Just about a mile from Brunswick City Hall, in the original Fat & Fine location on Norwich, is a restaurant that is really raising the bar on Latin cuisine. Fresh, made from scratch, authentic Mexican food in a friendly little building with great outdoor seating, Taqueria Tikal is the kind of neighborhood place you want to drop by once or twice a week. Serving up everything from soup, sandwiches, salads, and burgers, the real highlight is the great selection of tacos.
We came to film an episode of Brunswick Eats on a beautiful spring day, and we were hungry. We got tacos with chicken, chorizo, carnitas, the Baja style fish and shrimp, tacos al pastor and a chicken burrito. Everything we ordered was mind-blowing delicious.
Chef Alan Vera started his culinary journey as a small boy in the kitchen with his grandma in Mexico where he learned centuries old traditions. He then went to culinary school, and really cut his chops on the Royal Caribbean Cruise lines. He’s cooked in Italy, Spain, Texas, Orlando and most recently Sea Island where his Italian experience served him well as he headed up Tavola at The Cloister.
When local businessman Neri Molina decided to open a restaurant on Norwich, he wisely called on Chef Alan, who is now the face of the place (and the genius mastermind). They’ve done such a wonderful job renovating. You feel welcome when you pull up to that colorful sign featuring the quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala where owner, Molina grew up. And the service is friendly and top notch.
The passion and the skills of Chef Alan really are the star here. The flavors of his marinades that infuse the meat really shine. They are the kind of make-your-mouth-happy flavors you never knew you were missing, deeply Mexican, deeply fresh and so satisfying. And they keep everything from the chicken to the asada so juicy and tender.
His tacos Pastor really stand out. They are slow roasted on the spit (think shawarma) and seasoned with Chef Alan’s magic herbs and spices. The tacos are divine, so fresh, and you really want to take advantage of the pickled onions, cilantro, and the incredible salsa and sauces served up.
PRO TIP: Save some time on your weekend. That’s when Chef dishes out chicken, adobo ribs, skirt steak and potatoes off the formidable smoker beside the restaurant. You don’t want to miss it.
Everything here is so good. Watch our episode below, then go get you some tacos, and tell em’ Brunswick Eats sent you!
TAQUERIA TIKAL
2412 Norwich St, Brunswick, GA 31520
7 Days 11am-9pm
Tel: 912-289-6361