Vallejo’s Mexican Restaurant, Colorado Springs

I’ve been on a Mexican kick lately. I’ve been dying for some tasty crispy tacos like at Alice’s. But better, and with better decor, and more reasonable hours, and where I won’t be charged for chips.

Last weekend after our shoot, Janel and Jessika and I wanted to go to dinner. I wanted a cheapo taqueria cuz I only had about 5 bucks. I guess I forgot for a minute that I wasn’t in L.A. or Phoenix and that this kind of thing actually existed and was open.

Jessika and Janel at Vallejo's, Colorado Springs.

We wanted to go to Salsa Latina but they’re not open on weekends. Of course they’re not. Why would they be!? I mean, no one wants to go out to eat on weekends or anything. This sucks because their menu looks exactly like what I wanted. Then we went past El Taco Rey which I knew wouldn’t be open and of course wasn’t. I’ve only been there a few times and I know Mike doesn’t like it that much, but I wanted tacos, dammit! Anyhow, what’s with these people being closed on weekends? The owner of Salsa Latina is the son of the owner of El Taco Rey, so I guess not liking money is genetic.

So, since these places weren’t open on a Saturday night at dinner time, we went over to Vallejo’s at 111 South Corona Street. Just a few blocks east of El Taco Rey.

It was terrible.

The service was OK — the waitress was very nice. But that’s where the goodness ended.

First of all, this charging for chips thing is ridiculous. Why be so damn cheap? These chips were so clearly store bought, it wasn’t even funny. Seriously, I think they’re Tostitos or something. Four bucks for this? I was insulted. And I wasn’t even paying for dinner.

Everything was really expensive. And no spilt plates! — Everything was really expensive. And no split plates!

You’d think since it was so expensive they’d take credit or debit cards. You’d be wrong. But they do take personal checks. Personal checks? Is this 1950?

No credit cards, but yes personal checks!

These three tacos were $7.75. No rice, no beans, no nothing. The shells were store bought and the tacos, while not weird or disgusting, were at best elementary school cafeteria quality. I was having flashbacks to a public school 1st grade lunch where I was horrified and obviously scarred for life as I watched one of the girls eat her taco from the top instead of the side. YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG!

: Cheese tacos from Vallejo’s, Colorado Springs

I usually stay away from meat at places like this but Jessika braved the chicken tacos.

Chicken Tacos from Vallejo's, Colorado Springs

Janel had some bean combination thing that was like a million dollars and equally forgettable. Look at that lamely small portion of rice and beans, which cost extra.

Bean combination plate with rice and beans a la carte.

I do love to eat tacos on weekends, so please tell me some good places (preferably taqueria style, not restaurants) that are open on weekends.