Soul Taco - Shockoe Slip

Jackson WardOne of the striking things about digging into the menu at Soul Taco is how conscientious it is about specific flavors. If you get the roasted sweet potato and black-eyed peas taco, you will taste the sweet potato, avocado, cilantro cream, and more. While there’s certainly something to be said for a taco filled with a Jenga Tower’s worth of ingredients and the cascading effect that will follow when you take a bite, Soul Taco makes a strong and persuasive case of how good something can be when it sets a target and hits the mark.

The culinary vision of this restaurant is to combine the style of Latin American cuisine, the comfort of Southern cuisine, and the fresh and vibrant ingredients of California-style cooking to create tacos that are distinctly Southern U.S. Their menu is ever changing, but the quality and deliciousness of each taco is consistent. Tacos are sold individually, so you can mix and match to try all of their unique offerings. The Cornmeal Crusted Catfish taco (Maryland Blue Cornmeal crusted blue catfish, tomatillo salsa, red cabbage slaw, and hot sauce aioli) is a Southern-inspired favorite, as is the Buttermilk Battered Fried Chicken taco (Buttermilk battered fried chicken, pickled red onions, avocado, chipotle BBQ crema, and agave hot sauce).

Co-owned by Trey Owens, Ari Augenbaum, and Narine Hovnanian – they’re also behind the very popular Soul Taco – the restaurant marries African and Jewish cuisine with original dishes like the best-selling Ghanaian Peanut Soup with Morrocan lamb kreplach (Jewish dumplings) in a colorful, '70s-inspired setting. “We wanted to reintroduce African and Jewish food to our local culinary scene because it’s been largely forgotten,” says Owens. “We also want to change how people view Africa, because it’s not just a continent.

Marrying Southern staples like cornmeal-crusted catfish and black-eyed peas to traditional Tex-Mex, Soul Taco is the place to go to find a truly unique twist on the taco. From chicken-fried carne asada tacos to hush puppy nachos, this menu will have something for everyone, depending on how daring a diner is willing to be. Chow down on tacos as well as Southern and Mexican fusion snacks like pulled pork carnitas while taking in the cozy storefront’s vibrant artwork, including a pop art treatment of Frida Kahlo.

Soul Taco, situated in the lively downtown area, combines Southern comfort food with traditional Mexican street fare to create a unique and flavorful dining experience. The Braised Beef Brisket Tacos are a must-try, offering melt-in-your-mouth brisket with rich, savory flavors. The Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos bring the heat with their spicy, crispy chicken, while the Cauliflower Tacos provide a delicious vegetarian option that doesn't skimp on taste.

Soul Taco is where the vibrant essence of Latin American cuisine dances with the hearty comfort of Southern cooking. The cornmeal-crusted catfish taco, a standout item, encapsulates this fusion perfectly, offering a delightful crunch followed by the succulent flavors of perfectly seasoned fish. The restaurant's lively atmosphere, adorned with bright, cheerful colors, mirrors the vibrant flavors served, making each visit a festive dining adventure.

Price range for tacos: $4 to $5Recommended dish: Cornmeal-crusted catfish taco. Latin flavors combine with a soul food twist to create Soul Taco, which has two locations in Richmond, in the Jackson Ward and Shockoe Slip neighborhoods. Takeout is a possibility, but many travelers prefer dining in the colorful establishment, though some warn it can get crowded.

A blend of casual dining with an upscale, full-service experience is at the heart of Soul Taco. The menu is constantly evolving to represent the landscape of Latin American flavors and Southern comfort food. With dishes such as cornmeal-crusted catfish tacos and hush-puppy nachos, the restaurant unifies patrons with a deep love of food and culture.

Soul Taco made national headlines with a spot on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!. Soul Taco, located in Shockoe Slip, combines flavors and tastes of Latin America, comfort and nostalgia of the South, and vibrant ingredients and California-style cooking. We can eat the Buttermilk Battered Fried Chicken taco all day, every day.

This modern shop has a surprising twist on tacos and all of their dishes are inspired by southern comfort foods. This small spot is the perfect place to grab lunch with a few close friends. Make sure you check out their Cornmeal Crusted Catfish tacos or the Hush Puppy Nachos for something new and exciting!

A post shared by SoulTacoRVA (@soultacorva) on Feb 26, 2019 at 6:40am PST. "Because a taco with no soul is just a sandwich," proclaims Soul Taco. The restaurant combines Southern cooking with Latin American flair and a California twist.

If you're hoping for a socially-distanced meet-cute, Soul Taco is playing matchmaker this Valentine's Day by offering you a virtual, blind date when you pick up 2 tacos and a strawberry margarita on V-Day.

This creation falls under the “Tacos With Soul” portion of the menu at this eatery. Whimsical root beer-braised oxtail joins pineapple and roasted jalapeno salsa, chicharrones and a house-made hot sauce.

Main Street, Shockoe SlipThis modern, fast-casual restaurant combines Southern favorites with taco staples. From Monday to Friday between 11AM and 3PM, you can get any three items for just $12.

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (12 reviews)- Detailed ratings: not available- Price: $- Address: 321 N 2nd St, Richmond, VA 23219-1725- Read more on Tripadvisor

Fieri was last spotted in Richmond in September 2019 when he visited Perly's, The Fancy Biscuit, ZZQ, Soul Taco, and Pops on Grace.