Taco Kidd, Kaiserslautern restaurant, English menu

This is a link to a PDF menu for Taco Kidd, a new Kaiserslautern restaurant that I reviewed here.

I had a bit of a time getting it set up, but it's finally done and the English menu can now be viewed.

Restaurant Review: Taco Kidd, Kaiserslautern

Taco Kidd
Merkurstrasse 13, Kaiserslautern
Hours: M-Fri 0530-2200; Sat. 1000-2300
https://www.facebook.com/tacokidd.kaiserslautern
Parking: a few spots are available on the street in front of the restaurant and there is a parking lot down the street
Reservations: though not a formal restaurant, TK offers them if desired
Link to the menu in English

Yet another restaurant has thrown its hat into the Mexican dining "arena" in the Kaiserslautern area: Taco Kidd, located in the Merkurstrasse shopping area on the west side of the city. To be accurate, though, one must say that Taco Kidd has thrown its hat into a subset of the Mexican arena, into the CaliMex style of food.

The restaurant is a pleasant mish-mash of everything, offering everything from a morning coffee hang-out spot with American and German breakfast possibilities, to a Qdoba style assembly line of food, and even a bar for after-work drinks!

Even the set-up of the restaurant allows for different dining experiences. For those on the go and in need of a quick take-away breakfast, there is a counter with muffins, breads, doughnuts, and other sweets. The next section is for the hot meals and it's where one would order the California-style Mexican food and hamburgers. Following that, there is a bar with several barstools for seating. The remainder of the restaurant offers either tables and chairs or a super cosy alcove with leather couches and coffee tables. Those wishing to enjoy some fresh air can even sit outside in the patio area.

The cozy alcove, a great spot for coffee!

The bar area, with some barstools.

The outdoor seating area

During my visit on the restaurant's opening day (31 May), I ordered the vegetarian burrito, which came with a side of tortilla chips and salsa. The chips came from a bag and were tasty enough. The salsa that accompanied them was interesting; it was finely blended and reminded me somewhat of taco sauce, perhaps with some smoked peppers, while not being overly spicy. The burrito was tasty, with a peppery, spicy bell pepper/vegetable mix that had a bite without biting my tongue off. Rice (which was meant to be lemon-cilantro but didn't have a bold flavor on its own), refried beans, diced tomatoes, and braised onions were included. I chose verde sauce to be added. While it definitely wasn't a Mexican burrito, the burrito was enjoyable as a flavorful, fresh concoction in a flour tortilla.

While I was standing in line for my burrito, staff offered me a sample of their sweet baked goods. I tried a brownie and really liked its perfect consistency and delicious chocolaty taste that wasn't overpowering.

I had the opportunity to speak to the restaurant's owner, David Massarik, who was kind enough to take some time to tell me more about his restaurant. His intention with Taco Kidd is to offer a stylish place for young people to hang out. The bar area certainly offers that. Of course, all ages are welcome; though Massarik did mention that he currently only has one child seat and his partner told him that he absolutely must get more, which he intends to do.

As far as the cuisine goes, Massarik was interested in offering California-style Mexican food that was not so heavy. His chef brings an extremely interesting culinary background, having lived in the US and having operated a Chinese restaurant and been exposed to Soul Food in Florida and Cajun food in the south. In spite of such an unusual culinary experience, or perhaps because of it, the food at Taco Kidd works and isn't completely off. In my burrito, I could definitely taste the restaurant's intent to offer fresh-tasting and not heavy food.

For breakfast, it is Massarik's intent to offer something that will appeal to both German and American palates. On the German side, there are bakery items and breads available. To appeal to the hungry American in search of something warm to eat, there are pancakes and breakfast burritos.

With so many options and a flexible setting that allows for many different dining experiences, Taco Kidd might just have something for everyone. It's a comfortable place to eat a burrito; to meet with friends; to study in the cozy seating area; enjoy a drink with friends after work; or to grab something to go.

A trip to Hamburg: Day 1

My friend C. (a different C. from the Macedonia trip) and I took a weekend trip to Hamburg. I found a deal from Deutsche Bahn for 188 euros per person for the high speed train and two overnights. Their Ameropa travel service often yields some decent enough deals, especially when one books as far in advance as possible. If not booking very far in advance, one will find that the hotels on offer are often sold out. I booked three weeks out and was able to secure a room at the A&O Hotel&Hostel.

Our train came in before 9 on Friday night. We walked to the A&O from the Hauptbahnhof; it was an easy 10 minute walk. It was jam-packed when we arrived, apparently with school groups, bachelor parties, and other travelers. What a mish-mash!

We dumped our luggage in our room and took the train to the Planten un Blomen Park. We picked our way carefully through the insufficiently lit and deliciously fragrant park to see a cheesy tourist attraction: the Wasserlichtorgel, or water light organ. It's a water fountain in the park's pond that is synchronized with light and organ music. It was sufficiently touristy and kitsch, but also very pleasant to stand among the wonderfully aromatic plants and enjoy the sight, which is free, and a good end to our first day's journey.

Roadside Candy Machines: Hamburg

We saw this machine in Hamburg. The prices are really low, at 20 cents per item. I was wondering what the "eye poppers" are -- apparently it's sour bubblegum.

Hamburg's Mannequin Scene

Continuing on my Tour d'Mannequin, I came across another interesting mannequin in knock-off Harley clothes. He was on the Reeperbahn in Hamburg.

I'm impressed because:
-he does not appear to be beaten up then subsequently patched up, as the French and Macedonian mannequins appear to have been;
-his facial hair appears to be factory-installed and not after market (à la Sharpie markers);
-and he seems to be genuinely thrilled with his (knock-off) clothing.

I'm concerned because:
-he has crazy long glue-on eyelashes;
-but if he didn't have eyelashes or if they were painted on that would be weird too;
-and I spend too much time pondering this.

  

 "Whoa, man! These knock-off Harley clothes are the bomb! I'm also glad that no one drew in my facial hair!"

The mobile chef in Hamburg

We took a trip to Hamburg this past weekend. I saw the van below and thought it was super cute with a pot on the top of it. As I was grabbing my camera and giggling about the van, the driver came out and grinned at our goofiness. I think it would be awesome to drive a van around with a pot welded to the top of it!

The Zieht table - introducing a draft to the room

I was attending a meeting of an international group at a restaurant. I sat with the English speakers, which happened to be a table of expats. The meeting room was horribly stuffy and I was sweating just sitting there. Our group decided to open the window. We giggled among ourselves, bracing for the onslaught of "Es Zieht!," the exclamation that there's a draft.

See, many Germans are concerned about there being a draft. There is a thought that such a thing can make a person sick. I still haven't wrapped my head around that one because people are encouraged to throw their windows wide open for 5-15 minutes at a time in the winter to air out the house to prevent mold and doing this won't make one sick. However, a misplaced draft, even during the summer, is something to be concerned about, apparently.

I know, from having studied air quality and the like, that it's worse to have everything sealed up tight. I also was feeling a bit ill from the heat. I was so relieved when our renegade table opened the windows. Later, I did see some of the German ladies opening the window on their side so maybe the desire to not pass out from the heat overrode the possibility of the Zieht.