U of L Cardinal trashes Taco Punk

[Robin Garr]

There's a bit of collegiate world-weariness in her liberationist takedown of Nulu's gentrification, but the critic's analysis ... <deleted>.

Okay, I've re-read this. I DON'T think the critic's opinion about Taco Punk's fare agrees with mine. My rap (and that of many others) on Taco Punk has had to do with its counter service. Gabe's chef skills show in the quality of the food, and my original statement poorly reflected that.

Briefly restated, in its vicious review and in its sophomoric attack on NuLu and the cars people park there, this review is immature and amateurish. Sorry I didn't express this as clearly as I should have in the first post.

Taco Punk: Hey, Ho, Let’s Go somewhere else

She pulls no punches that is for sure, and a lot of what she says about the gentrification touches upon sentiments I have had since I was resident in the transforming NuLu.

Her review of Taco Punk focuses a bit too much on the definition of the word "punk," as it has several different meanings and those meanings have varied cultural nuance, but her take is unsurprising considering I would most likely have written a similarly vitriolic analysis of any business using the words "punk" or "alternative" during my time at the University.

Her actual critique of the food and experience (and bill), is pretty much spot on with everyone I have ever heard describe the place. Even those who say the food is top notch say that it is a tad overpriced and that the service is accidental at best.

I think I'm with her on this one, if Taco Punk were more of a $1-2 taco stand for the masses and not a hipster destination, it would certainly stand out more than it does.

I agree with the author that Taco Punk is mediocre and overpriced. However, I was completely turned off by the laughably eye-rollable tone of the article, as well as the sentiment of generic-rich-white- college-kid-rage-against-the-machine-holier-than-thou-angst.

It's been 7-8 years since I graduated from college, and I will admit to having been moderately douchey, but not like this.

There is a certain mentality that I notice occasionally on this site, where people can post opinions that I essentially agree with, but rap those opinions in so much misplaced self-righteous bufoonery that I feel dirty and ashamed for agreeing with them in the first place.

Of course, perhaps I am just such a self-righteous buffoon that I take offense to any strong-willed opinions that don't exactly mirror my own...

I too agree with her review (actual review, not diatribe) of Taco Punk, but perhaps part of the problem was that Anheuser-Busch/Inbev soapwater of a beer she had with her tacos! (tongue-in-cheek)

edited for clarification

We had a great experience in Taco Punk two weeks ago. There were no hipsters (whatever hipsters are) in sight on the Saturday night we went in. (This is not a dig at you, Ronnie - just an acknowledgement that that word means different things to everyone.) Just tables full of normal, non-hipstery families with kids, all appearing to enjoy themselves. We talked to a family who lives near us and were in there with their two young kids. They liked the place and their kids enjoyed their food. Our food was served quickly and with a smile. We enjoyed our tacos - between us we had a chorizo + potato, chicken mole, and a fish taco, with the fish taco being the best and the chicken mole being just OK. All the sauces on the self-serve bar were yummy - pineapple-habanero being a favorite. I tried the salad with Grateful Greens, creamy green chile dressing and fried pepitas and loved it. I got a big ol' pour of rosé for $5.75. I don't get the negative nastiness about the place. I heard some rough stuff about service at the beginning so we waited it out a bit and haven't experienced any of that. If you don't like the food, that's one thing. But some of the material in this is just too much. "I kid you not, as I ate, a Porsche Carrera was parked out front." Horrors!!! That says so much about the restaurant you're eating in! Or perhaps the restaurant next door, or down the street!! We get it. You're super-punk and know a lot about the origins of that word. Let's just hear about the food and service.

I think the reviewer missed the barber shop that just opened on Market. This is just a self absorbed economic illiterate trying to sound socially sophisticated in the process of reviewing a taco joint - brevity is usually a good thing.

generic-rich-white- college-kid-rage-against-the-machine-holier-than-thou-angst.

I-thought-I-had-patented-the-style-of-putting-dashes-between-words. You-must-not-have-gotten-that-memo. Does a nice job of getting ones point across though doesn't it ? Carry on.

