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Taco + Pina

Wow.  Actually able to try out a new restaurant which opened during quarantine -- and it was terrific!  Yes, I got take-out, but that was an advantage as I was able to sample a much wider range of menu options.  This place isn't just vegetarian-tolerant, it is downright friendly and the chef seems to embrace the idea of going beyond the expected in this type of cuisine.  A wide variety of dishes are marked as being vegetarian or vegan.  We start with the cheese dip which is not your typical electric orange stuff which echoes the artificiality of Velveeta.  No, this is a much less refined but far better tasting dip which seems to have a base of crema, cojita and roasted poblanos.  Honestly, I could have eaten it solo with a spoon.  The chips are equally nice being made onsite, and were still warm when I got them home.  Nothing here is what you would expect ... it is better.  The Empanadas are my favorites with light and fluffy exteriors which reminded me of french pastry.  The filling is fresh and tasty and the smoky creamy salsa very different than your typical offering.  A really nice balance of flavors with just a touch of heat.  The Taquitos were larger than expected, and there were four of them, so, yes, this could be a meal.  Again the presentation is unique.  They are stuffed with the well-seasoned potato, queso and poblano and served on top of the beans, with a side of spicy, tangy cabbage which is faintly reminiscent of Kimchi.  The soft tacos have multiple veggie options, unlike some other restaurants (I'm talking to you, Tortas y Tacos) including a surprise or two.  I simply had to try the Chile Relleno, which is, yes, an open Chile Relleno in a soft taco (so good ...)  The Crispy Masa Tofu Taco was equally delightful, with a great mix of ingredients.  The only problem was that there were so many stuffings that I could barely hold it closed to eat it.  As a kind of a dessert I got the Honey Roasted Plantains and Crema, which were plentiful, large and perfectly cooked, the salty crema blending well with the sweetness.  The price was right.  I got three meals' worth of food for $45 with tax and tip.  My one complaint is an odd one.  The Guacamole.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't great.  It just "was".  Avocado with some tomatoes, it had neither tang nor zip.  It seemed strange to me that a place which has a full page of mixed drinks wouldn't have a better guac, especially since everything else was outstanding, but I guess every restaurant has an Achilles Heel.  In any case, I loved this place and it is already on my list of "regulars" as we continue down this bizarre recovery path to normalcy.

A Fast Casual Mexican Fusion restaurant, with an emphasis on fun
4041 Campbell Ave, Arlington
https://www.tacoandpina.com/

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