happy hour taking place from 4-7 p.m. every week day. Pints of draft beer are available for $1.50 during this time as well as cheladas and micheladas. Those specials are available all day Saturday and Sunday.
Summer is heating up, and Joe Taco's outdoor patio is a relaxing place to enjoy it. There is a refreshing fountain and a bar right on the patio. An enclosed patio can be enjoyed as well, if that is what the customer prefers. Expect live music on the outdoor patio Thursday through Saturday nights.
Johnson said the prices at Joe Taco are very affordable."We're probably the least expensive full service Mexican restaurant in town," he said. "The average ticket is usually $10 to $10.50, and that includes the drink."
Those looking for a great place to work are encouraged to go to Joe Taco and fill out an application.
"We are always accepting applications," Johnson said. "Business is growing so we always need good people."
Paul Huddleson has been working at Joe Taco since a couple of months after they opened.
"I love my job here," he said. "It's a fun and exciting atmosphere to work in and there are good people to work with including good management."
The mixture of fresh, delicious food and drinks accented with an exceptional dining atmosphere and an even tastier price are sure to make any dining experience one to remember and more than likely one that will keep you coming back for more.