Santo Taco — Review by Food Network
Salt Lake City, United States — Mexican
Santo Taco brings authentic Mexican cuisine to Salt Lake City, run by Alfonso Breto from Veracruz and his wife Claudia from Mexico City. The birria tacos are expertly crafted with tender, flavorful shredded beef cooked for hours and served with a rich consume broth for dipping. The restaurant captures the warmth and authenticity of a Mexican family kitchen.
What was great: Authentic street tacos, tender shredded beef, flavorful birria sauce, melty Monterey Jack cheese, perfectly spiced consume broth for dipping
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
Santo Taco specializes in authentic street tacos, with the birria tacos being the standout item. The birria preparation is an impressive process that begins with a complex sauce made from ancho chilis, chile wajillo, and other spices that simmer for 25-30 minutes. Chuck beef is braised in water, onion, garlic, and beef base for 6 hours until perfectly tender and shredded. The meat is then combined with the chili base and braised for another 30 minutes. Fresh tortillas are fried in the fat from the broth, creating a crispy vessel for the meat and melted Monterey Jack cheese. The birria tacos come with a consume, essentially a Mexican French dip experience, which provides an unexpected punch of flavor with every bite. Guy describes the consume as the key element that ties everything together, calling it perfectly spiced and delicious.
The Experience
The restaurant's atmosphere evokes the feeling of stepping into a Mexican grandmother's kitchen. The white walls and banners create an authentic ambiance that transports diners straight to Mexico. The owners are warm and welcoming, embodying the family-style hospitality that characterizes traditional Mexican dining. There's genuine passion in how Alfonso and Claudia operate the establishment, evident in their willingness to share their cooking process and family recipes.
Value and Pricing
While specific prices aren't mentioned in the transcript, the portions and quality of preparation suggest reasonable value for the authentic preparation and quality ingredients used.
Notable Moments
It's exactly like if you were to go to your grandma's house in the kitchen with your family.
The meat is so tender, so flavorful. And then if it's not flavorful enough for you, you can get some of the consume chef. It's delicious.
The Verdict
Santo Taco is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic street tacos in Salt Lake City. The birria tacos represent excellent execution of traditional Mexican cuisine, with perfectly balanced flavors and textures. This restaurant is ideal for those wanting genuine Mexican food prepared with passion and family recipes passed down through generations.