Always eager to try a new place, Greg and I tried Nanataco in Durham recently. If you are unfamiliar with Nanataco, it is brought to you by the same people as the more schmantzy (upscale) Nana’s.

Now if you are looking for an authentic taqueria experience, you probably want to venture further north to N Roxboro Street and try Los Comales or La Superior. Nanataco is a bit more of a gringofied version of a taqueria.

I ordered the mahi fish tacos and Greg got the burrito with chili-rubbed pork butt. Although not the best Mexican food I have ever had, it was good enough and quite filling for less than $8 a person, definitely better than Moe’s or Qdoba for about the same price. I really enjoyed the pineapple salsa that came on the fish tacos and the fish was well cooked and not overdone. However, the liquid seeped through the soft taco shell and made it soggy. By the time I got to my second taco, I had to eat it with a fork. Perhaps serving the salsa separate could remedy this issue. The burrito was the typical “big as your head” burrito that seems standard these days and also quite tasty. Rumor has it their milkshakes are amazing, but we didn’t try one; maybe on our next trip to Nanataco.

Our crankiness doesn’t come from the food, but the setup of the menu. The menu is overwhelming and a bit confusing.

Nanataco offers a variety of meats, all of which sound great. However, when ordering 3 tacos, you are forced to only choose one meat (or so the menu indicated). 3 tacos of the same meat seems a little boring to me. Even if there were an upcharge, I would love to see the ability to either order tacos a la carte or choose 2 meats in a set of 3. You can actually get tacos of different kinds in one order, but this is not obvious or stated anywhere on the menu. Additionally, the fish tacos were only available in a pair in a meal (a meal includes rice and beans), I understand that mahi may be more expensive, but I would have liked the option to not have to get a meal.

Also confusing on the menu were the items “Chapel Hill Creamery Farmes Cheese” and “Agua Fresca.” I had no idea what the “cheese” was: Was it queso? Was it cheese added to my dish? What was it? And I have been to enough Mexican places to know Agua Fresca comes in many flavors, none of which were displayed or indicated. Especially for a counter ordering restaurant, the menu should be easy to follow and clear, Nanataco’s menu isn’t.

I will say the abundance of outdoor seating and the open inside does give Nanataco a nice al fresco airiness that is uncommon around here. Additionally, despite the lackluster view of a parking lot and Local Yogurt, Nanataco does try to give their outdoor seating some ambience. I have to give them props for not just setting some tables outside and calling it a day.

I can see Nanataco being a nice spot on a warm evening to sit outside and enjoy some tacos and margaritas.

Have you been to Nanataco yet? What did you think?

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