The three taco plate from 3 Amigos.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre
AMHERST – Looking at the menu at 3 Amigos in Amherst, it’s like being the lucky general manager who can land a five-tool baseball player who can do it all on the field.
The term “Latin American gastronomy” is apt, as the Mill District restaurant at 68 Cowls Road does indeed combine the flavorful trinity of Chilean, Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine. But what’s most impressive about the place, in my opinion, is how broadly it covers these areas.
I mean, damn, they have everything. There are specials, egg dishes, tacos, burgers, Latin breakfast dishes, breakfast burritos, sweet breakfasts, breakfast sandwiches, appetizers, sides, and salads. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted when I walked into the restaurant because there were so many tempting options. That’s a big problem in this business.
With that in mind, I was initially annoyed with myself for opting for the three-taco platter rather than a much bolder choice like Pastel de Choclo, an oven-baked pie with a savory ground beef filling with olives, onions, hard-boiled eggs and basil, topped with a corn soufflé. I felt like I was going for contact when I really should have gone for a powerful swing.
However, I thought too much about it because when I walked into the restaurant I knew the tacos would be good and I figured I would come back to try another plate anyway.
There is a very lively and welcoming authenticity at 3 Amigos, reflected in the elegant and colourful artwork on the walls and the pulsating Latin music that resonates throughout the venue.
It is clear at first glance that the diversity of the menu is also reflected in the ambience: whether it is a group of friends, a couple in love or a mixed family – everyone can come here, eat something and enjoy the experience.
It’s too bad I couldn’t stay and eat inside when I was there one afternoon in mid-August. I was a bit pressed for time since I had to drive about 40 minutes to play softball, so I had to take my tacos on the go.
Whether I ate in the car or not that day didn’t matter though, because the tacos I did eat were a taste sensation. The cool thing about the taco section of the 3 Amigos menu is that you can choose either a three or five taco platter and then mix and match the tacos of your choice, whether it’s pastor, carne asada, birria, a fluffy taco, shrimp or fish, portobello, papa and asparagus. An entire trip can be based on the taco selection!
During my visit, I opted for the Carne Asada and the Fluffy Taco. The former is a juicy mix of thinly sliced grilled beef, frijoles de la olla, guacamole and fresh tomato salsa, while the latter contains ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese. The dish also comes with a side of classic Mexican rice and beans.
The tacos are characterized by a savory mix of flavors, especially the carne asada, where the earthy tones of the guacamole and the frijoles de la olla blend perfectly with the delicious tenderness of the grilled beef. The portions are large but not overwhelming, and the nutritional properties of the meal make it a good source of strength and energy. Due to these properties, it is honestly an ideal food for before or after training.
When I arrived at the softball game, I wasn’t bloated or tired; after my taco experience, I was ready to go. I’m not a five-tool player, but I hit my first ball into the outfield in years. Thanks, 3 Amigos; I’ll be back.
