Taco Macho - a Simpson Bay St. Maarten Restaurant (Don't be scared!)

So we're driving around the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin. Actually, during this particular 2-week trip, we have driven around the island several times. We cannot help but notice Taco Macho - a place that is rather difficult to describe at first glance. It doesn't LOOK like a real restaurant, but there are people in there. The restaurant - and it is, indeed a St. Maarten restaurant - is sort of made up with bits and pieces of other buildings, sheet metal, wood... Definitely not the kind of place that would be considered "up to code" in other places.

But, hey, here it is, and it's jammed with people. Finding a place to park is difficult along the busy road going through Simpson Bay (I think the road is named Welfare Road). But somehow, we find a place and make our way over to Taco Macho.

There are a few guys hanging around sipping beer, and a few others who have found a spot to sit at a nearby picnic table (we THINK it's part of Taco Macho) who are eating a darned good looking plate of food. We notice that there is no real menu - but then see selections written in various spots up on the wall surrounding a little counter on the side of a trailer.

As we mosey up to the counter, it amazes us to see several women crammed inside this incredibly tiny kitchen, serving up plate after plate. There are some soups we can try, or burritos. Burritos, we figure, are a safe bet. We order, and then go sit down to wait.

If you are in a hurry, Taco Macho is NOT the place to eat. Combine "Island Time" and "Take Your Time" and you've got about a 15 minute wait. Or is it 20 minutes? It's hard to be objective when hungry, and when the aromas of delicious food are wafting your way.

Of course, as I said, there is barely room enough in that kitchen trailer for anyone to move to begin with.

How these women pull it off is beyond me. But soon, they wave to us, and out it comes. They have a chipotle sauce that I cannot have enough of (and I am not even a chipotle fan!).

I think we spent about $17 total. It's kind of hard to go wrong with that! 

So... if you want an unusual experience which includes a restaurant of dubious construction coupled with delicious homemade Mexican food and don't mind a somewhat limited menu and a bit of a wait, get thee to Taco Macho in Simpson Bay St. Maarten.

So, here are a few of the other St. Maarten restaurants we have REALLY enjoyed - and of course we'll add to them as we go along. We also welcome YOUR additions!

• Lal's Curry in a Hurry (NEW location in Simpson Bay)
• Mark's Place (Philipsburg location)
• Taco Macho (Simpson Bay)
• Talk of the Town (in Grande Case, French St. Martin)