And the Best Tacos in Kosciusko County Belong to ….

In case you haven’t heard, there was a taco contest going on this summer in Kosciusko County to find the best taco within our county’s boundaries. No, it’s not the one currently being hosted by the county’s visitor’s bureau. It was held by a baker’s dozen of taco-loving, salsa-dipping, refried-beans-scooping peeps just like me and you. The self-proclaimed “taco judges” traipsed all over the county, winding their way around unending lakes, dashing deer and spilled margaritas in search of the best taco served in a food truck, restaurant, grocery store or other eating establishment.

food-1355836_1920

Eating tacos and living that food truck life!

Labeling the taco competition as the “Savor K County Taco Tour,” the judges sampled tacos from over a dozen spots with each stop including various takes on the classic Mexican dish. No, Taco Bell wasn’t included so if you were hoping to see this bastardized take somewhere on this list you can just stop reading now and go back to squeezing your “authentic” fire sauce haphazardly all over the place.

Thanks to our neighbors who hail from a Mexican lineage/background, traditional tacos weren’t hard to find. From Cardoso Café to Carniceria San Jose, the taco judges judged each taco based on a weighted scale of characteristics which included the following:

Tortilla – Does it hold everything together without falling apart? Slightly charred handmade corn (good) or steamed flour (not good)

Protein – How does the meat/chicken/fish/nopales etc. taste on their own? How is the texture?

Salsa (red and green) – How does it taste on its own? For example, green salsa should be refreshingly tart and thick and rich in texture. How does it add to the taco? If offered, how is the guacamole?

Toppings – Does it come with finely minced onion, chopped non-wilted cilantro and a lime slice? How do the toppings contribute to or take away from the overall balance of the taco?

Presentation – How does it look? If at a food truck, is it securely packaged without creating a mess? If at a restaurant, does its first appearance “wow” you or is it a messy scramble of ingredients? Is it warm or does it feel like it’s been sitting in the kitchen for a few hours?

Overall Taste – After all the above, how does it taste?

When it was all said and done, there was once place that sat squarely atop the mountain of corn tortillas, salsa and protein – Taqueria El Comal. With one judge blathering on about their steak, chorizo and al pastor takes and others describing them as “simply perfect” and “heaven on a plate,” the small restaurant on East Winona Avenue in Warsaw was the clear favorite in our contest.

18118996_1185755244881100_3900943616450843329_n

We have a winner! I’m getting hungry just looking at the tacos from Taqueria El Comal.

Honorable mentions went to Carniceria San Jose’s pork tacos (“I can grocery shop while I wait!) and the Tacos Jalisco food truck (convenience and “Seriously, that lake view!”). The grilled chicken tacos at El Faro (the Rozella Ford golf course location) also received a special shout out as one judge asked for and received a traditional style taco with onions, cilantro and limes that was served with a different salsa.

 

The contest is over, the taco judges are retired and summer is coming to a close. If you’d still like to have a say in determining the county’s best taco, though, you can head over to the Kosciusko Taco Wars site and vote for your favorite taco restaurant. Or we’ll just save you some time and tell you that El Comal will win.

You read it here first.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d12001.53542227841!2d-85.8449287!3d41.2351958!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xc7562d135338af33!2sTaqueria+El+Comal!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1501259114356&w=600&h=450]

Tags: foodie, indiana, kosciusko, tacos

Categories

Places to Eat

Places to Stay

Beaches & Lakes

Savor Kosciusko: A Culinary Expedition Through Local Flavor

In its second iteration, the Savor Kosciusko event is set to showcase the diverse local culinary scene that defines this region in Indiana. As a staple in the community, this event underscores the importance of bolstering the county's homegrown dining establishments....

Savoring Local Flavors – A Delectable Experience at Rocksteady Pizza Parlour in Downtown Warsaw

In the heart of downtown Warsaw, Indiana, a new culinary gem of a restaurant has emerged and its name is Rocksteady Pizza Parlour. This locally-owned establishment has quickly become a favorite among discerning pizza enthusiasts. My recent visit to Rocksteady...

HopLore Brewing’s Warsaw Location Becomes Ghost Spot Kitchen and Taproom

In a post shared to their Facebook page, HopLore Brewing announced a rebranding of sorts for their Warsaw location. The Warsaw building, located downtown on Market Street, will now be known as Ghost Spot Kitchen and Taproom. Still offering the popular HopLore brews,...

Winona Lake Named One of the Best Small Towns for Families

Previously named one of the 10 best small towns in the Midwest, Winona Lake recently added to its accolades by being named "one of the 12 best small towns in the US for families" by Travel & Leisure. In naming Winona Lake one of the best small towns for families, the...

Warsaw/Winona Lake Community Named Most Charming Small Town in Indiana

In news that will comes as absolutely no surprise to anyone who calls the area home, Warsaw and Winona Lake were named the most charming small town in Indiana by HGTV. Citing Winona Lake (the lake itself), the Village at Winona and the "concerts, performances and...

Restaurant Review – Cardoso 520

Labeling Warsaw's Cardoso 520 a Mexican restaurant might be selling it short. While Mexican dishes are part of the menu, you'll find much more varied fare than at other typical Mexican restaurants. With house specialties consisting of stir fry, salmon, steak and...

Westerhof Walking Warsaw – Guide To Shopping Downtown

Updated December 2023 If you're looking for a list of places to shop in downtown Warsaw, look no farther. From clothing boutiques to a jerky shop to furniture and tattoos, Warsaw's downtown area offers plenty of choices for those looking to scratch that shopping itch....

Find Something New and Unique at the Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisans Market

The Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisans Market, located in downtown Warsaw and open every Saturday morning until noon, hosts a vast array of vendors. Offering everything from cold brew coffee to crafts to cotton candy, visitors from the age of seven to the age of 70...

Main Street Warsaw’s First Friday to Host Taste of Kosciusko

Main Street Warsaw's monthly First Friday event will have a slightly different look this month as the "Taste of Kosciusko" will be the theme. Local food vendors will be offering their delicious wares to First Friday attendees from 5 pm to 8 pm this Friday, September...

Step Back in Time at This Warsaw Pizza King

If "Stranger Things" ever decides to advance its storyline one decade, the Pizza King on the east side of Warsaw would make a perfect backdrop. Seemingly untouched for the most part for the last 25 or so years, the seating area on the right side of the restaurant...
Buy me a coffee!