Scout's: Damansara Uptown's charming cantina tempts us back for a treat of tacos, a binge on burritos

In honour of Scout's first birthday this month, we return to Damansara Uptown's charmingly cheerful cantina for another taste of its tacos and more bites of its burritos. 

With fresh, flavourful fare inspired by casual Mexican comfort food, plus hearty helpings of southern U.S. scrumptiousness, Scout's is well worth scouting for, whether you're tempted by tortillas, hungry for hot wings or famished for fries.

Splashes of culinary flair make everything here shine: House-mixed sourdough batter for super-crunchy fish tacos, herb-loaded sauces for uplifting zing and zip in vegetarian tacos and fragrantly fermented chilli sauce for hot wings.

Scout's spacious two-level setting is one of Damansara Uptown's most distinctively dynamic venues. Chequered-tile counters and tables embody Mexico's blue-and-white talavera ceramics, colourfully contrasted with classic Malaysian entertainment posters. Tall windows stream in sunshine all day long, with a takeout booth for coffee and food on the move.

Up for a fine fish taco? Scout's Baja Fish Taco (RM18) hits the mark with its homage to the Baja Californian staple, bursting with big chunks of sourdough batter-fried dory. This batter really pops, remaining airy and crunchy for impressively long, harbouring moist, clean-tasting fish amid perfect proportions of cabbage, corn salsa and creamy garlic mayo. 

The Goth Taco (RM18) demonstrates Scout's dark side with its own-rolled charcoal tortillas, a tender and supple blanket for a meat-free filling of fried mushrooms, corn salsa and cabbage, rounded out with a green goddess mayo sauce that's rich with parsley, coriander, onion, garlic, and herbs. The perfect vegetarian taco, plump and full-bodied in texture, punchy in flavour.

Other taco options include the scrambled egg Breakfast Tacos, Pulled Beef Tacos with mango salsa, and Spiced Chicken Tacos with sriracha mayo.

Scout's burritos make a balanced meal, vanquishing hunger pangs in a convenient bundle of bliss. The Chicken Burrito (RM18) is the fuss-free choice, chomp-worthy with chicken, corn salsa, spiced rice and sriracha dressing for smoky-sultry, sweet-savoury flavours. 

Larger appetites can opt for Scout's Stoner Burrito, stuffed with fries and cheese. Burrito bowls, quesadillas, wraps and salads are also available.

While Scout's is best known for its Mexican-style specialities, its Hot Wings have become a heated favourite for many fans.

These Hot Wings (RM20 for six pieces, RM36 for 12) harness Scout's own one-month fermented chilli hot sauce, with chilli brine to marinate the chicken and the sauce to coat it.

The result is beautifully balanced - spicy enough for a kick but not ferociously fiery, so that even those of us with timid taste buds can still relish this. The fermentation infuses tangy-salty aromatics that deepen the sauce deliciously, making every wing extra lip-smacking.

Complete your Scout's experience with the O.G. Disco Fries (RM16), a party for the palate, layered with a melted cheese mix of cheddar and mozzarella, bolstered by a hint of chicken jus  for added umami. As devilishly addictive as fries get.

For coffee on the run or chocolate to linger for, Scout's serves satisfying sips too - its White Coffee relies on single-origin Brazil Cerrado beans, buoying the richness of dark cocoa with vibrant orange acidity (RM10), while the Iced Chocolate is smooth and soothing (RM10).

Scout’s
Uptown 5, 101C, Tower C, Jalan SS 21/39, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Open Tuesday-Friday, 12pm-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12pm-10pm. 

Tel: 012-780-0270