We Recommend: TacoVino in Downtown Corvallis

Located near the riverfront in downtown Corvallis, TacoVino offers creative fusion tacos alongside more traditional fare like Al Pastor and fish tacos. The entire food menu is gluten-free and both omnivores and vegetarians will find something tasty. Thanks to the menu, friendly service, and relaxed ambiance, it is a favorite with Willamette Valley locals and visitors.

We caught up with co-owner John Sobolewski, who co-founded TacoVino, along with chef Jason Biga. John said that Jason enjoys creating taco versions of their favorite foods. Taco Vino’s rotating special menu highlights some of their recent experiments in taco creation as well as returning customer favorites. 

“We wanted a restaurant where people could come twice a week and not get tired of it because we have a lot of options and to make it affordable,” John said.

The team at TacoVino standing in front of their mural. Photo courtesy of TacoVino.

From Idea to Reality

Both John and Jason have been in the restaurant business as employees for years and had a dream of opening their own place. According to John, Jason had already come up with the name TacoVino before they met. The two previously worked together at another restaurant and would bounce ideas off each other. 

As John recalls, “We clicked and we kind of complement each other. We wanted to do something that we were passionate about. We wanted to do food that we loved, and we wanted to do things a little bit better.”

They shared a vision for the kind of food they wanted to bring to the community. “We wanted to do food that was kind of made from scratch and we didn’t want to cut corners. I grew up in restaurants and that’s important to me. That was important to him as well.” 

It all came together when their current space became available. John and Jason rolled up their sleeves and used their handy skills to build the space to fit their aesthetics and vision. 

Taco Innovations

The focus is on tacos partially because they can keep tacos affordable while still using high-quality and locally sourced ingredients. While they describe the tacos as “inauthentic,” they “don’t cut corners,” and the team makes everything from scratch. For example, every day, they craft their corn tortilla from masa. Chef Jason exercises his culinary creativity by drawing from some of their favorite dishes and ingredients not commonly associated with tacos.

“Our idea was any of our favorite foods could be tacos,” John explained. “We eat out a lot and just think about food that inspires us.” 

If you personally don’t enjoy tacos you have plenty of options, including salads like roasted chickpeas and greens or local farm beet salad. Larger plates or bowls, including their crispy duck plate, are also great options if you have a heartier appetite. Of course, you can also order the tacos without the house-made tortilla if you prefer a lower-carb lifestyle. 

The Vino in TacoVino

Photo courtesy of TacoVino.

As the name implies, TacoVino has an extensive wine list and bar. “We wanted to represent wine,  being in the valley here with world-class, amazing wine producers and grape growers,”  As John explained, “We love wine. It’s a passion of ours!”

In addition to an extensive wine list, TacoVino offers three of their own house-made sangrias. John sees sangria as “a way to get people into a fun, relaxed version of the wine world.”

Their bar manager Matt infuses the same creativity into the drinks that Jason infuses into the menu. In addition to the three signature sangrias, rotating seasonal margaritas and other creative hand-crafted cocktails complement the fusion tacos. 

The Willamette Valley is also home to quality craft beer. The TacoVino website indicates that the only thing that isn’t gluten-free on their menu is beer. Whether you enjoy craft beer, hand-crafted cocktails, wine, or non-alcohol drinks, they have you covered. 

Recommendations for Dietary Adaptations

Since the staff at TacoVino make everything from scratch or to order, they can accommodate a range of dietary restrictions or lifestyles. Just ask your server for suggestions or let them know about any allergies. 

Off-hand here are a few suggestions based on our experience as local customers:

• Vegetarian – the standard menu and specials menu includes vegetarian options and sometimes vegan selections. Tacos, salads, guacamole, and appetizers are all possibilities.
• Gluten-free – TacoVino’s website notes that everything is gluten-free except for the beer. Be sure to talk with your server about specifics if you have allergies. 
• Low carb – in addition to salads, you could simply order any taco with low-carb fillings without the tortilla and similar modifications apply to the platters or bowls. 
• Vegan – TacoVino’s standard menu has a couple of vegan taco selections and other vegetarian tacos may be modified to exclude cheese or egg. 
• Food allergies – talk with your service for ideas as they know the menu well and if they don’t know they do know who to ask. 

A Lively Downtown Corvallis Location

TacoVino has indoor and outdoor seating. Photo courtesy of TacoVino.

TacoVino is located along the Corvallis riverfront so it is a great place to stop for lunch after a riverfront walk or bike ride. The downtown location and lively atmosphere also make it an ideal choice for a night out.

“It’s loud and a little chaotic,” John said while describing the vibe at TacoVino, “and it’s a fun place to be!” 

When you set foot inside, you may notice a flood of bright colors, an extensive library of cookbooks, and eclectic art. 

The friendly, knowledgeable staff describe the specials and are welcoming. Be aware TacoVino doesn’t take reservations, so you may have a short wait if you go during peak times. Often guests waiting for a seat enjoy a glass of sangria or their beverage of choice.

“Sometimes at night, it feels like a party,” John said. 

For more information about TacoVino we encourage you to check out their Instagram profile, Facebook page, or visit their website. Better yet, why not stop in and enjoy a taco? No reservations are required! 

And Now for Something Sweet

If you fancy a dessert, you may be interested in visiting John and Jason’s downtown ice cream shop Sugar J’s Ice Cream Workshop. It’s just a short stroll from TacoVino and offers small-batch ice cream made from scratch.  

“We love ice cream,” John said “It’s kind of similar to tacos since it’s histologic and timeless. We have an ice cream shop around the corner for a date night or a sweet treat after a taco.” 

 

A cone from Sugar J’s Ice Cream Workshop. Photo courtesy of TacoVino and Sugar J’s.

Planning Your Visit to Corvallis

Make your visit to Corvallis extra special by booking a premium guest house. Pictured here: Our Birdie Drive vacation rental.

Finding the best things to do and places to eat can be challenging in a community like Corvallis. We hope to help you navigate some hidden gems that make this community special. Whether you travel for business or pleasure, trying delicious food is one of the joys of visiting another city. Since our guests frequently ask us where to eat, we decided to highlight some of our favorite local restaurants. 

If you are planning a trip to Corvallis and want to feel at home, we hope you check out Fernwood Circle Guest Houses extended stay and short stay vacation rentals. We are a little different from a typical hotel as we are locally owned. Our guest houses are real homes in residential neighborhoods set up to offer a serene home away from home experience. We have had the privilege of serving guests who are visiting family in town, on vacation, or working short contracts for local employers like Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center or Oregon State University. 

Check out our booking page to see which unique guest house is available for your next visit to Corvallis!

Whether you are dining out or getting takeout, all of Fernwood Circle Guest Houses include comfortable, private living spaces where you can relax. Pictured here: our Everglade Townhome rental.