The atmosphere is cozy and casual, the customers are intensely loyal, the staff is friendly, the portions are mucho grande and the prices are pretty cheap.
But perhaps best of all is the variety. Taqueria Mixteca has an elaborate menu with something for everyone, including many vegetarian options. If you ate there once a week, it would take you several years to try everything on the menu. Plus, they deliver and offer catering services. In fact, Taqueria Mixteca catered the volunteer dinner at the Dayton Art Institute’s recent charity gala called Art Ball.
What we tried:
Connie ordered the Lunch Special No. 23, the tamale and beef enchilada for $6.25 . “First of all, I looooove a good enchilada,” she said.
“And second of all, being from Texas, I know my way around tamales!” she boasted.
Michelle ordered a bottle of Mexican Coca-Cola ($2.35) — you know made with real sugar. After giving up sugar and sweets from New Year's through Lent earlier this year, she more than made up for what she had been missing with this sugar rush.
Michelle went with Lunch Special No. 14, a gordita and enchilada ($6.25), both made with shredded chicken.
Lunch specials come with refried beans and rice and are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. After 3 p.m. and on weekends, these same offerings are available for an additional 50 cents per dish.
While we waited for our meal, we nibbled — OK, make that chowed down — on crispy and freshly made tortilla chips, dipping them in their famous salsa. We fought over the last crumbs. They were delicious as is, but diners can opt to enjoy them with guacamole ($2.99) or a spicy cheese dip ($3.29).
As soon as our food arrived, Connie unwrapped the corn husk and dug into the savory dish of pork and masa. “Now THIS is a tamale!” she exclaimed. “It’s tasty and peppy, just like a tamale should be!”
Michelle is a little less daring when it comes to spicy food, and well, everything else, compared to her partner in food crimes. Though her meal was more simple and traditional, it was every bit as tasty.
The enchilada was covered in a tasty red ranchero sauce. The sauce was baked in, so the dish was not drenched in messy sauce, as you often encounter with enchiladas.
“This is soooo good,” she said. “The chicken and the enchilada sauce are both really flavorful, and I’m really digging this rice!”
Other menu highlights:
You’ll find a lot of expected dishes on the menu, ranging from tacos, to quesadillas, to tostadas and burritos. But you’ll also find some unexpected dishes, including stuffed poblano peppers and some weekend-only options such as goat soup.
Meat options include chicken (shredded, grilled, breaded); pork (shredded, fried); beef (ground, steak); seafood (fish, shrimp) and Mexican sausage or goat (weekends only). Even lengua (beef tongue).
Our take:
This destination is a great lunch spot or casual dinner destination with friends and family. The menu features meal options for kids as well.
We chatted with a few customers during our trip, and they simply raved about this place. Mention the name Taqueria Mixteca and you will find a lot of loyal customers who are head over heels in love with the menu, the prices and the quality of food. Es muy bueno!
The details:
The place: Taqueria Mixteca
The info: 1609 E. Third St., Dayton; also, 2190 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood; phone: 937-258-2654; www.taqueriamixteca.com. Menu available online in English and Spanish.
Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Final musings:
Michelle Fong and Connie Post are two of the Dining Divas for the Dayton Daily News — ladies on a mission to discover great food and great spots for a lunch (or dinner) out on the town. Where should they go next? Send your recommendations to Life@CoxInc.com with the subject line Dining Divas.
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