Rad Dads’ Dictator

Photos by Lisa Enos

I pulled up to Rad Dads on a warm October evening — actually, I drove past it first and had to double back because I didn’t recognize it not caked in snow and ice.

The atmosphere on the patio was pleasant— jolly, even. I peered in through the window, expecting a sea of hockey dads and kids, but that wasn’t the vibe. The crowd was diverse. A table of middle-aged women to the left, some young dudes sitting at the bar to the right.

I ventured inside and wow! I knew the popular taco and tequila bar was located inside the Trinity Health/LC Walker Arena (home of the Lumberjacks), but I had no idea I’d be dining rink-side with a prime view of the ice. Score one in the unique dining spaces column.

I hopped onto a barstool, and a friendly bartender named Mason greeted me, eager to serve. “What’s the best thing here?” I asked.

“Definitely the bartenders,” chimed in another bartender who was on the phone taking an order. Humor gets two gold stars.

I cut to the chase and asked Mason what he most often orders. “The Dictator,” he said. “Hands down, best taco on the menu.”

I glanced at the description: Korean marinated bulgogi…Sold. I didn’t need to know more. “I’ll take one,” I said. “What else is good?”

“Well, it’s Pound Town Tuesday,” he replied, pointing me to the menu featuring “basic” (cheese, lettuce, tomato on a flour tortilla) and “traditional” (onions and cilantro on a corn tortilla) tacos. All for a buck each. (I know, right!?!) I ordered a ground beef taco, traditional style. Other options on the dollar menu included chicken, black beans, and pork.

The place was buzzing. While I enjoyed a margarita, I talked to Horace who was ordering for his out-of-town family members visiting from Arizona. “I wanted to show them this place where I come to watch hockey, eat tacos and watch more hockey,” he said. He ordered four tacos off the dollar menu. His nephew Jhalil ordered two and an apple cider.

I sauntered over to the railing to catch some action on the ice, which is where I found the rad dads. It looked like a practice was in session and they were down there coaching. I couldn’t help but think how uniquely Midwest this place was— tacos, tequila, and rink-side seats. Who’d a thunk it?

I looked at the menu again. Mason had shared some insider info that I was mulling over. “The Cubano is really popular; it won an award.”

Having spent a grand total of about ten bucks so far, I decided to treat myself to one more taco. The Cubano: Pulled pork, pickle, Swiss cheese, fried pork belly, Dijon aioli, and crispy onions on a flour shell—for just $4.50. (Have these guys not heard of inflation? I’m starting to see what makes these dads so rad.)

The Cubano was neither a taco nor a traditional Cuban sandwich, but it was ample in size and incredibly tasty and rich. I almost ordered a chicken quesadilla, too since Mason mentioned that’s another fan favorite. I couldn’t finish the veritable hat trick as it stood, so I decided to tap out.

The dollar taco was great, the Cubano delicious, the Dictator, though? It won MVP of the entire season and took home the Stanley Cup. Thanks for the assist, Mason, I’ll definitely be back!

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Rad Dads’ Tacos & Tequila Bar, located at 470 Western Ave. Suite A, Muskegon
Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–Midnight. 

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Open Skating at Trinity Health Arena
The City of Muskegon Parks & Recreation Department offers Open Skating on the first Sunday of every month from December through March from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Next open skate is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2025. The price to skate is $5 per person. There are a limited number of skates available to rent for an additional $3. For more information on times and prices, visit muskegon-mi.gov/events.