Critic Rating: 9.5/10

Avo Taco opened a few years ago in the Bay Terrace Shopping Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing Terrace Diner, a long-standing family restaurant that had been there for years. Avo is a nation-wide chain known for its various different tacos as well as its waiterless dine-in order option. This Mexican restaurant is accessible to Townsend Harris students living in the Whitestone, Flushing, or Bayside areas. It’s an affordable option for students who want a quick bite to eat or for families craving Mexican take-out. This week, I chose the latter. Although I didn’t get the chance to visit the restaurant in person, I value take-out as a key factor in determining the restaurant’s rating. In this case, Avo Taco hit the spot, providing  my family with comforting, warm, and well-seasoned food. 

Avo Taco also provides catering services and ordering tacos in bulk. This is something that I have used in the past that has worked. The catering box comes in a make-your-own-taco style, something that appeals to people with different tastes and appetites. If you are looking for something to feed a large party, this should definitely be on the list.

Now let’s dive into this week’s order. My aunt opted for an Aloha Shrimp Quesadilla, one of their popular items. It featured blackened shrimp, jack cheese, caramelized pineapple, poblano crema, and cilantro. I am happy to report that all of these ingredients complemented each other beautifully. The jack cheese was flavorful and did not take away from any other elements. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth. Lastly, the pineapple, something I thought I would dislike, gave the dish personality and added a layer of freshness and sweetness to the spicy jack cheese. I would give this dish a 9.5/10 for its creativity and a 10/10 for its execution. 

Next, my mom chose “the carny,” a member of the pork family. This dish was executed well, but unfortunately is challenging to eat for anyone with braces, including myself. The dish was flavorful and consisted of braised pork shoulder, pickled cabbage, poblano crema, cotija cheese, and cilantro. This is one of Avo’s more simple tacos. However, we did notice it seemed to be a bit cold. Unfortunately, as not all the dishes were cold, the restaurant was to blame for this. I would give this dish a 8/10 for creativity and a 7/10 for execution. 

Lastly, I purchased three tacos: The Buffalo Soldier, El Flaco, and The Cowboy. These are my go-to’s for anytime I visit Avo Taco, and they are always delicious. My consistent favorite, however, is The Cowboy, which is composed of BBQ braised pork, crispy onions, BBQ sauce, and cilantro. For me, the cherry on top was the crispy onions, which added to the overall texture of the taco. Braised pork can oftentimes go wrong by being dry and chewy; however, The Cowboy does not fail to get the braised pork right. which is why a taco so flawlessly crafted deserves a 10/10! In the future, I would like to try The John Wayne, which seems to be the quesadilla version of The Cowboy. I am interested to see if its elements are composed just as good as its taco version. 

Restaurants that produce consistently good food are a rarity. I have ordered from Avo Taco over ten times now, and it is safe to say that the chefs at the Bayside location not only know what they are doing but also care about the food they make. Whether you are looking for a relief from schoolwork or are tired from shopping till you drop, Avo Taco is a good place to start.