BelAir Cantina Wauwatosa

As BelAir has grown and grown it has unfortunately become easier and easier to feel the effects that maintaining multiple locations can have on what was a small time operation. The menu has changed - fewer popular options are on the $2 taco menu, and in general I have found that the tacos that are there just do not have the "pop" they used to. I used to be consistently impressed by everything I ordered, but now it's more often that I am left wanting.

The last few times we've gone the service has not been as good either. In the past it didn't matter that BelAir was a mad-house - service was always top notch. These days it is seemingly hit or miss.

It's still a fun atmosphere, it's still a largely creative menu with fun takes on tacos (grasshopper taco??), and mercifully they have not changed their free salsas that come out before you order - they are still great. Beers are still two bucks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are still reasons to go here, and I don't want to make it sound like I hate the place or anything. Once in awhile I will still go.

But it's hard not to compare it to the way things used to be and wish it hadn't changed so much. Maybe I've just been unlucky the past 3 or 4 times I've gone (in the past year), but I think that's probably not the case.

This is a great location. Friendly staff and fast service. It's quite the wait for a table if you go on taco Tuesday or taco Thursday, so it's better to stalk a seat at the bar on those days.

Awesome place that is doing new things with flavors and ingredients that you're not going to find anywhere else. If you are looking for something with a more classic flavors they have that as well. You really can't go wrong here.

For just popping in for a friend's birthday this place was great! Tacos were wonderful drinks we're good. The young lady that served 16 of us was outstanding. They must have ran out of forks because we had to ask they didn't just give them to us with our meal. All in all to thumbs up!

Creative California style street tacos, fun atmosphere and decor. The building is a lot bigger than it looks from outside. I really like the Korean beef taco.
We came in during midday on a Monday, so I know how staff can have that slump. The waitstaff was friendly and mostly attentive. The hostess was particularly lackluster. She walked to her stand so sluggishly and with such a dazed look on her face that I wasn't ever sure she worked there. I thought she was another customer waiting to be seated. A greeting would be nice.
Overall I'm glad we stopped in.