R&R Taqueria has been lauded by How Chow for years, it was on Diners Drive-in’s and Dives on the Food Network, but until recently I never had a chance to visit. Even still, I never doubted that their food was probably great, How Chow is rarely wrong (even though I have to disagree about Ananda in Maple Lawn).
Now that I’ve visited R&R (not once, but twice! in the past 2 weeks I can now firmly pass judgement on their food).
For years R&R used to be inside a gas station which made visiting it a chore (at least mentally), but recently they’ve moved right next door to a tiny strip shopping center with ample parking and tons of seating. R&R sits along Route 1 & Rt. 175 in Howard County and it’s very easy to get to now.
When you walk into R&R you quickly realize that you have a TON of options to choose from. You order from the counter which has a gigantic menu overhead, once your order is placed the R&R staff brings your dish out to you.
There are your standard Mexican (Central American) dishes like tacos and burritos, but then you have other cool options like Huaraches & Sopes. Huaraches are a traditional Mexican dish which include a fried masa base topped with delicious cheese, meat, sour cream, and avocados. Sopes are similar to huaraches, they’re smaller but packed with meat, cheese, and refried beans, basically heaven.
The prices are very reasonable as a regular taco costs about $2.00, I advise you get a variety of items to truly taste all the deliciousness that R&R has to offer. The meat options range from standard pork, carne asada, ground beef, and chicken to Carnitas, Pork Rinds, Pork Belly, Tongue, and brains among other things. I advise going with the classic staple, carnitas, for all your dishes (at least for your first time). The carnitas are prepared perfectly, tender and broiled to perfection so they’re juicy and crispy.
I ordered a trio of tacos and Huaraches during my first visit, and during my second visit I went with tacos, Huaraches, and Sopes. The tacos are prepared perfectly, you have corn tortillas that are prepared perfectly and appear to be handmade. Rather than the typical gritty corn tortilla texture, their tortillas are pillowy and perfect. The tacos are topped with simple toppings like cilantro, lime, and onions, you can opt to add cheese and other toppings but it’s extra.
The real star of the show though is the Huarache. They are AMAZING! I had never tried one before, but it’s literally one of the best things I have ever eaten.
I’ve talked about the positives which are many, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the negatives. First, R&R seems to always be having some sort of AC issues, so if you go on a super hot & humid day like I did both times, be prepared to sweat your proverbial BALLS off. It gets really uncomfortable. Next the queso lacks any punch or volume, don’t bother getting it. I thought it would be great, but it’s really an afterthought. Outside of those things, R&R really hits everything out of the park.
Overall R&R Taqueria has quickly vaulted to maybe the best Mexican restaurant in Howard County in my book, the only thing that holds it back in my book is the environment that’s a little lacking and its weak chip game.
