My sister and I love going on food adventures together and, while we do not have them as much as we might would like, we take full advantage of trying new things and new places when we do. Recently, my sister and her fiancé went to a local taco place that opened in Sacramento within the past year. As soon as she tried it, she told me that I HAD to come and try this awesome spot for myself.

Mas Taco Bar not only has some traditional tacos, but they also feature a large variety of others that provide tastes from around the world. Their concept is centered on presenting a unique variety of flavors while also ensuring that every dish is perfectly balanced.

Starters:

MAS Fries:

If I had to choose, I think that this was my favorite item overall during our Mas Taco Bar experience. These fries were some of the best loaded fries I have had to date. They had a light crispy outside and a soft interior. The steak was tender and you could taste the chili and lime used to marinate the steak before cooking. The cilantro crema contributed a slight bite from the cilantro and the crema cooled down the slight spice running though the dish. It complimented the steak very nicely. The cotija cheese provided a different texture of dairy, the roasted bell pepper added a hint of sweetness, and the roasted jalapeno added just a hint more spice. Lastly, I must put this disclaimer: I personally do not like guacamole. I know, I know. My family tells me all the time that I am weird for not liking guacamole. However, my tastes have drastically changed over the last year and a half, so maybe one day I will like it. I did, however, try a little guacamole with a bite of the steak and fries and thought that it provided another creamy element that also tempered the spice of the dish. Overall, these fries provide fantastic layers of flavor that make for a truly delicious appetizer!

Habanero Fire Balls:

Another disclaimer: typically, I am not a spice girl. I can handle some spice, but not too much. I did, however, try these at the request of my sister (who LOVES spice). First of all, the presentation is stunning! This was the first plate to arrive at the table and it definitely delivered a “WOW” factor. The crispiness on the outside was awesome and I want more things fried using that particular breading procedure. Another aspect that I liked about these fire balls is that, while they were incredibly spicy, you can still taste the jalapeños, cream cheese, and pepperjack cheese. I could not personally taste the bacon, but I think that has more to do with my low spice tolerance for jalapeños. I did appreciate that the plate had a good portion of mango puree. The sweetness of the mango really tempered the spiciness of the fire balls while also providing a bright flavor contrast to this fried starter. This was a great appetizer, especially if you really enjoy spicy food.

Tacos:

Braised Short Rib:

This taco had a heaping portion of tender, juicy meat. The pickled red onions, cotija cheese, and cilantro added a great freshness to lift the denseness that meat like this tends to have. If you love a lot of meat in your taco, this is a great option for you.

Secret:

The secret taco this month features a creole-inspired taco. The fried rock shrimp were lightly crispy, but they lacked seasoning. The creole mayo added some creaminess to the taco; however, the main flavor I could taste was horseradish and the creole flavor profile of the mayonnaise needed to be dialed up. The cabbage, tomato, and cilantro added some nice freshness to the fried shrimp. Overall, this was a good taco. The seasoning was the only aspect that needed some adjustment.

Chicken Chorizo y Papas:

This taco was delicious! The fact that the chorizo was made with chicken made it feel lighter than a traditional chorizo taco. The potato added some heartiness, while the cilantro crema and fresh cilantro added some freshness and lightness. The spice level on this was perfect because the spicy red sauce had a bold kick, but was perfectly balanced out by the cilantro crema. Adding a squeeze of lime gave an acid pop that really rounded out the flavors. This was a very well-balanced taco that I would love to get again.

Roasted Cauliflower:

We usually only eat tacos that have meat, so we decided to change it up and give this vegetarian option a try. The roasted cauliflower, Romanesco sauce, and cilantro was a great flavor combination. This taco was completely packed with cauliflower and felt both very hearty and incredibly light at the same time. Once again, a squeeze of lime really helped to round out the flavor

Korean Fried Chicken:

This featured a crispy piece of chicken, kimchi, cilantro, and jalapeño all on a laughing (or steam) bun. The chicken was slightly dry in the center, but the sauce and other elements of the taco provided enough moisture that you could not really even notice it when eating a fullycomposed bite. Between the kimchi and the sauce that coated the crispy fried chicken, this taco was spicy while also still being very flavorful. The kimchi and the cilantro provided freshness and the bun was light and airy. Overall, this was a great option and I would like to get it again.

Steak and Eggs:

This was one of the tacos that provided the best amount of filling for the cost. It was filled with a large amount of the same chili and lime marinated steak that was on the MAS Fries. The black beans added a hearty, creamy component while the fried egg added a velvety sauce from the golden, runny yolk. A squeeze of lime was also delicious on this taco as well because it brightened it up and added that nice pop of acidity.

Duck Confit:

This was a seriously delicious taco! The duck was a little overcooked, but when eating a bite of the whole taco, you do not notice it. The tamarind glaze added a really nice citrus flavor while the cabbage, onions, and cilantro all provided contrasting flavors and textures that made every bite feel very light. I would for sure get this one again because the tamarind glaze gave this taco a great depth of flavor.

Dessert:

Churros:

These churros were fantastic! These star all the key elements that you want in a great churro: super crispy outside, soft and spongy inside, and generously coated in cinnamon and sugar. While they may look like they could be a sugar bomb, the choux pastry and the cinnamon gave them the perfect balance so that they did not read as “too sweet” when eating them. The churros were delicious on their own, but two dipping sauces accompanied this delightful dessert plate. First, the churros dipped in Mexican chocolate ganache was like a flavor bomb! The cinnamon in the Mexican chocolate highlighted the cinnamon on the churros, which made them a perfect combination. Then, the churros dipped in the caramel sauce, unfortunately, left more to be desired. While the Mexican chocolate ganache added an incredible flavor, the caramel fell flat. I believe that simply making it a salted caramel and caramelizing the sugar a little more during the caramel-making process would solve this issue, making this second dipping sauce really sing. I would most certainly get these again!

The Takeaway:

Mas Taco Bar had a modern, yet inviting atmosphere as soon as you walk in the door. It is a fantastic spot that allows its customers to try a wide variety of delicious tacos and other items, rather than just a traditional taco. All of the tacos were extremely well-balanced and well-executed. I will definitely be dining at Mas Tacos Bar again, and I am excited to try more of their incredible, delicious, and balanced creations!

Thank you so much for reading this food review! I hope that you give Mas Tacos Bar a try and let me know when you do! What other places should I review in Sacramento, CA and beyond? Leave a comment below!