Babalu – or “Baby, I love you”, and who doesn’t love a Taco Tuesday? There is outdoor seating where furry friends can join as well, and the $3 tacos on Tuesdays make it even better. I love coming here to catch up with friends and grabbing a bite to eat.
Trio Dip appetizer
I typically start with the Trio Dip appetizer, which includes house-made tortilla chips, guacamole, salsa and queso. The best of everything when eating chips and dip. You cannot go wrong with this appetizer. The guacamole is some of the best I’ve ever had, made with lime, sea salt, and cilantro which you can definitely taste in this guac, it is addicting and fresh. The salsa is also fresh and house-made with fire roasted tomatoes, not a chunky salsa, very smooth and blended. The queso is also well done with house spice and roasted diced poblano peppers. I have had it congeal on a cool day sitting outside, so beware with the outdoors. There is enough to get a taste and fill you up as you chat. The tortilla chips are lightly salted, crispy and thin. They hold up well and are delicious on their own.
Mojito Margarita
The must-have drink here is the Mojito Margarita. If you like mojitos and tequila, you have to give this one a try. It is very easy to drink and not overbearing with the tequila. The crushed mint makes this drink refreshing, crisp and light. Another favorite is the Blood Orange Margarita made with fresh lime and blood orange juice, both are served over pellet ice.
Blood Orange Margarita
The Happy Hour menu is at the bar only, which is a bummer. It is a large bar, but I wish Happy Hour was throughout the restaurant as well. It is Monday-Friday from 4-6pm and you can get $5 mojitos. They also have a Margarita Monday special for $5 classic margaritas all day, plus live music at 7pm.
After the appetizers and a few margs, I typically get a taco or two. Top favorites here are the Shrimp Taco, which you can get grilled or fried. I opt for the panko fried, which is crispy, served with red cabbage slaw, and a soy honey aioli that is perfectly drizzled on top. The other top favorite here is the Pollo En Salsa Verde, which is roasted chicken thigh. The flavor of this chicken is phenomenal, served with green chili tomatillo sauce, queso fresco, and cilantro. The only downfall to this taco is the corn tortilla shell doesn’t hold up well and I end up having to eat it with a fork.
Shrimp Taco & Pollo En Salsa Verde
A couple of my companions ordered the Birria Pork which is mojo braised pork served on a somewhat seared corn tortilla shell and a side of birria au jus. Although the pork was high quality with good texture, it was lacking in flavor, especially after tasting the chicken, and the au jus didn’t add much in the flavor department either.
Birria Pork Tacos & Beef Taco
Another companion ordered the Beef Taco, I mean who can go wrong with a beef taco? This one was lacking in flavor also, and it had big chunks of ground beef (rather than finely ground beef) resulting in a half-eaten taco and disappointment. You do have an option for a Taco Plate, which is two tacos and a side of rice and beans. However, the flavor here is lacking as well, and I wouldn’t recommend getting the plate.
Overall, if you don’t have a huge appetite and just want to hang out with a light meal and a good margarita, Babalu is a great place to go for Taco Tuesday.
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-Tennessee Taster
