Queso Blanco / Fancy Queso / Global Queso
Velvet Taco
Order both quesos: familiar blanco first, then red curry coconut queso for the bite that changes the whole conversation.
The Queso Connection
Velvet Taco was on my DFW queso master list before I ever moved away from Texas, so I was ridiculously excited when it eventually followed me to Nashville, first at Assembly Food Hall and later near my old place in Midtown. I've met and written about some of the humans behind Velvet Taco in both Dallas and Nashville over the years, and they've always been incredibly kind. But here's my actual move: I order both quesos. The queso blanco is the familiar one. Then somebody tries the red curry coconut queso, and I get to watch their face change. After all these years, that's still one of my favorite parts of introducing someone to a food I love: that tiny second when surprise turns into a smile.
WHAT TO ORDER
The queso briefing
Queso Blanco
Queso blanco, chimichurri and Velvet Taco heat sauce, with housemade blue corn chips. Brisket or pulled pork can be added.
“I order both. Then I wait for the smile.”
Red Curry Coconut Queso
The curveball. Red curry and coconut take melted cheese somewhere completely unexpected, with pickled onion and queso fresco bringing acid, bite and another layer of cheese to the party. This is one of my favorite alternate quesos anywhere.