Serving up college town-style budget Tex-Mex, The Taco Stand has been an Athens institution for 30 years, with three Classic City locations and another in Watkinsville. A Buckhead outpost closed in 2010. But a new Taco Stand recently opened in Alpharetta at the corner of Mansell Road Old and the Alabama Road Connector.
The look: Fans of the lived-in feel of the original Athens stand at North Milledge and Prince may be surprised by the relatively upscale air of the Alpharetta shopping center location. The contemporary storefront accommodates a spacious dining room, a separate bar area and room for private parties.
The scene: One weekday afternoon, the bar was the place to be. TVs were tuned to the Masters Golf Tournament and chips and salsa ($2.99) and burritos ($4.99-$6.99) were the lunch favorites. Evenings, the crowds range from families to sports and trivia fans to couples out for a cheap dinner and drinks.
The menu: As the Taco Stand expanded to become a small franchise, the menu expanded, too, adding soups, salads, burgers, wings and kid’s meals. But tacos are still the best sellers, starting with the “traditional” ($1.99) with ground beef or refried beans, cheese, lettuce and sauce. Specialty tacos ($2.49) include pulled pork, fried chicken and fried tilapia.
The drinks: The full bar features house margaritas served in pint glasses ($5), as well as wine by the bottle or glass. The draft beer menu includes a good number of craft, local and seasonal selections, including Sweetwater IPA ($4.50).
The extras: Look for lots of weekly events, such as poker nights, team trivia and ladies night. University of Georgia football game parties will feature pint, pitcher and cocktail specials.
Dining out
The Taco Stand
11 a.m.-1 a.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Closed Mondays.
Appetizers, soups and salads, $1.99-$7.99; tacos and burritos, $1.99-$6.99; burgers and sandwiches, $6.99-$7.99; wings, $4.99 -$22.99.
10595 Old Alabama Road Connector, Alpharetta, 404-754-4500, www.thetacostand.com/alpharetta
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