Taco Tuesday: El Chicanito

The purpose of this weekly feature is to uncover hidden gems, places that aren’t lit up with giant neon signs and featured in half page ads in the Yellow Pages.

And by stumbling upon this Clearwater restaurant, we can definitely say “mission, accomplished."

El Chicanito is located on the west end of Gulf to Bay Blvd before it merges into Cleveland Street, it is unassuming to look at from the outside and if you’re not paying attention, you could easily drive right by it.

But once you know it’s there, you’ll be sure to stop in.

Step inside the door and you are greeted with a colorful Mexican motif, with hand-painted murals on one side and a newly-constructed cantina on the other.

The restaurant sits close to 100 people, thanks to large booths running down both sides and tables that seat six lining the center, but it feels more intimate than cavernous.

A couple of flat screens hang at one end, and a DJ area sits tucked into an upper corner, signifying the place probably gets jumping on some nights.

But the reason we’ve come of course is to sample the tacos, and El Chicanito delivers in the food department just as well as it does with the decor.

The menu features nine different kinds of tacos, including steak, chicken, chorizo and pork. All feature generous chunks of meat, and come with thick homemade tortilla chips and salsa.

On Thursdays, the chicken, pork and beef tacos are $5.99 all you can eat.

This week I decided to be daring and try a Mexican specialty, a tongue (Lengua) taco. I must say it's not as bad as it sounds; in fact, it was quite tender and tasty, with an almost sweet flavor to it.

The tacos come in either traditional - authentic – form, with just cilantro and onions, or you can order them Tex-Mex style, with cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. This is a nice touch for those who enjoy their tacos a bit more “Americanized."

Wash it all down with an imported or domestic soda, juice or beer and you’ve got the makings of a delicious afternoon meal.

And don’t forget to rub the Mexican Buddha’s belly on the way out.

Take a bite:

Los Chicanitos

1478 Gulf to Bay Blvd

Hours: From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday.

Call: (727) 446-2402