Restaurant Review: Amigo’s

I saw the menu – “Home of the square taco” – and have to admit I was intrigued. I am in constant need for a good taco joint, preferable one that has amazing food and is cheap. They are hard to come by in Florida. When Amigos opened, I was optimistic and trotted over to have lunch. Apparently, the word is out because it was pretty crowded when we were there.

Amigos is sort of a hybrid fast food/sit down restaurant. Much of the food is prepared ahead of time (chicken, beef, etc.) and the fish and shrimp are, apparently cooked to order. There is table service to bring you food and beverages – beer, margaritas and, frighteningly enough, wine. Service is friendly and efficient. But how is the food? Good. Everything is tasty, and the menu is what you would expect: tacos, burritos, nachos. As for the square tacos, and the claim that the hold more filling? I don’t think so.

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine, who happens to make spectacular enchiladas, about the state of Mexican and Tex-Mex food in Key West and in general. It is important to note that I was having this conversation while stuffing myself silly with said enchiladas.

Me: (Chew, chew, chew) Wow. These are amazing. What’s your secret?

Friend: Um, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret.

Insert eye roll here.

Friend: I cook the tortillas. You see, this is the problem with Mexican food: places don’t cook their tortillas and thus, are not as good.

Me: By the way, (gulp, gulp), the sangria is pretty amazing, too.

So, there you have it: it is all in the tortillas. regardless of shape, they should be cooked.

Would I go back to Amigo’s? Absolutely. It is fast, reasonably priced, and tasty. Would I rather have my friend’s enchiladas? You betcha.