It's hardly a secret that St Nicholas Market is where you'll find some of the very best street food in Bristol, if not the South West.
The glass arcade is every foodie's dream with a myriad of delicious options, making it hugely popular with nearby workers in search of lunch.
From Matina at one end of the bustling walkway through to Portuguese Taste at the other, it's fair to say a healthy option of different cuisines are covered.
But fans of Mexican food looking for some authentic fiery food from South America in the past will no doubt have been a little disappointed that this is not served at St Nick's.
This changed last week however, when Taco Barra replaced the long-running Sausage Station, which was a market mainstay for around 15 years.
Hot on the heels of Low and Slow, which opened two weeks ago, Taco Barra's menu currently only consists of tacos - as you might have guessed - and nachos, although there are plans to introduce more Mexican favourites including quesadillas and peanut soup in the coming months.
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I, like many others, was ambling through the market in search of a filling lunch when I was drawn to the bright colours of Taco Barra.
After spying on a plate of tacos a customer had just ordered I was quickly sold, and ordered three for £7 (there's also the option of two for £5), with pulled pork, grilled halloumi and spicy fried chicken varieties.
As I chatted to owner Kriplani and chef Martin Musolino, from Argentina, while they prepared my tacos I could tell that they both have a real passion for proper Mexican food - and that enthusiasm shone through as soon as I tucked into them.
All three options were absolutely sublime and it became instantly clear that everything had been prepared fresh on site by Martin, who has been a chef for nine years.
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Alongside the main focus of each soft corn taco there was a selection of sauces and dips, salads, pineapple pieces, pickled radish slices and more all bursting with flavour to accompany them. The pomegranate seeds in particular were a very nice touch.
The rich flavours all came together beautifully and just when I thought the halloumi taco couldn't be beaten, I was happily proved wrong by the chicken, which was out of this world and the pick of the bunch (that's not to say the pulled pork wasn't also top notch, though).
As I finished my plate, gladly mopping up the remnants which had spilled out of the three tacos, the customer I had previously seen ordering praised Martin for his food.
"That means the world to me, thank you so much," he beamed back at her with a smile as wide as one of his tacos. He'd better get used to such adulation, as there's going to be much more on the way.
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Verdict
While there will no doubt be some market regulars who are mourning the departure of Sausage Station, Taco Barra is a very welcome addition. If the future additions to the menu are half as good as the tacos, we can't wait to see what's in store.
Overall: 4.5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ambience: 4
Value: 4
