“We’ve got a great atmosphere; it’s very inviting, relaxing and fun,” said general manager Justin Vinson.
The back patio is decorated with twinkle lights, making Taco Mama a warm and colorful dining experience.
“Their porch area is dog friendly, so you can bring your dog with you, sit there and have dinner,” said Lauren Browning, a graduate student studying emotion and motivation.
Browning said she enjoys spending time at Taco Mama with her dog and fiancé while enjoying their Sangria margarita. Upbeat music pulses throughout the building, ranging from classic rock and pop hits to lesser-known indie bands. Graduate student Hunter Threadgill said Taco Mama was one of his favorite locations in Tuscaloosa.
“It’s a super chill atmosphere where you can go to have a meal after school,” Threadgill said. “They always play great music. It’s good food at a good price.”
The menu is just as colorful as the building itself. Every item on the menu is customizable, with build-your-own options on one side of the menu and standard specialties on the other side.
“What I really like is that you can build your own meal, and you can get as many of their toppings as you want,” Threadgill said. “For example, I like to get the nachos, and I put about 20-25 toppings on for one low price, so I can create my meal for whatever I’m feeling that day.”
Although Tuscaloosa may not be famous for its Mexican food, Taco Mama steps up to the plate by providing flavor and variety to the meals.
“Everything we do is made by hand every day,” Vinson said. “We always use fresh produce and make everything from scratch.”
Some fan favorites include the quesadillas and specialty burritos. However, Taco Mama keeps it fresh by adding non-traditional Mexican items to the menu as well.
“An item that not a lot of people know about is the Mexican Mac and Cheese,” Vinson said. “It’s a four-cheese macaroni that we make every day. We make the cheese sauce ourselves and then top it with our queso [cheese].”
Taco Mama also has a full bar and is famous for their margaritas. No matter what is going on that week, when Tuesday comes around, the line is nearly out the door for these tasty drinks. The margaritas are half priced every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to close, and this special has become so popular that it has been nicknamed “Tropical Tuesday”.
“I feel in love with the food,” Vinson said. “The atmosphere, it’s a very laid back company and they treat their employees very well. It’s a fun place to work.”
