The Mad Taco

Buried in a shopping center, it's quite the hangout for locals. Boisterous and noisy . Heavy metal soundtrack, Kung Fu movies. Rag tag interior. Hill Farmstead on tap. Not for everyone.

Visited 3 times, but I can’t remember exact dates except 7-15 so I’m using that. It’s located in a plaza complex so plenty of parking. Bit confusing of a set-up, or maybe I’m just dumb. You can order from a side window or the bar. There’s seating inside and outside, but no signs saying that no one takes orders and you’re on your own. We finally figured it out and stood and read the signs to decide on food. Service was ok, kind of made you feel stupid for asking questions. The annoying drunk guy at the bar yapping and being obnoxious about people being dumb and not figuring things out really annoyed me. To the point I told him to shut up and I didn’t need to hear him any longer. Anyway, beer selection was great. Focal and Heady cans, plus good Vermont locals on tap including Lawsons and HF. I thought the food was really good. Got a pork burrito one time and then the fish tacos twice. I love spicy stuff so their inhouse sauces were a huge plus. I think each time we went they had between 5 and 7 homemade sauces with a heat scale chart so you knew what to expect. I will say the drunk guy chimed in again when I was reading the sign, names, and heat level. At this point I almost punched him off the stool. I said I’ve never been here and am reading the signs and if you talk to me again we will have a problem. He shut up and left shortly after. He seemed like a local, so hopefully no one else has this issue. Value was good, maybe a bit high, but nothing to scoff at. Overall really good food and beer to enjoy with it. I obviously like it going 3 times in a week and we were in Waterbury so it was a little drive there.

A nice little saving-grace spot in this ski-resort town. The mini-mall location and completely undeveloped interior are inarguably ugly. Counter service; certain stereotypes apply. Good selection of VT beers on tap and in can, including HF, Lawson’s, and Alchemist, to enjoy with a satisfying plate of Mexicanish food. The sidewalk patio offers a pleasant escape from the claustrophobic interior, but beers are only allowed outside until 8 pm.

First of all, I’ve only been on normal days when it wasn’t crazy. The food here is good. their most mild hot sauce was still crazy hot. Not a bad Taqueria experience but not traditional mexican in any way. Good draft list, I’d go back. The tacos are a bit expensive for what you get.

Visited on a saturday afternoon before our session at Lawson’s Farmer Market. Weird located in a small mall. Probably the ugliest location for a Vermont pub.

Ambiance: There was a bunch of people, but it wasn’t at full capacity. Music inside was extremely loud, I guess they wanted people to go outside to have a beautiful view on the parking lot,

Service: Super slow (everybody looked either drunk or stoned) but also rather friendly... and since it was Lawson’s Anniversary I guess they had quite a day already.

Selection: Really nice selection with a lot of Lawson’s on tap. The menu seems to be nice as well when there’s no Lawson’s party.

Food: Didn’t tried the food, but it looked really tasty. Next time I will make sure to order something.

Value: Beer prices are quite good.

Overall: Not exactly the atmosphere I’m looking for, but a place I would visit again for the nice beer selection and the food that looked good if I’m back in the area.

Stopped by on the day of Lawson’s Finest anniversary bottle release. Accessibility: It’s in a mini mall, so lots of parking is easily available. Don’t think buses drive by very often. There were quite a few people there but not overcrowded. It was hard to stay in the bar because the music was so loud, gotta get used to this party atmosphere. Anyway, they had a lots of Lawson’s on tap which was nice, pint prices were reasonable. Didn’t eat here but the food looked really tasty, probably the best part of this place because the vibe and decor really didn’t do it for me. Service was stoner-slow.

Stopped by very early in the morning for Lawson’s tickets. They were offering free breakfast and a new Lawson’s release. Draft menu is solid, chill bros working, but not the best atmosphere.

Great place to grab some cheap eats and great selection of craft brews. On my first visit had a couple of HF What is Enlightenment, and instantly fell in love.

Could it be the less charming place on ratebeer? Most beer places in Vermont are charming, everything is charming in Vermont. Not this Mad Taco. Awkwardly located on the ground floor of some kind of commercial & apartment building. View on the parking. A terrace in front looking at the parking but you cannot bring your beer outside!!!?!!! Ugly place to say the least. However the tap-list is well selected. They are physically close to Lawsons seem to be friends with mr Lawson so you are pretty much guaranteed to have one or two Lawsons on tap. For a special limited Lawsons release this place is one of your best bet. I went there because I knew they had Collaboration Time I on tap while it was gone from everywhere in VT. You are also pretty much guaranteed one or two Hill Farmstead and a few other quality beers. Focus on Vermont beer. Food is excellent, I love Mad Taco, I would make a detour for this Mad Taco but they now have a concession at Backblack in Waterbury so I can get my Mad Taco fix without getting out of my way. Service is typical small VT place, ultra-friendly stoner dudes with the mandatory grunge look, this is VT how I like it. I love everything about this place except the physical place itself.

An awesome little place. I came here at 9:30am and had the huevos rancheros with an HF Abner; it’s nice to know there is a place where I can go to drink HF beer with my breakfast. (I gather you could even get beer right when the place opens at 8am.) The eggs were great, very well made and tasty. The prices here are decent - but you do get great food and world-class beer. The staff are friendly and enhance this place’s laid-back vibe. If you like Mexican food and/or beer, this is a must-visit. (Also, there is a supermarket that carries good beer right next door - Mehuron’s.)