Bobby’s Tacos could be anywhere and do well. They just have that feel. The cool branding and use of bold orange to stand out. The menu that feels familiar and yet different; nothing remotely authentic Mexican about it, just a big enough nod to know that this is the style they are influenced by in that kind of new-wave style done so well by the likes of Breddos and El Pastor in London and less well in Birmingham (A La Mexicana is home-style Mexican before you say anything). The frozen margs. The small plates. It’s all very well researched, very well put-together, very major city.
Except no major city is getting that view. Bristol maybe, but that’s about it. The terrace out the back sitting high above the Severn and the many bridges of Shrewsbury, a lush, green vista of somewhere to savour lunch. Two of those frozen margs; one a spicy bastard, the other not, and topotos, properly made, not your cheap Dorrito shit you see everywhere now. These come with a bowl of guac that’s all creamy and little acidity, with a rojo salsa that more than covers-up for the slight blandness of the avocado. These, incidentally, were recommended by the couple on the table next to us. Bravo those people.
In keeping to our plan of a quick lunch before the big dinner, I get tacos and Sophie has a burrito. The burrito is very good, packed with marinated mushrooms, cheese, rice, and pico, they are generous and packed with flavour. Add to this what you will as if it were pho; some of the rioja salsa, pickled onions, a squeeze of lime. I’d suggest a bit of everything. And then there is the lamb taco’s, meat reminiscent of abodo but not quite, gently singing with dried chillies for that complex sweet and smokey heat. Some citrus, some garlic, some cinnamon present. It is excellent, piled onto good tortillas with shredded onion. Squeeze the lime, pour as much salsa as the chin can muster and enjoy. Not sure if they need the side of rice, but I finish it with the strands of leftover lamb.
Our bill is £57 between two and Sophie optimistically takes the other half of the burrito with her. In truth I’d never heard of Bobby’s before it was recommended by a local friend, and I found myself thanking her for the suggestion, adding that it’s as good, if not better than the likes of Breddos, Padre, and El Pastor in London where I’ve found myself all too frequently this year. It’s the type of place that would be raved about just about anywhere, yet it quietly does its thing from a parade of shops in Shrewsbury. I guess it is a reason in itself to go back and explore the area a little more.
9/10
