P.S. Taco is finally open in Gulfport. Is it worth the wait?
On May 7, 2024, the P.S. Taco Company’s Gulfport-based Facebook page had an optimistic message for taco enjoyers: “We are so close Gulfport, Mississippi to getting our doors open.”
Exactly 365 days later, those doors opened.
The Mobile-based taco shop endured a number of delays with its first Mississippi franchise, but was still able to spread its tortillas and beans around the Coast through its catering arm and food truck to establish a presence in preparation for the big day.
That big day has arrived at its location along the busy Highway 49 intersection just off Interstate 10.
Reviews are still trickling in, but we wait for no one. With full hearts and empty stomachs, we went to battle (lunch).
Vibe — 3 out of 5
“Feed me tacos and tell me I’m pretty.”
That is what the neon sign says on the back wall of the restaurant and also what I regularly remind my wife.
The shop is shotgun style with lime walls and framed Day of the Dead art.
There’s a bar of faux stone with a couple of TVs and next to the door a mural of the company’s primary aesthetic.
The long side of the room is all bench-and-chair. Altogether, the restaurant fits around three dozen patrons plus outdoor seating options.
There’s only so much that can be done in such a small place, but you’re not here for the scenery.
Food - 4 out of 5
You’re here for the designer tacos.
Merriam-Webster defines boujee as a way of describing something or someone as fancy, luxurious, or high class.
I define P.S. Taco tacos as boujee. We got four of them preceded by a mountainous appetizer.
If you are a lover of French fries topped in absolutely everything imaginable, I recommend the P.S. Taco fries. It’s a plate of seasoned fries covered in queso, pickled red onions, grilled pineapple, pineapple mango salsa, avocado, raw onions, black beans, jalapeños, charred sweet corn, sweet chili spicy mayo, cilantro-like aioli and your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp, snapper, brisket, Korean short rib or pork belly.
If that felt like a lot to read, trust me, it was a lot to type, too. And eat. It’s a two-man job taking this down.
If you go this route, save some of the complimentary chips for this moment.
Up next: the Belly of the Beast. This is a taco with pork belly, grilled shrimp, sweet chili spicy mayo, pickled red onions, avocado, mixed greens and pineapple mango salsa.
It’s a whopper. It has a smoky barbecue taste combined with a soy reduction that slams with taste. Once you get through the melody of flavor across the top layer of the taco, you’re rewarded with the chunks of pork belly.
Soldiering forward, the shrimp taco was next. A much simpler and familiar offering, it still featured many of the restaurant’s key ingredients plus house slaw and the cilantro-like aioli. It has a fresher, Gulf-of-Whatever taste that fits a beachside theme compared to the Beast’s backyard MO.
I also had a side of Mexican corn. I was honestly just expecting a bowl of corn, but instead was treated with two half-cobs dressed in aioli and cheese crumbles.
The whole meal was splendid and left me with a Tier 1 Food Coma Warning. The one thing holding P.S. Taco back from a five is variety. Yes, the taco options range widely and there are plenty of apps and specialties. That said, a large portion of the menu features the same unique set of ingredients that serve as a base. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but may hamper those who are particular.
Value - 4 out of 5
The specialty tacos range from $4 to $6, which isn’t bad considering the bulk within each tortilla. You can save by going with the two or three taco combo, too, for $13 or $15 and both include a side.
The menu has plenty more with nachos, the crunchy wrap, macho burrito, protein bowl and more. And everything is $15 or less.
There’s also a kids menu and a dessert menu with churros and cheesecake.
P.S. Taco is one part of a new influx of taco options for North Gulfport. The next is the soon-to-open Pedro’s Taco and Tequila bar roughly 30 yards away.
The tacos-with-a-twist restaurant is more than worth the visit. Besides, you’ve waited long enough.
Address: 15258 Crossroads Parkway, Gulfport
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
