Bringing similar heat, this new Boise restaurant just opened where a ‘legit’ one closed
When Taqueria El Torito shuttered in 2021 after a half-decade run, northwest Boise residents were bummed.
The restaurant was, as one Yelp reviewer wrote, “legit.”
But another family-owned joint, El Faro Mexican Food, just opened in the same space at 4628 W. State St.
And it feels familiar, if even more no-frills.
Like its predecessor, El Faro serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas and tortas. You order at the counter, then sit. In a few minutes, a staffer will bring your meal on a red plastic tray. This is unabashed paper-plate cuisine.
Authentic, basic tacos ($2.99-$3.50) are served street-style: a helping of meat piled atop two small corn tortillas. You walk over to a utilitarian condiments bar to jazz up things yourself — with onion, cilantro, lime and several sauces. Nothing is identified, save for handwritten spice levels. (Heads up: The “Very Spicy” red sauce brings real-deal heat.)
El Faro means “the lighthouse” in Spanish. So this restaurant specializes in seafood, right? Nope, no fish tacos here. But there is camaron (shrimp), one of three tacos I ordered. It was solid, even if I dreamed of camarones a la diabla (chile sauce-spiced) as an option. The lengua (beef tongue) was tender. My favorite of the trio? Marinated adobada (pork) with its addictive, charred flavor.
Want more than a four-bite taco? Burritos range from $9.75 for pollo (chicken) to $11.50 for lengua or asada (grilled meat). Quesadillas go for $7.49 to $9.49. Tortas are $7.25 to $8.50.
El Faro’s menu also offers platters of tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and salads — served with rice and beans. They range from $8.75 for a chicken salad platter to $14 for a steak enchilada platter.
Craving something sweet afterward? Grab arroz con leche (rice pudding, $2), which is dusted with cinnamon.
Takeout should be a popular choice at El Faro. The phone number is (208) 336-9106. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It’s closed Sunday.
As for a website? Nada. But you can find the restaurant on Facebook by searching “El Faro Mexican Food.”
This story was originally published March 21, 2022 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Bringing similar heat, this new Boise restaurant just opened where a ‘legit’ one closed."