There were no hipsters (whatever hipsters are) in sight on the Saturday night

....But....but...If you don't know what a hipster is....how do you know they weren't there ?

Maybe this'll help...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipster_%2 ... culture%29

Hipster.jpg

Hipster2.jpg

Fine, Steve. Should have said "whatever hipsters are TO YOU." The term is ridiculous at this point.

A few weeks ago I ate at Taco Punk. I thought the food, service, atmosphere, and beer were all good and I will have no problem returning there when I'm in the area.

The folks dishing up the food were friendly and very helpful in making suggestions and answering questions. I had the veggie mole, barbeercoa, and smoked chicken mole. Also a side of guacamole. For me the veggie was the best but they were all good and the sauces were interesting and tasty.

The tortillas did fall apart which, since I had been amply warned, was not a serious concern for me. I just used the plastic knife and fork. There was a decent selection of bottled beers and I had no problem choosing one (Negra Modelo). Do I think Taco Punk is over priced?

I know of no other place to find similar tacos - so no. I went to Guaca Mole recently and had the guac sampler and the taquitos. They were good. In my opinion, the food I had at Taco Punk was equally as good and was priced similarly.

I liked the simple guacamole at Taco Punk as much or more than the three I had at Guaca Mole. I was served much quicker at Taco Punk and I wasn't forced to listen to ridiculous live music.

I have no problem drinking Blue Moon (just leave off the orange slice). Oops there goes my Roger-bot status! I'll drink craft versions when available.

Last night I was drinking yeasty wheat beer at Apocalypse made by none other than Leah Dienes. Leah said that she is growing her own yeast for her next beer. She quickly clarified that statement with a laugh. We were relieved to hear it. After that guy from Dogfish Head used his own spit to brew beer it seems any line can and will be crossed. Cheers!

It was painfull to watch a hipster diss other hipsters- well, only a hipster!

Haven't been there, but truthfully if you weren't taking mosh pit knuckle-sandwiches in the 80's, you don't get to run your mouth about that. Or the day of the dead (look! I didn't google the thing, hoping to impress people with my knoweledge of wiki-sensibilities.)

Indeed, the whole thing kinda left me with this feeling...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mRAqbAtQ5I

(Am I getting warm?)

Also, judging people by what they wear and what they drive is awesome.

Also, judging people by what they wear and what they drive is awesome.

The Porsche owner is a good friend of mine and a long time supporter of the Louisville beer scene. I'm sure he was enjoying a pint at the Louisville Beer Store next door to Punk. He also lives in the neighborhood.

I think this review is hilarious and, for the most part, spot-on in terms of its critique of "NuLu" -- man do I ever detest that term. The only thing that rings kinda hollow to me is that NOFX always seemed like lame mall punk to me -- for the kind of kids who think Taco Bell is authentic Mexican, much less a place like Taco Punk.

And nothing against Taco Punk in general, or any other Market-area restaurant (most of the ones I've been to I've enjoyed! What a bougie jerk I am! So un-punk!), but I think the attitude exhibited somewhat in this thread that gentrification, cultural appropriation, and class structure shouldn't be discussed -- or if it is, is somewhat sophomoric at best -- is pretty wrong-headed. I know Louisvillians in general don't like to think about or discuss anything political in a critical way (why else would we have things like Mayor Fischer and NuLu to begin with?), but come on. These are real issues worth talking about, even if the discussion might be uncomfortable for some.

[Robin Garr]

... I think the attitude exhibited somewhat in this thread that gentrification, cultural appropriation, and class structure shouldn't be discussed -- or if it is, is somewhat sophomoric at best -- is pretty wrong-headed. I know Louisvillians in general don't like to think about or discuss anything political in a critical way (why else would we have things like Mayor Fischer and NuLu to begin with?), but come on. These are real issues worth talking about, even if the discussion might be uncomfortable for some.

I have absolutely no issue with any of that, Joel. I did get a sense that the author in this instance, though, might be a little short on life experience to fit comfortably into her pulpit just yet, but that may just be my Inner Codger talking.