Tacolabs in Parkland. {Photos by Han Okcuoglu}
Tacolabs opened up their third location off 441 in Parkland. It replaced a longtime mainstay of that plaza, Blue Agave. We used to go for some inexpensive, very good carne asada and fajitas. What we found in Tacolabs is an upgrade in most ways, especially with their Indian fusion items.
We happened to visit on Thursday, which we were quickly informed is dubbed Thirsty Thursday, with half-off drink specials. The margaritas are perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing. Smooth and crisp. The passionfruit and especially the watermelon were phenomenal. I also enjoyed their twist on a mule called the Cancun Mule. The Sangria fell a bit flat, though.
Signature Trio
We started with the Signature Trio ($17.99), which consisted of crunchy, fresh chips accompanied by three sides. The guacamole was a bit bland. The salsa was sweet, and then some spices kicked in, which was fun. The queso Blanco was pure liquid gold and the most enjoyable.
Lemon Pepper Wings
I can’t help myself when I see wings, I order them. Much to my surprise, these are some of the juiciest, flavorful wings around. We ordered 10 pieces ($16.99), and our waitress was accommodating, allowing us to order half and half so we could try different types. The Mango Habanero combined sweet mango with a low, pleasant heat that lingered long after I finished. I noticed this sauce popped up all over the menu with tacos and burritos, so find it and order it on whichever item you prefer. It’s really great.
Mango Habaner wings
The lemon pepper wings I expected to come out dry, but instead, they were coated in a tangy, sharp lemony sauce that was complex and also had a hint of heat: nothing uncomfortable, but just the right amount. I can’t imagine visiting Tacolabs and not ordering their wings to start every time.
Taco Platter with New Delhi Tandoori Chicken on the left and thr Korean BBQ in the middle.
I expected the tacos ($14.99 for a platter of any three) to be a core namesake item that transcends the wings, but I was a bit disappointed with the tacos, which ranged from average to above-average, with the exception of two standouts. For example, almost every taco I’ve had has a superior version somewhere else. The Birria tacos just lacked that deep, rich satisfaction when slow-cooked birria is done right. The same applies to the traditional consommé it came with. The beef brisket was good, but nothing to write home about.
The Korean BBQ was a bit too wet, and it felt as if the crema also overpowered it a bit. I prefer a more compact, tighter bite like at Tacocraft in Coral Springs.
However, again, there were two standout tacos. The New Delhi Tandoori chicken had a ribbon of yellow paste, both vibrant and earthy. The chicken itself was marinated in a tandoori oven and baked with masala and different spices.
The Godfather Taco
The other winner was The Godfather ($5.99). It’s only available separately as either a taco or a burrito. The photo doesn’t do it justice. It’s essentially a very tasty chicken parmesan inside a taco. The plum tomato sauce was bright, and it was so unusual and unexpected that I spent a minute chewing, trying to figure out why it seemed so familiar.
Pineapple Sear Fajitas
Instead of ordering regular fajitas, we opted for the Pineapple Sear Fajitas with steak ($19.99). The steaks were cooked to perfection in a bed of thinly sliced onions and sweet peppers. You can still get a subtle grilled pineapple flavor if you don’t add a slice to your fajitas. But it’s a richer experience if you add the charred pineapples.
Despite the numerous options in the North Broward area, we haven’t found that one Mexican spot that we crave, one that makes us get up and get out of the house. But that’s not to say this is somewhere to avoid. Quite the opposite, most items are very solid if not spectacular. Those great dishes like wings and Indian fusion will have us coming back for a budget-friendly and tasty return.
Tacolabs
7619 FL-7, Parkland, FL 33073
Monday – Closed
Tues – Fri – 11:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Sat 12:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.
Sun 1:00 P.M – 10:00 P.M.
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