Restaurant Review: Tacos and Dogs

Restaurant: Tacos and Dogs
Address: 75 Cottage Street East, Norwood, MA
Website: www.tacosanddogs.com
Rating: C+

Mexican food in the suburbs is pretty scarce, therefore the opening of Tacos and Dogs in Norwood Center captured my attention. The simplistic menu serves up tacos, burritos, hot dogs, or a combination thereof (burrito dog, anyone?). Their online burrito menu looks strikingly similar to Anna's Taqueria, which is about where the comparison between the Coolidge Corner landmark and this place ends.

I ordered a regular (10") chicken burrito which was crafted assembly line style. The tortilla was heated in a press and then assembled to my specifications (chicken, rice, salsa, hot sauce, jalapenos, cheese, lettuce, guacamole). I was a bit disappointed that the cheese wasn't melted into the tortilla a la Anna's Taqueria. I was also annoyed by the fact that not only did the guacamole look dated but it was meticulously scooped out to equal roughly 2 teaspoons. Tacos and Dogs upcharges for guac (typical of most burrito restaurants) and as such I should be able to see and taste the green avocado goodness.

I got mine to go and was pleased that the burrito remained warm after an 8 minute car ride. I like my food spicy and tend to go overboard with hot sauces. However, even with the extra hot sauce and jalapenos, my Taco and Dogs burrito was still bland. The fact that my burrito was warm and I was cold (and hungry!) made up for the fact that it lacked the spicy blend of vegetables, cilantro, tomato, chicken and guac I expect from a 10,000 calorie Mexican fast food staple.

Even with the additional guac charge, my burrito rang in at $4.94 which is a downright dining bargain. Tacos and Dogs won't be winning any culinary awards soon but it's cheap, local, and should tide me over until the Chipotle in South Norwood opens in early 2009. Tacos and Dogs is tucked away behind Norwood Center at 75 Cottage St East (near the Fiddlehead Theatre). Free street parking in and around Cottage St is widely available.