TacoFino Cantina, Tofino - Fish Tacos to rule all tacos

We heard about the Tacofino Cantina while doing some research of what to do and where to eat in Tofino, Vancouver Island. The quirky taco selling van rated high on everyone's must do list, so who were we to pass up on the opportunity to try some of the local fare that everyone was raving about?

It's not the easiest place to find, being tucked away at the back of a lot behind a bunch of surf shops. Luckily it has made its way onto the maps issued at the Tourist Information centre, so this was a major help! The Cantina is an old school bus that has been converted into a fast food style kitchen. You go up to the drivers window to order your food and then sit down on one of the park benches to wait for your name to be yelled out. In the time we were there, a steady stream of people came and left and we get the feeling that this place is buzzing all day long.

The menu isn't extensive - they serve Burritos, Tacos and Gringas - all available with a variety of different fillings. This appeals to me. They aren't trying to cook every dish known to man, but stick to what they are good at and perfect it over time. We ordered from across the menu and decided on a Pork Burrito, two fish Tacos (their specialty) and a black bean Gringa. We sat and waited with anticipation.

 First, the burrito. It was a 12 inch flour tortilla filled with refried black beans, seasoned basmati rice, shredded cabbage, sour cream and soft, deliciously seasoned pulled pork. The tortilla was a little undercooked for my liking which gave it a bit of a wet, slippery texture. It was, however, packed to the gills with delicious ingredients and was certainly a filling, tasty meal (and at $10 a pop, you would want it to be filling).

The Gringa wasn't anything I can really rave about. It was nice, but not incredible. It was a 6 inch tortilla filled with cheese, vegetables and black beans and then grilled. It tasted very similar to a pizza actually. 

The Gringa

The definite winner of the meal was the fish taco. It has redefined a taco for me. No longer will my mental image of a taco be the hard shell corn taco filled with beef and salad - i shall forever more think of this fish taco. It was a 6 inch flour tortilla  that had been lightly toasted and then filled with tempura battered cod, chopotle mayo, shredded cabbage and salsa. The combination of the battered fish and the fresh zesty salsa was incredible and we devoured the tacos way too quickly. Not the best overall meal we have had in Canada, but the fish taco by itself would be one of the best dishes we have had.

Fish Tacos. Splendiforabulous.

RECOMMENDED

This place is not cheap considering you are ordering out of a converted school bus. However, it is quirky, interesting and fresh food which leaves you with a nice warm belly and a feeling that for a brief moment in time, all is well in the world. Recommended if you ever get the chance to make it to this beautiful part of Vancouver Island.



The bill (for 2):
1 x Pork Burrito - CA$10
2 x Fish Tacos -CA$9
1 x Black Bean Gringas  - CA$4.50
TOTAL: CA$23.50 (Approx. US$22)

Restaurant address: 1184 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

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