It's like our little baby is all grown up, and we're sending her out into the world. The Summer of Taco™ is making its debut in the collective consciousness of the scenic city, thanks to an article in the food section of today's Chattanooga Times Free Press. Staff writer Andy Johns, who joined us last week as a guest judge at Petunia's, chronicled our adventures thus far.
And where do we go from here? Well, you may remember that last fall, TFP readers selected Chili's as the city's best all-around restaurant. Are you, like many of us, inclined to disagree with the masses? Whether you munch on arugula or iceberg: have no fear. The Summer of Taco™ is an instrument of justice, and every taco will get the fair trial—and verdict—it deserves.
So despite our aversion to chain restaurants, we dug deep and summoned the strength of conviction to find out: were they right?
Chattarati Totals: Chili's - Crispy Chicken Tacos
Average: 2.83
Presentation and Experience: 3.00
Construction: 3.25
Quality of Ingredients: 2.50
Flavor Balance: 3.38
Creativity and Authenticity: 2
And here are the scores from our individual judges:
Tiffanie Campbell
Overall: 4.0
Presentation and Experience: 3.50
Construction: 4.00
Quality of Ingredients: 3.50
Flavor Balance: 4.50
Creativity and Authenticity: 4.50
Stephen Clay
Overall: 2.40
Presentation and Experience: 2.00
Construction: 3.00
Quality of Ingredients: 2.50
Flavor Balance: 3.50
Creativity and Authenticity: 1.00
Comment: "Mildly filling, not enough flavor to offend sensitive palettes"
John Hawbaker
Overall: 2.55
Presentation and Experience: 3.00
Construction: 2.75
Quality of Ingredients: 2.50
Flavor Balance: 2.50
Creativity and Authenticity: 2.00
Comment: "Just as you'd expect: thoroughly average."
Casey Tuggle
Overall: 2.85
Presentation and Experience: 3.00
Construction: 3.50
Quality of Ingredients: 2.50
Flavor Balance: 3.25
Creativity and Authenticity: 2.0
Comment: "Not bad, but definitely not fresh. This is a good chain restaurant taco, but not a great taco by any measure."
After Chili's, the Summer of Taco™ rankings fall together like this:
- Petunia’s Silver Jalapeño 4.39
- Taco Mamacita 3.94
- TacoRico 3.79
- La Alteña 3.72
- Chili's 2.83
- Cancun 1.92
See what Urbanspoon readers have to say about the downtown Chili's:
John Hawbaker
mattdaviss on May 27, 2009
Pics or it didn't happen.
stevaker on May 27, 2009
WOW. Chili's tacos actually beat a local Mexican restaurant's tacos? Either Cancun is that bad or Chili's has GREATLY improved their tacos.
Summer of Taco has been a pleasure, so far. Nice work, Chattarater's!
Tiffanie on May 27, 2009
Wow!! I gave the best score... I thought they were very tasty... but what do my taste buds know?
twitter-33808947 on May 27, 2009
Have you guys tried El Meson yet? I love their chicken taco's! Makes me feel good to see these people up top...they all get their food from my wife's fathers company.
CaseyTuggle on May 27, 2009
Interesting that the TFP article does not mention the word Chattarati anywhere, nor does it provide a link. I can't see the video here at work, so perhaps that information is in there, but it's not in the text for sure.
mwillingham on May 27, 2009
I noticed that, too.
CaseyTuggle on May 27, 2009
From my own perspective as a judge at both restaurants, Chili's were not that bad (just not exceptional) and Cancun's were pretty atrocious.
stephen42 on May 27, 2009
Wow, diss'd by TFP. How will we ever go on...
Better question, Any opinions as to why we had a better turn out at Cancun than Chili's? More specific, why did Chili's garner the worst turn-out period?
Adrienne on May 28, 2009
But at least Joe was referenced as the Godfather of Taco. That's the important thing. :)
Robert T. Nash on May 28, 2009
LIKE, OMG! TOM GRISCOM HAS AN IPHONE!!! HE TOTALLY HAS MY RESPECT!!!
DavidMorton on May 28, 2009
Dude, is that really all it takes?