Discussion of Robin Garr's Taco Punk review

All I was trying to say was this: Much of the locovore conversation has to do with "choices," yet, often, I don't feel like I'm in the position to make a choice at all. Furthermore, I wonder what choices locavore businesses are making to force me to reconsider where that remaining money I have goes. Are they, for example, paying living wages to their workers? Or, on the other hand, are they paying the minimum they can pay because that's what the law allows (progress be damned)?

Likely if they are buying local, sustainable products they are supporting local wage earners and small businesses even if their own employees make minimum wage. So consider that. Not to mention that the product is likely healthier in that they have not passed through a factory, which also appeals to many people. Some may even eat there for social reasons. I can assure you many Jeff Rubys regulars are there simply to be seen.

The point is there are many reasons to decide to spend your money on a luxury restaurant brand. Not simply a high moral fortitude. If these reason do not appeal to you, do not spend your money there.

Thanks for the response, Jason. I've been thinking through these decisions for awhile now, so I'm always open to new ideas that will hopefully shift my thinking around.

All the sauces I tried tasted really good. My hand rolled tortillas split too easily, but didn't really affect my meal...it still made it to the right place. The problem I see here with the price is, why am I getting charged for high quality sustainable amish farm raised whatever when its not being cooked to order? Its just hanging out in a pan drying out. Doesn't make sense to me. The way isee it is they sacrifice quality for speed/execution, but still charge for quality. Easily fixed with slightly larger portions for value...or give up the Moe's style assembly line and keep it fresh.

I went there for lunch today and thought everything I had was damn tasty. Even though things were dipped out of labeled steam table pans, there didn't seem to be a large amount of product that would languish long with out being replenished with fresh product from the back. I didn't have any problems negotiating the line and whatever service issues they may have had in the past, everyone seemed to flow pretty effortlessly through the busy lunch rush. My taco platter and drink came to 12 bucks and change and I thought offered fairly good value for the money considering everything looked housemade except maybe the tri-colored chips that came with my meal.

Another observation. One of the other reasons that the prices may seem inflated to those not in the "Bizz", is the fact that they are using biodegradable recycled and plant based diposables. A sign on the wall noted that they are making a effort to be sustainable in all apects of the operation.
I know for a fact that using these products is A LOT more expensive than the normal plastic and polystyrene stuff.
As a matter of fact, I kinda added up in my head what was on my tray cost wise in disposable serviceware and figured there was easily about a buck and a half worth of throwaways that at any other place using the regular stuff would have only cost about .35 cents. What shocked me was they had this stuff just sitting out in the open where people can grab as much as they wanted. I've seen how people will grab lots of napkins, souffle cups, forks, etc.and either waste them or stuff them in their purses to take back to their desks. If it were me and my money running the place and I was using this stuff, you would have to ask the counter person for every little thing because I would be rationing it out like it was gold.

My wife and I visited Taco Punk for lunch yesterday. This was our first time dining here after deciding to give them a bit to work out the kinks detailed in the reviews. After reading several negative reviews I was worried about their longevity. Much to my surprise they were packed at lunchtime on a Wednesday.

We had fish tacos, a shrimp taco special, and a veggie taco. While their fish tacos do not come close to those at El Mundo, they were enjoyable. At $12.95 for a platter, probably won't get them next time. That's OK because there were at least four or five other items on their menu that I was seriously considering. The pineapple habenero sauce was great. The best item we had was the queso. The beer was nicely detectable and the consistency was very creamy.

I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. They thanked us for coming in and asked how our meal was when cleaning up. A little pricey for lunch but we will be back.