Taco Cat New at Western Market

Photo credit: Kaitlyn Lemanek (‘27)

Walls students all have their staple restaurants for off-campus lunch. Whether it’s Chipotle, the GW Deli, or one of the various small spots in Western Market, there’s no shortage of options. However, there had always been one thing missing:

A taco place.

Sure, there’s Chipotle, with their bowls, burritos, salads, and quesadillas—or Arepa Zone, which makes killer arepas and has amazing sides. But where were the tacos?

On Jul. 14, Taco Cat opened in Western Market, right across from Chipotle, finally satisfying that craving for a hearty taco on Tuesdays (or any day of the week). As the name suggests, Taco Cat focuses on providing terrific tacos, brilliant burritos, and superb sides—and they succeeded. 

Owned by Tim Ma Hospitality Group, Taco Cat is the company’s first foray into Latin American cuisine. All of the group’s other restaurants–including Lucky Danger, Kata, and Sushi Sato–center Asian and Asian American flavors. Tim Ma Hospitality Group did not respond to request for comment. 

Taco Cat offers a variety of delicious tacos, like the “El Gringo” taco, their basic taco done really well, with spiced ground beef, lettuce, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, and crema. For anyone vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, or lactose intolerant, they’ve got you covered: all tacos are customizable, so you can remove vegetables, sauces, or meat as needed. And if you have a sweet tooth, the churros are impeccable.

While some menu items are pricier, Taco Cat also has budget-friendly options. A few low-cost items include five-dollar tacos, five-dollar chips and dip, and six-dollar elote. The rest of their tacos are reasonably priced, ranging from $3.50 to $8.

Burritos are a bit more expensive, ranging from $14 to $16. Drinks include Jarritos and other sodas, and for something different, the hibiscus lemonade tea is a good alternative. Free water cups are also available. Prices are similar to other options in Western Market, with both cheaper and more expensive options. The priciest item is the Del Norte burrito, which comes with beans, cheese, caramelized onions, salsa roja, guacamole, and your choice of steak or chicken.

For students with first lunch, wait times are minimal if you order at the start of lunch. Around 12:30 p.m., things pick up with the lunch rush from GW students and local office workers. But the cozy atmosphere and plentiful seating make the wait enjoyable.

So, if you’re craving a good taco, a delightful burrito, or just some chips and dip, check out Taco Cat!