Awesome Eats @ Soup and Taco

The soup and tacos are awesome but there is a lot more to try at this small restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg.

So many surprises await you when you step inside , a tiny and narrow restaurant on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg. For a tiny place, it packs a flavorful punch to the taste buds and a mental trip to South America.

In search of their Awesome Eats, it was presumed the offerings were going to be limited to a long list of soup and taco choices—an image of a parked taco truck came to mind (not that this is a bad thing, mind you). That image was dispelled within the first few seconds when I was presented with a fresh mojito with a good amount of mint leaves floating in the glass. Tex-Mex, Mexican, and Southwestern dishes were on the menu. I discovered that they also make a real Sangria using brandy, a special red wine that has a spicy flavor and chopped apples, it intrigued me. When I learned they make a white Sangria using fresh peaches, I made plans to return after work hours.

Daily specials like Mango Chicken Salad made with grilled chicken breast on a bed of mixed greens with diced mangos, grapes, tomatoes, tossed in mango vinaigrette and a drizzle of jalapeno dressing made for a refreshing choice on a hot summer’s day.

Guacamole is served with tortilla chips alongside a robust and flavorful salsa made fresh with roasted chipolatas peppers which gives it a smoky edge and pairs well with the smooth guacamole butter. Served up on top of green banana leaves are three handmade and stuffed with shredded chicken Empanadas drizzled with two cream sauces:  Jalapeno Crema and Cream Chipotle.  The appetizer could be used as a main course if you were to get a cup of the Tortilla Soup, which is the best I have ever had. The soup has chunks of chicken breast bathing in a light, but flavorful, chicken stock with diced avocado and onions and topped with hand-fried tortilla strips.

Pescado Envuelto en Tortilla is tortilla crusted Tilapia. The fish is a beautiful large piece, mild and moist. The flavors from the chopped tomato and corn salsa and squeezed lime on top of this dish kick it out of the park. Refried beans topped with cheese and the cilantro rice served with this dish make it one heck of a seafood dinner.

Their fabulous fish tacos are made with soft flour tortillas, cut and grilled Tilapia, citrus, cilantro, spices and a jalapeno cream sauce.  Pepper Jack cheese is sandwiched between two of the tortillas that holds the base of a crispy and crunchy cabbage slaw, all topped with Pico de Gallo. These are the kind of fish tacos real foodies crave.

The addicting side order of fried plantains is so good. I have had fried plantains from every country that it is native in and I can say that Soup & Taco’s is hands-down the very best. Plantains are in other parts of the world for breakfast, snack or dessert and in some cultures a staple at every meal through the day. Each piece is cooked past the caramelized stage and bits of that caramelized natural sugar is dark and crispy, encrusting the diagonally cut plantain slice. Creama Fresca is served alongside to dip them in—not needed, but so appreciated. Another way they serve them is fried green and crispy and served with an olive Tapenade and a Cilantro Lime Cream.

A Salvadorian specialty, Pupusa, are hand-made corn tortillas stuffed with pork and cheese or bean and cheese and served with Curtido and tomato sauce.   The shrimp and green pepper Quesadillas, steak or chicken Quesadillas, and cheese Quesadillas are on the appetizers list and are served with sour cream and Pico de Gallo. 

is a family owned and operated restaurant located at 813 Caroline St. downtown Fredericksburg, and is an Awesome Eats true find!  Please visit them and do tell them that you have come for their Awesome Eats as seen in Fredericksburg Patch.