Thunderbird Taco Review

After a long day of disc golf at Nellie’s Course, near Lewisburg, WV, we were all ready for a good lunch. We went to Thunderbird Taco in Lewisburg at our friend Joe’s suggestion. With the State Fair in town, the traffic was insane. We were concerned that the restaurant might be too busy to get a seat, but that was not the case.

Thunderbird Taco shares Washington Street with other restaurants, antique stores, and lovely shops. It is a small store with several booths for seating, attached to another restaurant, Wild Bean. Thunderbird offers semi-counter service. You order at the counter, and then they deliver the food and drinks to you at your table.

Mexican sodas are available, as well as a variety of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The strawberry soda I had was a nice treat, taking me back to drinking grape soda as a kid. Chris was pleased to find they offer two different brands of mezcal, a liquor we have not often found in restaurants. He ordered a mezcal mule, which was delicious. I was thrilled when he let me finish it.

The menu offers appetizers, thirteen different tacos (five of which are vegetarian), burritos, plates, and side dishes. There is a choice of flour or soft corn tortillas, or you can turn any taco into a rice bowl. You can add chicken or beef to any of their tacos or zing it up with extra ‘More Fire!’ sauce. There is a kid’s menu available as well. I love that they use all locally sourced beef and poultry.

Chris and I ordered two tacos each, which was plenty of food. We picked the Regular Crow, made with shredded chicken, jack cheese, mild salsa picante, chopped lettuce, and buttermilk crema. The tacos were fantastic, with beautifully cooked chicken dripping with schmaltz. The jack cheese gave them a hint of heat, while the tang from the buttermilk crema brightened the chicken’s richness. The salsa picante and lettuce rounded out the whole thing.

Chris also ordered the Carne Asada, with marinated and chargrilled beef steak, fresh pico de gallo, onions, and cilantro. The meat was delicious, and the bright pico was a perfect accompaniment.

For my second taco, I chose beef as well with the Birria. Again, the meat was perfectly cooked, braised, oven roasted and marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce. Jack cheese, shredded cabbage, fresh pickled onion & jalapenos, and chimichurri sauce join the beef for a delectable treat. The jalapenos give the taco some in-your-face heat, but the back-end heat from the beef sauce was terrific. It left my tongue burning with delight. I enjoyed the sweet relief of the pickled onions.

The food was quick and delicious, and the staff was also friendly and helpful. It was a great taco experience, and we will definitely return to Thunderbird Taco again.

The cost for a soda, a cocktail, and four tacos was $40.01.