Revolu Modern Taqueria + Bar
As you step into this Peoria Sports complex area restaurant the sights and smells of Tijuana, Mexico will welcome you. Named after the popular Tijuana Avenue Revolucion, Revolu brings the memories of the eating “street” food and joys of regional cuisine that was impressed upon the owners throughout their developmental years. The colorful wall art and overall buzz will help you get into the spirit and the menu will delight with all the various options.
We arrived just as happy hour was ending and were able to order an item that is also available on the Share section of the menu. We started with the Mexican Street Corn Nacho ($4.95, happy hour). This is comprised of a piled high plate of corn tortilla chips, which then have scooped on top the following items: grilled corn that has been shaved off the cob, Queso Blanco, shaved lettuce, Cotija cheese, and avocado cream. The sweetness of the corn was rounded out with the two different kinds of cheese, as well as the avocado flavor. On the regular menu there is a larger version available as well ($10.95).
We also wanted to have some Chips and Salsa ($2.50) while waiting for the entrée items. You are given a large basket of chips and two different kinds of salsa. The chips can be refilled at no additional cost if you so choose. You get a slightly spicier red salsa as well as a more mild and/or a slightly sweeter green salsa. The chips are all different sizes and shapes, with a perfect crunch to them.
We also ordered the Elote with the shaved off the cob ($5.45). This is an ear of corn that is coated with chipotle mayonnaise and then grilled. It is then shaved off the ear into a bowl and mixed with Cotija cheese to finish. The roasted flavor of the corn shines through and the other ingredients just serve to accent the flavor of the charred corn. If you choose off the cob option it is a slightly higher cost, but much easier to share and eat. It comes served in a large bowl easy to serve around the table and eat with a fork or some of the tortilla chips from the Chips and Salsa dish.
Our first entrée item was the Carne Asada Flying Saucer ($13.95). This is a very large, crispy flour tortilla tostada that fills the entire dinner plate. It is then topped with bean spread, grilled skirt steak, cheese blend, shaved lettuce, caramelized onions and a cilantro lime crema. We asked to have the onions and crema on the side, as to be able to try certain ingredients separately. This dish is huge, and more than enough to feed one person. You could also easily share it amongst two people. The Carne Asada was perfectly cooked, and all the flavors worked well when added together. But you can enjoy it without the onions and/or the cream too. There were plenty of flavors just with the bean spread and steak. The tostada had a crisp, but still light texture and served as a great vessel to eat all the items.
We then decided to order four tacos from their small Street Taco selections. The first taco was the Carne Asada taco ($2.95). This came with a small corn tortilla piled high with chopped marinated skirt steak. It can come topped with the avocado cream, onions, cilantro, and the red salsa. We chose to just have the avocado cream. It was a lot of meat on the taco and even with just the two toppings; it was a few great bites of food. The next taco was the Al Pastor taco ($2.95). Once again with the corn tortilla, this one was topped with spit fired pork, caramelized pineapple, and the avocado cream, salsa, onion, and cilantro. Once again I asked to hold the salsa, onion, and cilantro with the interest of getting to taste the pork and pineapple without too many other aggressive added flavors. The pork and sweetness of the pineapple were delicious and the avocado cream, added just the right final note to the flavors.
The next two tacos had a lot of original thought involved in there development, as well as a choice of any of their protein options to add to the mix. The first taco was the Mula Taco ($3.25). The best way to think of this is as more of a quesadilla or sandwich. Two corn tortillas were filled with Pork Carnitas and cheese, and served sandwiched together. It has a little extra kick from the Carnitas, but it was a nice added flavor. It also was fun to eat, like a sandwich. The final taco was real funky and cool. It was the Queso-Taco ($3.25), which has a cheese crisp rolled up and on top of your choice of protein. This time we chose the Carne Asada to add to the flavors of the cheese crisp. It had a round cylinder shape of crisp cheese to wrap the taco around and bite into. The fact that the cheese was crisp did add a different flavor profile to it, and then say just shredded cheese or Queso sauce.
The restaurant is focusing on authentic flavors and techniques, which make it a nice new entry into the Mexican restaurant food options in the area. The food comes out quickly and tastes delicious. The servers are all around and helping each other out, which helps with keeping the perfect amount of attention to the patrons. I enjoyed the décor and the different food options, as well as that Corn Nacho dish. So whether you are catching a game at the Sports complex, shredding some ice at the rink next door, or just looking for some authentic Mexican cuisine; you will enjoy a great meal at this spot.
Location and Website – 5703 N 83rd Ave #110, Peoria, AZ 85382 http://www.revolutaqueria.com