These days everywhere you turn there's another Mexican place looking to run you through the line of burrito and taco "customization" for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. Now, West Palm Beach has a new option: Taco Vida, the assembly-line free fast and fresh place to order up all your Latin-inspired favorites.
Established in 2009, Taco Vida founder and owner Silvia Martoy worked in the hospitality industry before opening her first restaurant in West Palm Beach's City Place in 2012. Today, Martoy is the proprietor of two establishments in West Palm Beach -- including the original location that relocated to the city's Village Commons shopping center -- and a three-month-old location in the space formerly occupied by Five Guys off Clematis Street in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach.
Martoy, who is planning to expand the Taco Vida concept across South Florida, has put her own stamp on the fast-casual theme, taking the made-to-order approach -- a welcome departure from the assembly-line-style ordering that has become the trademark of most Tex-Mex fast food dining establishments.
Named for the Spanish word "vida" meaning "life," Taco Vida says its concept is focused on providing high-quality food and quality service. They also offer a complimentary salsa bar, allowing you to customize your order with a variety of "hand-crafted" signature salsas and garnishes prepared daily. Choose from a sweet mango version, or go spicy with a tomatillo or roasted pepper, while sides include fresh pickled carrots and chopped cilantro.
The menu has everything you'd expect, including a dozen different burritos sized 8-inches (regular) to vida-sized (14-inches) and priced $5.95 to $13.75. There's also a selection of quesadillas, empanadas, chimichangas, taquitos and -- of course -- soft and hard tacos -- everything priced under $15. Specialty entrees include the Vida Mexican burger topped with pico de gallo, guacamole, fajita veggies, lettuce and tomato and served with house tortilla chips. You can also order the grilled fish of the day fajita-style, served with rice and beans and your choice of flour or corn tortilla.
For the late-night crowd, check out Taco Vida's list of alcoholic beverages including frozen margaritas and sangria, as well as domestic and imported cervesa. However, unlike many fast-casual dining spots, here you can also order a classic Jose Cuervo margarita, or go simple with an agua de Mexico -- agave, fresh-squeezed lime juice and tequila -- both for less than $7. Or try the guava of my life, a simple combination of fresh muddled guava, triple sec and tequila. The best part: each of the six house cocktails are available by the pitcher for just $19.95.
Taco Vida is located in West Palm Beach at 851 Village Boulevard and 330 Clematis Street. For more information call the Taco Vida Clematis Street location at 561-223-3462, or visit the website and Facebook page.
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