Mexican rice | Mass Food & Wine

BBQ Duck Tacos from Mezcal Tequila Cantina on Major Taylor Boulevard in Worcester, MA

I don’t like Mexican. I am not sure if it’s because of the flavors or that my image of the food genre was tainted because of going to too many Taco Bells as a child. Even during one of many trips to Mexico, I was had pressed to find Mexican to enjoy.

I think that the problem that I have (and I’m sure I’m not alone) is that Mexican goes beyond tacos and burritos—the items most often associated with fast food chains. Upon entering the new location of Mezcal Tequila Cantina, it was immediately evident that the time and money the owners put towards every detail of the aesthetics in the restaurant would be carried through the menu too.

I am a creative and experimental eater, but I will admit, seeing the vast selections of menu items was overwhelming and the fear of choosing something that I may not like (“I know I won’t like!”) trumped my gut instinct to choose a house specialty. I found safety in the taco section and decided on the BBQ Duck soft shell corn tortilla, which included three tacos, shaved lettuce, red radish, jack cheese, and was served with Mexican rice.

I was quick to notice that my dining companions’ dishes looked exotic and delicious—I was jealous the instant I saw the Duck Confit Chimichangas, Jerk-seared Salmon Filet, and even the Mole Chicken. I immediately questioned my decision to order “safe.”

The tacos were a delicate soft shell tortilla that rolled effortlessly around the meat; they were certainly large enough to jam-pack with the cheese and lettuce without making a mess after the first bite. What surprised me the most, however, was the duck. Sure, in my mind it seems like tacos would be the easiest meal in the world to make (disclaimer: I’ve never made tacos at home), but it would take a gourmet chef to prepare the BBQ duck as they did for the tacos. The BBQ duck seemed out of place in my mind, like wearing a tuxedo to a pool party. Granted, the combination of the meat and tacos made for an extraordinary meal, but the duck was so good Mezcal could have artistically dolloped the portion onto an oversized white serving dish and charged double for fine dining. Beautifully pulled apart, the meat was incredibly moist with the gamey flavor unique to the bird, complimented by the perfect amount of house made BBQ. The duck was exquisite.

Overall, I was very pleased that my first Mexican meal at the new location of Mezcal was safe and fulfilling. Knowing the flavors that existed in such a “simple” dish made me wish that I had gone outside the border of my comfort zone and tried one of the especialidades de la casa. But, I am pleased that I know that I can enjoy Mexican when it’s done right and I look forward to many more trips to Major Taylor Boulevard in Worcester, MA.

Fish Tacos from Mezcal Tequila Cantina on Major Taylor Boulevard

Having been to Mezcal Tequila Cantina a few times, I was anxious to try the new incarnation so when our Foodies group decided to go there, I was very much looking forward to the evening. First off, the new space is amazing. Located street level under the parking garage on Major Taylor Blvd across from the DCU Center, Mezcal is huge spanning most of the entire length of the building. There are lots of distinct seating areas and a large bar area that opens to the kitchen. And, as with everything that Niche Hospitality does, there is an attention to detail and decor that does not go unnoticed.

The expanded menu had many of the things you would expect to see at a Mexican restaurant such as quesadillas, tacos and burritos, but there is so much more and I knew they all would be done in a way only Mezcal can do. My dining partner and I started with the guacamole sampler, three choices of guacamole served with a plentiful amount of chips. Our three choices, all handmade and fresh, were the traditional, mediterranean and the special of the night, a bacon guacamole. All three were outstanding but the mediterranean – filled with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and feta cheese, stood out with a flavor and texture that was a great way to start the meal. Next came my meal, the Fish Tacos served with warm, soft corn tortillas, lettuce, jack cheese and side of authentic Mexican rice. The fish was tender and light, perfectly seasoned with chili and topped with a habanero slaw that provided enough heat, while not overpowering the delicate white fish. The crunchy texture of the lettuce and the slaw was a great contrast to the soft tortilla and the creamy jack cheese.

My entire dining experience was outstanding, the food, the atmosphere and service at Mezcal was top notch and I can’t wait to go back and try some of the new offerings.