Tried birria tacos at I Love Tacos yet? They live up to the hype

In my caution, I had been mostly steering clear of dining at restaurants, sticking mostly to places where I could carry out or sit outside. But on a rainy day when patio dining wasn’t an option, I made the choice to dine at I Love Tacos in Jeffersontown to try the famed birria tacos.

I’m so glad I did.

I’d been tracking photos and near-squealing gushes about the tacos on social media and my curiosity was powerful. I had gone to vote in East Louisville and decided to reward myself with tacos on a day when the skies refused to stop pouring. I did a Google search for nearby Mexican restaurants and realized I Love Tacos was just eight minutes away. It was an easy decision to make.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the place, even at lunchtime, only mildly busy, with plenty of space to keep my distance from other diners. The staff greeted me with a (masked) smile and the friendliness never wavered. I told my server pretty much as soon she brought my soft drink (yes, you can get an adult beverage there if you choose). She smiled knowingly when I told her what I wanted; clearly, she is no stranger to the local hype.

The birria taco, traditionally made with lamb or goat meat, is presented with tender brisket as the main course in the I Love Tacos version. The double corn tortilla is fried with the ingredients plopped on top, shredded brisket, tons of white cheese, onions and cilantro. The tender, juicy meat and gobs of gooey cheese make these things mouth-watering to begin with, but the magic comes in how they’re served.

Along with your tacos (two for $8.99), you’ll get a cup of the delicious broth from the slow-cooked brisket, as well as a verde salsa and a couple lime wedges. Dip your tacos in the broth bite after bite and what you get is something you will want again and again. It’s savory and hearty and oh, so messy — plan on at least two napkins per taco, with a lot of finger-licking along the way (I almost felt like I needed to take another shower afterward). Also, I could barely finish mine. This is quite a meal for just nine bucks; gets sides if you dare, but arrive hungry, and prepare for a fight.

The menu at I Love Tacos isn’t expansive, but there’s plenty to like if you aren’t ready to tackle the birria — Mexican classics like tortas, burritos, quesadillas, tacos and more are available and the whole menu looks inviting. But, man, if you go … you’d be remiss to not at least try the birria tacos.

Oh, and another location is going to open soon in the Highlands, at the former Panera Bread/ear X-Tacy. I promise you won’t be sorry if you go. Truth be told, you’ll probably see me there with meat juice dripping from my elbows.