This is a blog about tacos. That hasn’t changed. But I must provide some introduction to his next stop on our tour.

Adversity is something we all face. Many great things are born from overcoming adversity, and that’s where the story began for Irma’s Tacos in Sarasota (and Venice).

I’ve lived in Florida my entire life. Hurricanes are part of life here, and more people throw “Hurricane Parties” rather than actually prepare for them it seem… And in my adult life, two storms have scared me, starting with Hurricane Irma.

Hurricane Irma struck Florida in September, 2017, with it’s track hitting Southwest Florida pretty hard, and tracking its way through the Venice area.

In the aftermath of Irma, a Venice restaurant called Off the Wagon realized they still had power, but only had the ingredients to make tacos, and that’s what they did. For days after the storm, they provided the residents of Venice with a place to enjoy food, drinks, and AC after the storm. And thus the idea for Irma’s Tacos was born.

Coined a “Craft Beer and Tequila Bar”, Irma’s is a modern concept with two locations, each featuring a huge selection of tequilas, and a variety of tacos and other items such as quesadillas and burritos. Their restaurant feels cozy but upscale, with a large bar, open seating, and a clear view into the kitchen where all the magic happens.

First Bites

Chips, Salsa, & Queso

As always, we ordered the chips to give us something that’s universally comparable to other spots. We decided to add the queso, another common practice of ours if you’ve been following along.

The chips were nice and fresh, super crunchy, and a bit sweet, too. The type of chips where one basket surely isn’t enough, because by the time you’re really ready to order, the first basket is already gone.

The salsa is what I’d consider “Cantina Style”. Not runny, not “chunky”, just a perfect consistency. The flavor was tomato heavy (in a good way), along with some smoky yet sweet flavors that made for an excellent salsa overall.

The queso was also great…thick and creamy white queso with some peppers for an added spice and texture. There was something about the texture and flavor combo that reminded me of childhood, although I couldn’t quite place it.

Tacos For Any Taste

There truly is a taco for everyone at Irma’s. A mix of authentic, elevated, hybrid, and fusion, they cover all the bases.

The tacos at Irma’s were split into five categories, with only a few tacos in each. These were Tex Mex Tacos, Old World Tacos, Seafood Tacos, OG Favs, and Vegetarian & Vegan Tacos.

The Seafood and Vegetarian/Vegan categories are pretty clear, although I have to note that their seafood options also include fried gator…in case you forgot you’re in Florida! The Tex Mex category is what many would refer to as “Supreme” or “American” style tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and sour cream, while the “Old World” tacos are the more authentic style. The OG Favs are what we’d call fusion options, ranging from Korean Short Rib to Nashville Hot Chicken as well as some others.

Sidenote - Irma’s names quite a few of their tacos after other hurricanes which we thought was a unique touch that carried on the overall theme.

Crunching the Numbers:
The Tacothority Scorecard

Our taco rating system runs from 0 to 10, where 5 is perfectly average, and 10 is pure taco nirvana. A 0 is the dreaded "Sad Taco"—so bad you’d prefer last week's leftovers. A 5 is a neutral, forgettable taco, while anything above that ranges from decent (6-7) to almost perfect (8-9). A 10 is the ultimate taco experience—flawless in every way.

The Three Amigos

Before we dive into the tacos themselves, we must talk about the foundation of each taco at Irma’s…the tortillas. Their tortillas were all freshly made in-house, using great masa that made for a delicious flavor and a perfect chew. A bit on the thicker side, they were up to the task of handling Irma’s generously packed tacos. Impressively, not a single tortilla blew out, even after the tacos sat while we took our pictures.

Carne Asada - 9.4

The “Old World” Carne Asada featured thick, tender cuts of steak topped with diced onions, cilantro, and a deeply savory salsa roja. The salsa roja had a mole-like consistency - thicker, darker and packed with a deep flavor that I really enjoyed.

The steak itself was a bit of a marvel. We’ve seen big chunks of steak before that were a pain to eat and wouldn’t rip, but this was different. No matter where you bit into the taco, the steak would pull apart, along with everything else, making for a perfect bite every time. This is and was a great taco.

