All That And a Basket of Chips

Austin taco chain torches the competition in USA Today's best fast-casual list

The author of the list pointed out the strength of Torchy's Tacos' queso.

Courtesy of Torchy's Tacos

Much of the Austin food scene is still in its adolescence, but one chain has come to represent Austin's blazing arc from small town to top destination. Now it's being honored alongside widespread favorites — the likes of Qdoba, Chipotle, and Mod Pizza — in USA Today's10Best readers' choice awards.

Torchy's Tacos took the No. 4 spot for best fast casual restaurants in the U.S.

Formerly a taco trailer of South First Street, the brand has grown exponentially since 2006. It now operates more than 90 locations in 14 states, some as far north as Indiana and Ohio.

Despite its sprawl, Torchy's is still a symbol of Austin. It has all the right ingredients: a Tex-Mex style, a scrappy food truck origin story, irreverent branding that doesn't try too hard, and a lingering strong presence in its home town. There are now 10 Austin restaurants, including a prominent location for tourists on South Congress Avenue.

The USA Today article called out some specific menu items — something unique to Torchy's while the rest of the 10Best got more general write-ups:

"Torchy's Tacos is spreading the love of Austin tacos across the United States. The tacos at Torchy's have always been experimental, with options like the Mofaux, cowboy-style Beyond Beef with grilled corn, green chiles, peppadew peppers, avocado and Diablo sauce. And their green chile queso is some of the best in the nation."

It's true that Torchy's stands out from the taco crowd, both because of its Tex-Mex boldness (you won't get a fried chicken taco from an authentic taco truck) and its playful love of over-the-top recipes. It also keeps things fun with an always-changing taco of the month and a (widely discussed) secret menu.

Similar chains in the 10Best, like Qdoba Mexican Eats (No.1) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (No. 8), take a more natural approach in their branding, but Torchy's leans into the mischief of its flaming mascot.

Mexican-inspired staples like tacos, burritos, and bowls dominated the list with burgers; Both styles were represented four times each. There were only two restaurants that fell outside of the Mexican-burger dichotomy, and they were both Italian-inspired. However, Mod Pizza (No. 2) focuses on pies, while Portillo's (No. 5) specializes in chopped beef sandwiches.

The win is bittersweet; Austin has been proud of Torchy's for decades, and some locals have had a hard time letting go of the underdog status. The city is growing, and its best exports will have to keep evolving, too.

If we're going to run into an Austin staple in Ohio, it might as well be presided over by a grinning little devil.

The 10Best fast-casual restaurants in the U.S. as voted by USA Today readers:

No. 1 — QDOBA Mexican Eats
No. 2 — MOD Pizza
No. 3 — BurgerFi
No. 4 — Torchy's Tacos
No. 5 — Portillo's
No. 6 — Moe's Southwest Grill
No. 7 — Roam Artisan Burgers
No. 8 — Chipotle Mexican Grill
No. 9 — Culver's
No. 10 — Shake Shack

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Omakase for Everyone

New South Austin restaurant swims against current of expensive omakase

Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi keeps things simple.

Austin had no shortage of beautiful sushi restaurants, but a new one at Lantana Place is doing drawing the trend away from the center of the city and sticking a lower price tag on the experience. Tancho Sushi, offering "everyday omakase," is now open at 7415 Southwest Parkway.

The thought of casual omakase feels like a bit of an oxymoron in Austin, where the service style — which tasks the chef with choosing what the diner will eat — is almost synonymous with something fancy and expensive. Factor in the interior design at Tancho, which certainly doesn't look pedestrian, and it's hard to believe it's actually an everyday meal.

But all things considered, these prices seem reasonable: $29 for the lightest dinner option, and capping out at a $59 feast. Lunch is even less expensive, starting at $24.

Tancho Sushi interior The airy space takes advantage of its surroundings outside of the city.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

In some omakase experiences, the chef might factor in a diner's taste, the special ingredients that are available that day, and any number of other factors to determine what hits the table. But at Tancho, these prix fixe options are predetermined, doubtlessly contributing to the more accessible pricing.

The 50-seat restaurant also uses a clever marketing angle to get diners in who aren't necessarily experienced in sushi, or might otherwise be intimidated by letting a chef choose unfamiliar foods. "With thoughtfully curated preset menus, Tancho simplifies the dining experience by eliminating the guesswork so guests can focus on enjoying their meals," a press release announcing the opening says.

The release was sent November 22, but it looks like Tancho has been serving customers in a soft opening capacity for about a month, based on its Google reviews (which are stunningly high for a new restaurant at 4.7 stars).

Offerings at Tancho are simple.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Although each menu is different, there is a shared arc. All four experiences start with sunomono salad, a cucumber-based dish with red seaweed and sesame. Then there's tuna sashimi with smoked yuzu ponzu and scallions, and the rest depends on what the diner chooses.

Some standout items across the dinner service are sea bream on the light menu; akami (very red meat along the spine of a tuna) on the standard omakase menu; a lobster open hand roll on the rolls-only menu; and a tuna flight on the grand omakase menu.

No menu item is especially complicated. The focus is on doing each ingredient right, including the temperature the fish is served at and even the flavor of house-made soy sauce and ponzu.

“We keep the focus on the ingredients,” said co-founder Brad Van Otterloo in the release. “By stripping away unnecessary flourishes, we allow the quality of our fish to take center stage. This is a Texas-born concept through and through, and we’re proud to contribute to Austin’s growing sushi reputation.”

The open hand rolls are a signature for the restaurant.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Despite all this talk of omakase, it is possible to order à la carte items: some appetizers, nigiri (sliced fish on top of rice), and rolls. There's also a carefully curated beverage program, which largely focuses on sake. That includes the Kubota Manju or “Ten Thousand Celebrations" ($79), renowned in Japan for its complex layers and smooth mouthfeel.

“As Austin continues to grow, we wanted to introduce a fresh take on the sushi experience,” said Van Otterloo. “We’re here to make sushi approachable for Austinites while honoring the integrity of this cuisine. It’s about creating a space where everyone can discover and enjoy sushi at their own pace – no pressure, no pretense.”

Tancho Sushi exterior This restaurant is meant to be approachable.Image courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi is located at 7415 Southwest Parkway, Building 4, Suite 300. It's open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, offering both dine-in and takeout. There are no reservations.

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