Have you ever been sitting in fourth-period class, staring at the clock when your stomach grumbles, and suddenly the only thing you can think about is getting food the second you get out of class? You could pop into Starbucks, maybe take a detour at McDonald’s, or even grab Chipotle. But the truth is, all these chain restaurants don’t have that homey, authentic atmosphere that truly takes an experience to another level. And when you’re in the mood for authentic Mexican food, Chipotle or Baja Fresh will not do. Here are the top authentic Mexican restaurants you need to try, personally tested and reviewed by me.
The first restaurant is right here in Lake Oswego. Taqueria la Marquesa is a family owned business located in downtown LO with an impressive 4.8-star rating on Yelp.The vibe in this restaurant is cozy and extremely welcoming; the workers greet you with a friendly voice and smile. All workers are extremely friendly, and you will never feel unwelcome. Their menu has a large variety of different Mexican food, but if you’re not feeling anything, don’t worry, their burgers are delicious. The restaurant is on the smaller side, with limited seating, but don’t let that turn you away from their fresh tacos. Their tacos are by far what stands out the most— the endless toppings you can add, the softness of the tortillas and the long list of meat choices. Don’t worry, if you are craving a sweet treat, they have a delicious selection of desserts. Some recommendations from an expert, if you do choose to go: order two tacos de lengua with their horchata and the chocoflan.
The second restaurant is located in Tualatin. Rosie’s Kitchen is another family-owned restaurant. Rosie’s Kitchen has a whopping 4.6 stars on Yelp. Walking in, you will instantly notice the friendliness of the workers and customers. You will usually see the owners’ kids behind the counter taking customers’ orders. Their menu has a wide variety of popular Mexican food, as well as more traditional food if you want to try something new. Rosie’s Kitchen is more spacious than the previous restaurant, so if you have a friend who also enjoys Mexican food, you can savor it together. A plus is that they have a TV inside, where they play a variety of sports games, and if there is a specific game you want to watch, you can always ask, and they will play it. Their food is full of flavor. Their specialties are their tacos and burritos; the tacos are especially juicy and soft. Their portion sizes are never too big and never too small, so you can order as many as you want, and it will never be too much. Their fresh, homemade drinks are to die for — they are never too bitter and never too sweet, and they are always made new each day. Unlike many chain “Mexican” restaurants, you never have to pay an extra fee for chips and salsa or refills. For my very professional recommendation, order the junior burrito with carnitas and an horchata.
My last and final restaurant is located in downtown Tigard. Sanchez Taqueria Y Panaderia is a family-owned restaurant and has been in the community for over 16 years. Their recipes are famous for being authentic and delicious. The five oldest children run Sanchez now. Sanchez is a big restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, but even with a big space, it will fill up — it’s that good. Sanchez has 4.3 stars on Yelp, but that number doesn’t truly show how good this place is. Their menu is full of traditional and authentic Mexican food; every single item on the menu is well cooked, seasoned, and fresh. There is a lot of work put into their food, and you can taste how much love and passion is put into their recipes. One of the best parts is their bread. Not only do they have the most amazing food, but they also have a whole wall full of traditional Mexican sweet bread. When you walk in, you can immediately smell the freshness of the breads and pastries. If you’re picky, don’t worry, there are more than 15 different types of breads to choose from. Even the simple dishes, such as their rice and beans, have so much flavor. Therefore, not only will you enjoy their flavorful food, but you will also be able to appreciate some soft and fresh bread afterwards. Many things make Sanchez shine: their drinks, the friendliness of the employees, the food and just the amount of community there is. My recommendation: order a taco de lengua with a side of rice and beans, and, of course, an horchata.
