Sometimes we get a little skeptical when national chains come to town, but we’ve generally been delighted with some of our new additions: for starters, check out Dave’s Hot Chicken and Maple Street Biscuit Company.
Well, we’ve got another newcomer to add to the list, and after three visits we’re already becoming a bit obsessed: Torchy’s Tacos.
Torchy’s first opened as a taco truck in Austin, Texas, quickly became popular before growing to more than 100 locations across the country, from Arizona to Oklahoma, Colorado to Florida, North Carolina to now Ohio. Their first Central Ohio store opened last fall at Gemini Place in Polaris (in the former Corner Bakery Cafe), and they’re already working on stores on Route 161 in Dublin and Hamilton Road in Gahanna.
We’ve now made three separate visits, trying something a little different each time, and have quickly become fans. Torchy’s menu of “Damn Good” tacos seems overwhelming at first, but as you get to know it you’ll see that they offer a dozen tacos (no build-your-own options, get what they have), bowls, a burrito, some offerings for for children, chips and cheese, drinks.
For starters, their salsas are top notch, ranging from roja, tomatillo, poblano, chipotle, avocado and diablo.
After our visit, we took some social media flak for not ordering the queso. They were right to call me, and now it’s become standard to order the Hillbilly Queso, which adds chorizo to its already rich mix of green chiles, avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese and its fiery diablo sauce.
It’s as good as queso: creamy, salty, with a good kick from the chiles and devil.
All of Torchy’s tacos have fun names like Trailer Park, Mofaux, Tipsy Chick. All are sized and come with a side of salsa.
We’ve made our way through quite a bit of the list and haven’t had a bad time yet. Here’s the Gamba Baixa and the Green Pork from Chile.
Mr. Orange with blackened salmon and the Trailer Park with fried chicken.
Another look at the Baja Shrimp with lots of pickled vegetables.
Fried Avocado.
The Democrat and the beef Fajita.
And did I mention BREAKFAST TACOS? They also told me that we can’t lose them. Torchy’s has half a dozen breakfast tacos on the menu, starting with simple combinations with eggs, cheese and a choice of bacon, chorizo, potatoes or jalapeño cheddar sausage. But they also present three more forceful combinations. Pictured here is the Wrangler: eggs, potatoes, cheese, prime rib on a flour tortilla.
On the right is the Brushfire with Chicken and Mango.
And here’s the Ranch Hand: eggs, cheese, a lightly chewy marinated beef on a flour tortilla, served with a side of diablo sauce.
We welcome our new lords of the taco. Torchy’s is fun, great tacos and queso, fast and friendly service. It’s an easy win all around!
Torchy’s Tacos
1478 Gemini Pl.
Columbus, OH 43240
(380) 799-7775
Web: torchystacos.com/location/polaris
FB: @TorchysPolaris
IG: @torchystacos