Lone Star Taqueria

Lone Star Taqueria
2265 Fort Union Blvd.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
(801)944-2300
www.lonestartaqueria.com

After my lunch at The Beerhive, I really wasn't that hungry, but one of the main missions for this trip was to visit The Red Iguana previously featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." My buddy Dave, whom I used to work with at JumpTV and also lives in Salt Lake City, was going to pick us up at the hotel and drive us over. The initial plan was to meet at our hotel bar for a beer and then head over, but there was no parking for Dave, so we ran outside to head straight to the restaurant.

It was good to see Dave again as he's a great guy and knows just about everything and everybody in Salt Lake City. He drove us directly to The Red Iguana where I immediately noticed all of the people hanging around outside. We parked and Dave went in to find out how long the wait was going to be. He came out and told us at least 45 minutes. Now I see that as a good thing, but my com padres didn't want to wait that long. To me, that's a sure sign of some great food waiting inside. When I watched the segment on this restaurant on the Food Network, it was clear they offer authentic Mexican food.

Dave suggested we hit one of the other spots featured on the show, so we headed off to Lone Star Taqueria. They are famous for their fish tacos. We weren't exactly hungry at that point, so we drove to the other side of town and hit a bar right across the street from Lone Star. After a couple of beers, Dave and I went to eat, while James waited for us at the bar. Dave and I head across the street to Lone Star Taqueria and I notice that it looks like it used to be a fast food location. Dave confirmed that, telling me it was once an ice cream shop and a burger joint at one time as well.

We head inside to order and I notice a sign that says their fish being served that day was salmon. At first I was a little hesitant as I had never had fish tacos with salmon. I had the fish taco combo, which comes with one soft-shell taco, an order of rice and beans. The interior of the restaurant is rather small, but there are a number of tables located outside. I don't like eating outside much, but on this evening the temperature was just right as the sun had begun to set. As expected on a Friday night, the restaurant was crowded and seating on the outside was rather limited. However, while we were in line ordering a friend of Dave's appeared and said his wife was outside at a table, so we should join them. Dave really should consider running for Mayor as everywhere I go with him he runs into someone he knows.

We get outside and settle in at the table and it isn't long before our food comes to the table. All of the food is served in paper lined pie plates. The tacos were perfectly sized and soft. Dave told me to be sure to use the sauce they served with the tacos and it was delicious. My first bite of the taco told me that this place is special. The fish was flavorful and moist. The rice and beans were cooked perfectly and tasted simply delicious. I quickly forgot about the fact that I didn't get to go to The Red Iguana after eating this meal. The food was outstanding and Dave's friends were great to welcome us to their table and engaging in some stimulating conversation. This turned out to be a fantastic evening.

If there was a cool place like this serving fish tacos in Daytona Beach, I would be eating there all the time. This small place serving simple food with big flavor is truly a gift to the people of Salt Lake City. I cannot wait to get back out there for next year's Jus convention.

For my first and probably not my last visit to Lone Star Taqueria, I have to give them five Stiffy's. If you are ever in Salt Lake City and like fish tacos, you have to check this place out.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Harry