Un baño nostálgico
This mid-sized Mexican restaurant has been a north-side Chicago neighborhood staple for at least 20-years. Their tacos and bowl-sized margaritas survived the pandemic closures of 2020 and our likely to keep churning stomachs of satisfied patrons.
According to their website, Tarascas wants their customers to, “take a flavorful tour of Mexican cuisine.” This is by no means false advertising. Tarascas restaurant serves-up a variety of dishes that include, tacos, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, and more. They also have a range of appetizers, soups, salads, and desserts. Most people are going to pair their food with a seemingly gallon-sized margaritas. In all honesty, it’s the type of menu that one would expect from any legit Mexican restaurant.
Mexican food is widely recognized as being delicious. Breakfast burritos to late night tacos… Shout out to the red, white, and green! Aside from the people, the country’s greatest export is easily their food.
It’s a widely accepted fact, burritos and beans are beunisimo. However, a trip to the bathroom will be necessary in the near future. The restrooms at Tarascas may seem a bit rough, but the food and drink that propelled you there in the first place will at least have you in a good mood.
Walking into the bathroom at Tarascas may cause a slightly older individual to feel a twinge of nostalgia. The somewhat clean but somewhat unclean tiling, flickering light and a slight scent of Lysol will warp you back to a simpler time. Or perhaps remind you of your own bathroom.
The bathroom is a single serving room that has a “currently in-college,” of a “few years post-college,” vibe to the décor. The sink that sits atop of the older wooden cabinet lends a feeling that you could open the doors and find personal toiletries inside.
The only way of knowing that this is a public restaurant bathroom is due to the hand washing signage for the employees. Honestly, many of us have had prior roommates in the past that have found such accoutrements as legitimate bathroom art. Even the lock on the door, seems like it was a self-installed addition to prevent the hungover roommate from bumbling through the closed door, rudely interrupting a burrito bowl movement.
This bathroom has everything that is needed for a post-pico de gallo pit stop. The toilet paper was plentiful, and the soap dispenser was filled. Tarascas does not have electric hand dryers. However, there is no need when the staff clearly recognize the importance of an ample amount of paper towels…which should never be flushed! Our warrior plumber readers are nodding at this comment in approval.
It is reasonable to assert, the smell of any Mexican restaurant’s bathroom is likely an artificial veneer attempting to mask the odor of thousands of relieved tacos. Thanks to the staff, the bathroom at Tarascas is relatively void of any scent of past salsa entrenched bowel movements. A bathroom that lacks the nostril assault of improperly digested steak enchilada is trending in the right direction.
One of the lesser realized but interesting characteristics of the Tarascas restroom is the toilet. I only noticed the brand post-flush after my approval of the water pressure. Produced by Eljer, an American Standard company, Eljer specializes in plumbing products like toilets, sinks, and bathtubs. Founded in 1904, the company has been cranking out poop-catchers for almost 120-years. Henry Ford set the then land speed record of 91 mph in 1904. In theory, Henry either crapped his pants when he hit 90 mph or saved it for an Eljer toilet.
This old school, contemporary design was popularized by consumers in the 1960s and 1970s. Needless to say it added to the nostalgia of bidding adieu to number two at the grandparents’ house… Although this seat was missing the cushion.
Is Tarascas Poopable?
The restrooms at first glance may appear to be a place where only a number one is viable, however, the nostalgic sentiment and clean appearance make this restroom plenty poopable!
Understanding the drawbacks of the restrooms are the single serving capacity, and the locking mechanisms could visually make a squatting patron leery of an unprompted, “oh sorry!” Perhaps an honest gauge of intestinal strength regarding the rendering of a spicy enchilada benign, would be a wise strategy.
Tarascas is the type of place that can get very busy during peak hours but also can provide a relatively quiet restaurant experience during off-hours. The bathroom is plenty poopable and may inadvertently flash you back to that old first apartment. Poopable’s staff recommendation for those apprehensive public poopers, check out Tarascas for lunch or during off-hours… Or make it in for their 45.5-ounce Margarita, while likely not the intention, it’s enough tequila to say adios to any stage fright.
Jeff G