#queso

#queso

Queso is a magical ingredient, capable of adding a layer of rich, creamy decadence to anything it's drizzled on. If you love your cheese sauce, it's also something you've probably been tempted to smother on top of any Tex-Mex dish that comes your way. And that compulsion is something Torchy's Tacos has brilliantly tapped into, with a "trashy style" modification that replaces your lettuce with a slather of velvety, ooey-gooey queso at no extra charge.

You probably know all about dragon sauce, which is Chipotle's sour cream mixed with its tomatillo-red chili salsa, aka the spiciest salsa on the menu. But if you want to take your queso to new heights, order a side of the tomatillo-red chili salsa, mix it with the queso blanco, and voilà, spicy queso. The amount of spice you want will determine how much salsa you add. That red stuff can be quite hot, so start slow and taste as you go.

This beloved taqueria, led and owned by Chef Victor Villa, was put on the map for its tacos with a signature queso taco base, though the rest of its menu isn't half bad either. Ordering a taco with the queso taco base means you can expect the restaurant's handmade blue corn masa tortillas (here's the difference between masa and masa harina by the way) made from a crispy cheese skirt of Monterey Jack with toppings like crema, cotija cheese, onion, cilantro, and guacamole.

Many commented that they were overcome with the aroma of feet or dirty gym socks upon opening a bag of Queso Ruffles.