The Bret (Nashville Hot Chicken) - 9.5

Here’s where we had to deviate from our normal plan. We always get chicken tacos, but it’s usually a traditional pollo or tinga. At Irma’s they had two options…an American Tex-Mex version, and a fusion taco called “The Bret” that was Nashville Hot Chicken inspired. I was torn until I remembered I make the rules, so we went with the one that sounded the most appetizing.

Also offered as a vegetarian option, The Bret combined Nashville Hot chicken with lettuce, pickles, hot honey, and cotija cheese. While I’ve never had authentic Nashville Hot Chicken in Nashville, I’ve sampled plenty of things that call use the name, and this one is truly an example where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We didn’t know what to expect, and really, they could’ve gone many directions, but we think they chose the right one.

The lettuce was thankfully subtle, just a small amount serving as a base, leaving room for everything else to shine. The chicken, served in large chunks, had a crispy, crunchy exterior with a surprising sweetness, courtesy of the hot honey. Unlike a simple drizzle, it seemed the chicken was sautéed in the honey after frying, creating a candy-like coating that we absolutely loved.

The pickles were in thick slices that offered a perfect tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the honey and the spice of the chicken. Every bite delivered a flawless combination of textures and flavors, solidifying The Bret as a near-perfect taco.

Pork Al Pastor - 9.1

Irma’s “Old World” Pork Al Pastor taco was another hit. Featuring grilled pork, a thicker salsa verde, queso fresco, and the largest pineapple chunks we’ve ever seen (seriously, 1”x2”x2” monsters), this taco was a feast for the senses.

The first bite was understandably dominated by chunks of pineapple which were very sweet but had a good grilled texture. Once we got to the pork, it was clear that whoever was behind the grill knew exactly what they were doing. The pork was marinated and seasoned beautifully, with a flavor profile that shone through every bite. The salsa verde was thick, savory, and complemented the pork perfectly, while the pineapple added a bright sweetness that tied everything together.

The Wildcard

Going beyond the usual lineup, The Wildcard is the taco that stands out—whether it’s the restaurant’s go-to recommendation or just one that caught my eye. It’s the bonus option that brings something different to the plate.

The Franklin (Dirty Frank) - 9.3

The Franklin, affectionately dubbed the “Dirty Frank” absolutely lives up to its name. This was a monster of a taco: ribeye, chorizo, bacon, pickled jalapeños, salsa roja, and queso, this taco was something we had to try.

Falling squarely into what I like to call the “Hangover Taco” category, this creation was nothing short of fantastic. I’d venture to say it’s Philly Cheesesteak adjacent, but it definitely stands out as its own unique creation. The pickled jalapeños were spicy but flavorful, balanced by the creamy queso. The trio of meats made for a wonderful trio, with the rich salsa roja tying everything together.

No question, this is a heavy taco, but if you’re looking for something to rescue you from the aftermath of the previous night’s escapades, the Dirty Frank might just be your ultimate cure.

Notable Mention

The Churros

We found ourselves enjoying things so much, we decided to try an order of churros to end our meal on a sweet note. Served in a basket, these bite-sized fried delights were topped with cinnamon sugar and honey, accompanied by whipped cream for dipping. They looked fantastic and made for a fun and shareable treat.

While we felt they could have used a bit more cinnamon sugar to better balance the “fried dough” flavor, they were still a satisfying and enjoyable way to wrap up our visit.

Final Thoughts

Irma’s was a welcome surprise. It exceeded basically every expectation we had. It’s always a risk trying a new place, and when you see the cool upscale environment of this particular location, you always have a worry in the back of your mind that it will be a concept that sacrifices quality and flavors to focus primarily on “the vibes”. This isn’t the case at Irma’s, and everything matches, from the atmosphere, to the friendly staff, and ultimately, the great food.

Bottom Line: Irma’s is a spot where everyone can find something to enjoy, and everything we tried was exceptional. It’s a place that uniquely blends the line between casual lunch spot and cute date night, and we absolutely think it’s worth your time.

Irma’s Tacos - Sarasota, FL