If you like your food bold, comforting and full of flavour, Fuego Tacos is one to seek out.
You’ll find them at The Stanley in Norwich, a proper neighbourhood pub that feels welcoming and relaxed. The Chap and I visited on a Friday night for a post-work treat and walked straight into a lively, friendly buzz. Busy, but not hectic. Exactly what you want at the end of the week.
The welcome at Fuego Tacos
The waiting staff were brilliant. Chatty, warm and genuinely helpful, without hovering. Nothing felt like too much trouble, and they weren’t itching to get back to the kitchen, which always sets the tone for a good evening.
The menu at Fuego Tacos isn’t huge, but choosing is surprisingly hard because everything sounds tempting. That’s usually a good sign.
We started with deep-fried jalapeños, served with sour cream. Crisp on the outside, tender and spicy on the inside – and dangerously more-ish.
Then there were the beef birria tacos. Packed with rich beef and plenty of cheese, then fried so the edges go beautifully crisp. They come topped with pickled onions and served with a proper pot of consommé. (Anyone who’s read my old Jive blog will appreciate how much I miss birria since they closed. It’s one of my favourite things and this version hit exactly the right notes.)
Next, two carnitas tacos. Pork with avocado and grilled pineapple, bringing sweetness and creaminess alongside that rich meat. They’re indulgent without being heavy.
The tortillas deserve a mention too. They taste authentic, soft but with enough structure to hold everything together.
We also ordered a chicken quesadilla with black beans and cheese. Comforting, familiar and a nice counterpoint to the stronger flavours on the table.
Then there were the sweetcorn ribs. These completely stole the show for me. It sounds mad, but the corn is sweet and smoky, paired with a sriracha crema that brings heat and salt in all the right places. Sweet, salty and fiery working together in a way that’s hard to forget. Yes, they’re messy. Yes, it’s worth it.
It’s worth noting that the portions are generous too – we left absolutely stuffed.
What we didn’t eat (this time)
I really wanted to try the beef short rib quesadilla and the hispi cabbage, but we’d ordered more than enough already. There are also veggie and vegan options, plus loaded fries, nachos and chilli. The menu feels well thought through rather than padded out. I’m told the menu changes fairly often, which gives you another excuse to go back.
There were proper Mexican Yucateca chilli sauces on the table too, which is always a good sign. There’s such a broad variety and I’m sure they must have nearly every variety in the kitchen.
The verdict
This is probably the best Mexican food in Norwich right now.
The flavours feel confident and balanced. Sweet, salty, spicy, crispy, soft and creamy all showing up where they should. Nothing feels overdone and every dish works as part of the whole.
When can I go again?
Visit Fuego Tacos on Instagram.
