Vals - New Orleans

Living in the Freret area, I was really excited to see construction on Vals was completed. The restaurant looks great! They have a good amount of outdoor seating which is perfect in the COVID times. Our first visit we just ordered take out. You can order online and schedule your pick up time. We scheduled 5:15 and it was ready right on time. Between my wife and I we tried just about everything. Our two favorite tacos were beef and sweet potato, which, I didn?t anticipateliking sweet potato so much. The elotes and beans stole the show! Highly recommend each of them. I?m a picky bean eater, but these come with a TON of flavor. The elotes are also fantastic! Any version of Mexican street corn is always amust! Overall, it was good takeout! Can?t wait to try it at the restaurant. They are a much welcomed addition to Freret for me and my wife.

Vals nailed the design of their intimate indoor and lux SoCal patio vibe. Hats off to the Architect. The service was first rate and perfect level of attentive but never feeling like an interruption. I particularly loved the service window for cocktails and snacks while we waited a short 20 mins for our table as walkups on a weekend at sunset. The cocktails were on point as one would expect although priced accordingly. The menu is au la cart or Sushi style as explained to us.You fill out your order on a paper menu which was nice. The menu is fairly traditional street tacos, dips, and sides with a couple of interesting sides like Elote, a Tuna Tostada, and even a salad. The food was unfortunately a littledisappointing. I was hoping for unique flavors, perfect textures and the highest level of execution on can get in a taco given the already high bar set by everything else. The food did not deliver on flavor or texture unfortunately. Ourfood was a little under seasoned and underwhelming. The chips for the salsas were everything from light ans crispy to thick chewy and saturated with oil. The totada had a great texture but the flavor was so mild it was like eating sashimiwith no lemon or soy. The small street tacos were beautiful and have great potential. They all needed salt but were almost there. The two different types of beef tacos were indistinguishable from each other in flavor. The one vegetarianoption was boring and insufficient for someone with an appetite. The crown jewel and savior of the tacos was the shredded chicken uniquely cooked in a verde enchilada like sauce. It was amazing. Didn't try the fish although i wish ihad. Would definitely go back and encourage others to. Hopefully they can tighten up on the food execution. I don't like paying $30 for a meal I could have bought for $15 at a taco truck and have been more impressed with but thats me beingpicky. Most people arent spolied by taco trucks and are looking for a sexy spot for date night in wh

This is a really great neighborhood with a lot of bars, restaurants, etc. There's indoor and outdoor seating and I really like the ambiance. I didn't like that the gratuity was already added in. Not a lot to choose from on the menu but the food was great. The host was super friendly and told us about a great bar down the street to go to after we ate. Guacamole was a bit spicy for me but I'm weak. Just corn on the cob I have never had like this and I highly recommend.

I?m from Santa Barbara, CA and a California native, and the food at Vals blows away any Mexican food I have ever had in California. Additionally, the ambiance and service are excellent. The servers are very kind and attentive. The restaurant is clean and had a very cool vibe conducive for a pleasurable fun lunch or dinner. It?s super COVID friendly, and I?m sure after COVID, this will be even more THE place to party and have fun with friends. I can?t wait to visitVals again!

Vals has a laid-back and modern atmosphere and a good happy hour drink menu offered 4-6 pm every day. Indoor and outdoor seating are available but if you are prone to mosquito bites, you might get bitten even indoors since the front door is open (I left with several fresh mosquito bites). The bartenders have good pours and the tortillas were tasty and fresh. The tacos had plenty of meat but the flavor was a bit lacking. I also prefer a bit more leche on my Tres Leches, stillgood though.