This Friday we went to dinner at a new restaurant in town, Camp Taco. I personally was very excited for this place to open. I am a huge Yellow Rocket fan. For those of you not from Little Rock, Yellow Rocket Concepts is a restaurant group who created most of my favorite restaurants. When in LR you must go to Local Lime, Big Orange, and Heights Tacos and Tamales (all on my list of favorites). I also love tex mex. So you understand why I was so excited. I left work as early as humanly possible and we rushed across town to try to beat the rush of opening Friday crowds. When we got there it was packed and buzzing with energy, and we were lucky to snag the last indoor table without a wait. Of course with any restaurant there will be some growing pains. Overall the staff was experienced and worked well together. My only complaint is that they were out of frozen margaritas, I suspect due to under ordering. Rett and I first ordered the Double Vision Pina Colada. It was portioned for 2 and served in a pineapple. It was very fun and worth the memory, though a little over the top.
Then we tried the margaritas which were tart and delightful. Camp Taco is also a small batch brewery so next time we plan to try a flight of their beers. For appetizers we tried the white poblano cheese dip and the fresh salsa. The cheese dip and chips were a 10/10, though the salsa was more like a chunky pico than a true salsa.
I ordered the Bandito Pollo tacos and Rett tried the Pastor Classico tacos. We both agree the taco selection was more limited than other Yellow Rocket restaurants. I liked my tacos, however it was very similar in flavor to the Heights Taco chicken tacos. The beans were underwhelming and I am usually a big fan of beans. The rice was a big surprise. It was perfectly buttery and the vegetables were fresh and crunchy. It was nostalgic, reminiscent of cafeteria rice from grade school, but made fresh by a professional chef. I couldn't stop eating it.
I honestly feel the 2 biggest detractors from Camp Taco were the limited menu selection of drinks and food, and the uninspired menu. The restaurant took elements from the menus of other Yellow Rocket restaurants, and each element fell a little flat in comparison to the original. When my favorite things I tried were the cheese dip and the rice, there is a problem. I give the overall food and drink experience a 6/10. Okay, on to the aesthetic. It was quirky and nostalgic. The wood paneling, school house chairs, and decor gave a funky 1970s school house or summer camp vibe which I dig. I wore my favorite pink romper in anticipation and it definitely fit the vibe.
There is a large covered patio with twinkle lights and a large outdoor area with picnic tables and stage for live music. All around fun. The 70s are one of my favorite decades and they pulled it off so I give the aesthetics a 9/10. We were too full to try the boozy popsicles, so I can't give my opinion on those yet, but I am definitely going back to try them. I have lots of reasons to go back (foods and drinks to try, the fun experience) and plan to soon.
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