Flavour Report with Derek Goforth: Hit and miss with Taco Tuesday at Geraldton’s Piper Lane

On a lazy weekday, we decided to spice up this week’s Flavour Report by turning it into an irresistible Taco Tuesday.

Despite the abundance of places offering tacos in town, we found ourselves drawn back to Piper Lane, with the lingering memory of their impressive brunch offerings from the previous year.

Having settled into its new space, Piper Lane now exudes a sense of comfort. With ample seating both indoors and outdoors, finding a parking spot along Marine Terrace ensures a convenient spot after a five-minute stroll eight times out of 10.

We chose beer-battered fish tacos and pulled pork tacos, hopeful for a contrast of tastes and textures. To curb our cravings, we threw in a side of onion rings. While the bill approached $55, any initial reservations about the cost quickly dissipated as the generous portion sizes justified the expense.

The wait for our food extended a bit — 20 minutes in total — which was attributed to the lunchtime rush. The staff, as always polite and helpful, offered apologies for the longer wait times.

The fish tacos, with its red emperor fillet, slaw, pickles and a tangy dressing, piqued our curiosity but left us longing for the explosive flavours typically associated with the dish. A crisp batter and fresh fish earned it a respectable seven out of 10.

In stark contrast, the pulled pork tacos stole the show. Bursting with shredded pork, slaw, Asian dressing and pickles, it delivered a flavour explosion. In hindsight, we regretted not both opting for the pulled pork taco.

The onion rings proved to be a hit for both of us, with a tantalisingly crispy exterior and a delightfully soft interior. The accompanying mayo dip was a welcome addition.

Would I recommend Piper Lane for a lunch visit? Absolutely. Offering charm and outstanding service, Piper Lane consistently hits the mark nine times out of 10. While the fish tacos may not have aligned with our personal taste, Piper Lane proudly maintains its spot on our regular visit list.