Is it just us....
Or does it seem that when one holiday is gone, another comes and plows you over with all it's yuletide hubbub?
Faylunchin feels your pain, readers. If you've had children to entertain, gifts to waste all your Christmas' bonuses on; if you had relatives to visit, or even just a vacant house and that half-empty bottle of Bailey's staring at you, we feel your pain. When it comes to holidays, life is hard!
That's why we come to you with something soft, like a pillow if you will. Rest your wee head and let our words send you into lala-land.
Or does it seem that when one holiday is gone, another comes and plows you over with all it's yuletide hubbub?
Faylunchin feels your pain, readers. If you've had children to entertain, gifts to waste all your Christmas' bonuses on; if you had relatives to visit, or even just a vacant house and that half-empty bottle of Bailey's staring at you, we feel your pain. When it comes to holidays, life is hard!
That's why we come to you with something soft, like a pillow if you will. Rest your wee head and let our words send you into lala-land.
Perhaps you, like our resident Englishman, are a trendy Fayettevillian. Like him, perhaps you were perusing your local paper a few weeks back and noticed the press release for Con Quesos' soft opening planned for January 6th and 7th. If you did, then you and Harvey are very much alike...and there can be only one. But in all seriousness, if you found this release then you surely noticed how the reservations were free, though the time to order them was limited. You then proceeded to call every friend you knew that could help you devour a legion of tacos. Luckily for us, Harvey had a few friends in mind. On Thursday evening, Harvey led the trio to a certain ambitious taco shop, located at 2016 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard, snuggly next to Blue Top liquor. Here's what we thought of the place: |
Two quick caveats: Qi had plans on this night, so our guest host-with-the-most joined us. Thanks Alex! Secondly, as this was a soft opening, we are not providing you a full review--more like a quick overview of what to expect, along with some helpful advice for the restaurant. So, no scores today concerning Atmosphere, Food, and Service. And unfortunately, no Celebrity Score either. Just a soft review, for a soft opening.
As you can see from above, Con Quesos is a modern, open space with high ceilings, bright green fixtures, and lots of seating for it's narrowness. We were very much reminded of our visit to Deluxe Burger, way back in August. Some differences, however, came in the form of a digital menu on TV screens, as well as partitioned sections (one for ordering your food, one for dining). The space was jam-packed with patrons caught between listening for their orders on the microphone and filling out their surveys, which were provided as we entered the building.
And as this was a soft-opening, we weren't expecting the same service one might receive on a normal night of the week.
And as this was a soft-opening, we weren't expecting the same service one might receive on a normal night of the week.
After making our orders, scouting a table to sit at had grown steadily more difficult; the place just stayed busy! After a few minutes' wavering, and thanks to a gracious couple, we found ourselves some seats and waited for our tacos. Alex, channeling his inner-Qi, ordered a cheese dip sampler, aptly named the Four Seasons, which contained every variety of Con Quesos' unique cheese blends. As we dipped and snacked, enjoying the diversity of each bite, roughly 20 minutes passed. By this time, we'd watched many patrons eat, fill out their surveys, belch under their breath, then leave. We were fully oriented--surveys all but finished--when our names were called. We dug in. |
Omar Kasim, owner/founder of Con Quesos is nothing if not inspired. Just look at his menu! What you'll find is both comprehensive (on a world scale) and unique (on a local scale).
We ordered two tacos apiece, the minimum quantity to receive a drink for $1 (not bad!). Harvey called forth all primal ties to his Anglican roots, commandeering the tastes of his two favorite regions--he selected the Bombay taco and the New World's Condesa taco. And Alex showed his mythic aspirations as he chose the Greek-themed Santorini taco paired with the fishy Dardanelle, as if he's slowly hefting Poseidon's trident. Mike on the other hand, prone to psychedelia, decided on the Jamaican Montego taco, and the taco with plenty of 'shrooms, La Raza.
What we consumed was ripe with fresh ingredients, and no slouch in the condiment department. Good, tasty tacos. However, we wondered what might set these tacos apart from the competition. First to note, the Bombay taco contained what we judged an unequal rice-to-masala ratio (pour on that masala!). The Dardanelles' catfish was a bit too cooked, and there wasn't enough accompanying it to offset that flavor. And La Raza, generously full of mushrooms, was a sloppy meal, requiring a lot of napkins. So, good tastes, but also things to improve upon.
We ordered two tacos apiece, the minimum quantity to receive a drink for $1 (not bad!). Harvey called forth all primal ties to his Anglican roots, commandeering the tastes of his two favorite regions--he selected the Bombay taco and the New World's Condesa taco. And Alex showed his mythic aspirations as he chose the Greek-themed Santorini taco paired with the fishy Dardanelle, as if he's slowly hefting Poseidon's trident. Mike on the other hand, prone to psychedelia, decided on the Jamaican Montego taco, and the taco with plenty of 'shrooms, La Raza.
What we consumed was ripe with fresh ingredients, and no slouch in the condiment department. Good, tasty tacos. However, we wondered what might set these tacos apart from the competition. First to note, the Bombay taco contained what we judged an unequal rice-to-masala ratio (pour on that masala!). The Dardanelles' catfish was a bit too cooked, and there wasn't enough accompanying it to offset that flavor. And La Raza, generously full of mushrooms, was a sloppy meal, requiring a lot of napkins. So, good tastes, but also things to improve upon.
Speaking of things to improve upon, here are a few recommendations that Faylunchin found while both dining and waiting. Save your surveys, Con Quesos', we've got you covered:
- While there is a large, bright menu at the restaurant's storefront, there are none by the registers, where most people are expected to know what they want. As with us, customers have short attention spans and even shorter memories. Con Quesos would be better served to have another large menu behind the counter, for easier, speedier ordering.
- The dining area of Con Queso's is organized despite its relative smallness. At any point, a customer should be able to find a seat, even when busy. However, you may want to seriously consider new chairs. Sure, they look cool, they do. But to sit in them reminds us of our elementary school desks--hard backed, no ability to slide back and pat your thankful stomach--like we're supposed to stay awake during arithmetic. It may not make sense at first, Con Queso, but buns do come into account at a taco restaurant.
- As for the napkin situation... We think a napkin dispenser at each table would be a great asset. When Harvey walked to the front to grab our napkins, he brought back mini-square-paper-things, the kind that catch maybe two drops of taco liquid and bloat up uselessly. When people are hungry for tacos, and they undoubtedly will be for your tasty selection, they expect dirty fingers and runny mouths. Heavy-duty napkins are a must!
- And lastly, somewhere within your survey there was a question like this: "Would you be more interested in this restaurant if it had an alcohol selection?" Ummm, let us think about this...of course! We're thirty somethings who've already slaved away our bodies to unhealthy PHOs and HVOs, and maybe even UFOs. We love alcohol and YES we'd love it with your tacos.
Considering alcohol, the three of us got pretty thirsty that night. We left Con Quesos around 8:30pm, wondering where we could get a cheap beer and a nice, cozy seat. Duh!
As an added bonus to our night, we visited Bear's Place. There, Bear the owner greeted us as any ferocious animal would: free beans on the house and $1.50 beers! Have you ever tried Good Ass Beer? No, really, that's the name of the beer. It's wonderful.
As an added bonus to our night, we visited Bear's Place. There, Bear the owner greeted us as any ferocious animal would: free beans on the house and $1.50 beers! Have you ever tried Good Ass Beer? No, really, that's the name of the beer. It's wonderful.
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