Tru Taco opened yesterday in Overstreet Mall. Here’s how to experience it

It took the place of Brad’s, a well-known and widely-loved sandwich shop, between Freshii and McDonald’s.

It works the same way Chipotle does – you build your own meal from behind a glass partition as you make your way down the line.

First, you choose what sort of vehicle for your food that you’re looking for. The options are tacos (three), a burrito bowl, a quesadilla, nachos, Asian buns (three) or salad.

Next you’ll choose your base: Mexican rice, jasmine rice, chips, lettuce, pinto beans, black beans or cold noodles.

Then you fill it.

Pick between chicken ($6.95), pork belly ($8.75), pork ($7.95), Pacific Cod ($8.75), brisket ($7.95) or vegetables ($6.95).

Flavoring it is when you really get to decide whether you’re going the Mexicano or Chino route.

If you’re feeling like Mexicano, your options are chile rojo, mole and queso (for a dollar). But if you want to go down the other road, you can choose from Korean BBQ, green curry or orange ginger.

The toppings are pretty standard, but have a few surprises thrown in.

Things like guacamole ($1.75 upcharge), cheese, lettuce and salsa are staples – it’s the pickled jalapeño, cactus salad and Asian slaw that’ll surprise you.

You’ve got two choices when it comes to each of the heat factors.

Want mild? You’ll get fresca or ponzu (a citrus-based, Asian-inspired sauce).

Medium? Tomatillo or sweet chilli.

Hot because you’re brave? Chipotle or Sriracha mayo. Godspeed.

And, finally, you get some metaphorical sprinkles on top – Chinese noodles, peanuts, sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds.

You pick your order up at the end of the line, where it’s waiting for you above a selection of authentic, glass-bottled Mexican sodas.

But if it’s giving you a Chopt-like vibe of an overwhelming number of choices, they have seven different recommendations.

I went with the Miss Piggy – which I was hesitant to say out loud – for $7.95 and was pleasantly surprised. It was a bowl with pork, jasmine rice, orange ginger, Asian slaw, ponzu and peanuts. Definitely take their suggestions.

There was no side, because the most important part of a meal at a place like Tru Taco is the chips, and they were out of chips by the time I got there. I heard you should try the Frito Pie ($3), though.