Here’s a cute story with a super tasty ending.  Or should I say, this is just beginning?

 

About a year and a half ago I became online friends with an American woman, Nicole, who had recently discovered Jamaica and decided to start a blog about her travels.  We started following each other online but never actually met.  Our travel dates never matched up so it just couldn’t happen, but we kept in regular contact via technology and I gave her as much advice about Jamaica and blogging as I could.

Her long term goal was to start a little taco stand in Negril;  a Mexican / Jamaican fusion taco experience.

Finally, in October of 2017 she abandoned her homeland in the USA and made her move to Jamaica.  This is when Nicole and I became fast friends…when she was alone, living in Jamaica and trying to make her dream a reality.  I followed her journey every step of the way, whether it was via social media or the billions of voice notes we’ve exchanged on Whatsapp over the past year.  All the ups, downs, and in-betweens of her adjustment to life in Jamaica and trying to set up a business there despite all the road blocks, are recorded somewhere in the vaults of Whatsapp.

The best coincidence of all was my latest trip to Jamaica last month which conveniently coincided with the grand opening day of the first taco restaurant in Negril, and I’m thrilled to say that I was officially one of her very FIRST customers at:

 

Nikki Taco

 

Cute name right?  I remember her asking me last year what I thought of the name and I was like, “Dude….it’s so catchy!  One day there will be a Jamaican dance called the Nikki Taco!”

 

 

Opening day at Nikki Taco was also the very first time I met Nicole in real life and I think all I said was, “You’re shorter than I thought you were!”  I also met Tracy, the Jamaican lady she hired to work with.  Very cool lady.

Before I get into how fabulous her food tastes I’d like to say that I’ve heard she’s had some nay-sayers making comments about Mexican food in Jamaica and why go to Jamaica if you want Mexican food?  Let me argue that this isn’t just Mexican food.  It’s JAMAICAN infused Mexican food.  And anyway, Negril is a huge melting pot of every kind of food!  Italian Cafe didn’t grow so huge because people DIDN’T WANT pizza, right?

 

So on with my review!

 

Nikki Taco is located at Bamboo Walk which is right on Norman Manley Blvd.  If you’re not sure where Bamboo Walk is, it’s right across the road from the well known Bar B Barn.  Immediately inside the gate at Bamboo Walk, on the right side you’ll find Nikki Taco.

 

 

 

It’s such a bright and welcoming little place and you can’t miss it.  I remember when Nicole shared with me via Whatsapp about how she hired a local to custom build her patio tables and chairs, and she painstakingly hand-painted all of them herself.  When she sent me the pictures I LOVED them!  The colors are so colorful and lively, just like Jamaica.

 

 

 

What does Nikki Taco serve up?

Show up hungry when you visit because the food here is addictive.  I had two different tacos to be able to compare them and I wanted more, if only my belly would have allowed it.

 

The Nikki Taco menu includes:

Jerk chicken, beef, pork and fish tacos.

Chips and salsa.

Beef and chicken supreme burritos.

Veggie quesadillas, with the option to add chicken or beef.

All meals can be served with her homemade salsa (to die for), sour cream and guacamole.  She also has Red Stripe, Red Stripe Light, Dragon and sodas on hand if you’re thirsty.  A couple of weeks ago I saw on the Nikki Taco facebook page that they offered a special of shrimp tacos one day.  Yaay for seafood lovers!

The day I visited I simply HAD to try a jerk chicken taco and also wanted to try the pork, so I ordered one of each.  Listen.  I’m not gonna lie, I was actually surprised at the flavor both of those tacos had!  Nicole, I wasn’t doubting you and your recipe wizardry, but I honestly didn’t expect such amazing flavor!  And I don’t know what’s in the salsa but whatever it is, it’s the right stuff.  Excellent taste in everything I ate and just the perfect balance of spice.

The day I visited was her actual opening day so there was very little traffic coming in, but while I sat eating I did witness a few curious passers by come in just to see what this place was all about and most of them left with tacos.  A few children showed up thinking it was still the ice cream shop that existed in this space before, and they ended up leaving with tacos too!

After I had my lunch I was thoroughly satisfied and since business was slow we took the opportunity to just sit and chat while sipping on some rum.  After so many months of chatting online back and forth it was such a pleasure to meet Nicole in person and see her dream in completion.  Along the way I sometimes wondered if it would all work out for her because she had MANY challenges for MANY months, and as we all know, if you don’t have a good game plan in Jamaica the place can suck you dry.

I felt proud to be sitting there with her in the middle of her dream come true.  I remember she said something like, “If I can make it through low season I’ll should be fine during high season”.

I was like, “Girl, not IF you make it.  You HAVE TO make it.  You didn’t come this far to only come this far!”

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Since returning back to Canada I haven’t stopped following Nicole’s journey even though our voice notes are at a bare minimum now.  I suspect it’s because she’s a regular 6-day-a-week working girl now LOL.

Nikki Taco now has it’s own Facebook page and Instagram Feed so I encourage you to go “like” them.  I can see via social media that Nicole has had many new customers over the last month and so far, all 5-star reviews!  I couldn’t be happier for her.

SPECIAL OFFER:  After talking to Nicole this morning she has decided to make a special offer to all Jamaica My Way readers.  Next time you’re in Negril and craving Jamaican tacos, stop by Nikki Taco and mention this blog post.  She’ll give you a FREE chicken taco (with the purchase of other menu items).

Now, GO!

 

If you’ve already visited Nikki Taco in Negril, leave your comments below.  Tell us what you thought of your dining experience!