One of the best parts of Berks County Eats is that I get to be intentional about exploring parts of Berks County. It gives me an excuse to go to all corners of the county and reminds me how close everything really is.
A few years ago, when my daily commute included the Turnpike, I spent a lot of time in Morgantown. It feels so far away, but it’s not much more than 20 minutes from my home base in Wyomissing. In the early days of the blog, I discovered a great spot in Morgantown called Billy Burger – it quickly became my go-to spot for burgers.
Unfortunately, Billy Burger closed several years ago, and the location – an old Dairy Queen in the Wal-Mart shopping center (technically, the address is Elverson) – sat empty. That is until Taco Fest opened in the space in February 2023.Â
The first thing you notice when you walk into Taco Fest is the photo station – a little corner with two wicker chairs in front of a large green wall with the restaurant’s logo shining bright in the middle.
All around are bright colors – streamers outside and inside, bright pink walls by the restrooms, and chairs of yellow, green and orange at tables and counters throughout the dining area.
Ordering is done at the counter where the ingredients are shown off behind the glass, ala Moe’s or Chipotle.
I ordered the birria tacos with a side of chips and salsa and a glass of horchata.
Of course I had to take a quick sit in the photo area for a selfie with my cup of horchata.
For those who haven’t tried it, horchata has the consistency and look of milk, but it’s actually rice-infused water with cinnamon and other flavors. Taco Fest’s version was very good – nice and creamy with cinnamon spice.
It was a few minutes later when they brought my meal to the table. (The birria tacos being one of the few items that weren’t made in front of you).
The tacos come three to an order, more than enough for a meal. Birria tacos feature slow-roasted, marinated beef that are added with cheese (and onions and cilantro) to a taco shell, which has been dipped in broth and fried to a crisp. It comes served with a cup of broth for dipping to make it a cross between a taco and a French dip.
I love birria tacos, and I really liked those I got at Taco Fest. The meat was tender and flavorful. I squeezed a little lime juice on for a little tart acidity. Overall, they were good, though I could have probably stopped after two instead of eating all three.
Because I didn’t stop, I didn’t have room for the side of tortilla chips that I ordered. Instead, I ate a handful while I was there and saved the rest for later. The chips were delicious and seemed just a little thicker than other places. The salsa was good – not too spicy – the perfect vessel for the tortillas.
Overall, I spent about $20 for the meal. It’s more than I would normally pay for a lunch for myself, but I knew I was going to spend a little more because I was splurging for the horchata and the side of chips. At $12.99, the birria tacos are priced right for a hefty lunch or solid dinner.
I don’t get to Morgantown often, but I would definitely stop in again if I was in the area and in the mood for some solid Mexican food.
It’s not Billy Burger, but it’s good.
BCE Rating
Food: Good
Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Price: $$
Taco Fest
650 Crossings Blvd
Elverson, PA 19520
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