Next door to the Dollar Tree in Lakeport, you’ll find a fascinating restaurant. No, it’s not because it’s a taqueria complete with red walls lined with Diego Rivera prints, a shingled overhang that displays the specials of the week, and a cooler filled with beer and sodas. And it’s not because of the food, though it is excellent. It’s because as soon as you step in the doors, you’re immediately overwhelmed by the immense presence of Fabian “Looch” Moreno. Most days, you won’t be greeted by Mariachi music. Instead, heavy metal is usually playing on television–a mixture of Pantera, Slayer, Black Sabbath, and other metal greats. And Looch sings (and sometimes screams) along, prancing around the tables and joking with the customers, who he knows by name.
It’s easy to enjoy the place simply because of Looch’s presence. He clearly cares about his customers and regularly posts videos of him chatting with them on his Facebook page. He’s definitely the kind of person who brings the party with him wherever he goes, making every meal at Taqueria la Mexicana an energetic experience filled with smiles and laughter. He’s been serving here for years, and many people come just to hang out with him for a while.
But let’s talk about the food, which alone is enough of a reason to visit. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what you order; it’s all going to be good. All the tortillas are handmade and everything is from scratch. Their burritos are huge and filled with flavor, their refried beans are creamy and smooth, and their rice is always moist, fluffy, and mouthwateringly good. In the last decade that I’ve eaten here, I’ve tried almost everything on the menu and have never been disappointed.
Take, for example, the Machaca. It’s a northern Mexican dish made with seasoned shredded beef, onions, peppers, and scrambled eggs. It’s hearty, earthy, and full-flavored. It’s best when wrapped in a tortilla with a little rice and beans. This dish is meant to be savored bite by bite. And if you’re lucky enough to have some leftovers to take home, it makes an amazing breakfast.
For something totally different than Machaca, get the sopes. Sopes have always been a personal favorite, and they’re made at Taqueria la Mexicana to be uniquely flavorful. Sopes come in many different shapes and sizes; here, they’re curved into a bowl shape, filled with beans, your choice of meat (their shredded chicken is spectacular), and topped with lettuce and cotija cheese. Each bite is creamy, crunchy, and a delight of textures and flavors. Order a dinner plate, and you’ll get two sopes plus plenty of beans and rice to fill in the corners and edges of your stomach.
It would be easy to tell you about all the other menu options, like the Milanesa, thin-sliced steak fried to a crispy, chewy perfection. Or there’s the Chile Verde and Chile Colorado, both worth their own meal. My suggestion is to go with a friend who is comfortable sharing food, decide together on two different dishes, and swap plates halfway through.
If you’re looking for a unique Mexican food experience with great food, some kick-ass metal music playing, and the friendly banter of Looch, this is the place. I must warn you, Looch does love to swear. I mean, the tagline he uses on every Facebook post is “F**kU2wice”. So if that kind of language bothers you, it’s probably not the place for you. But it’s not mean-spirited swearing; it’s just part of his personality, and it certainly doesn’t detract from his friendly, good-natured service or the quality of the food. In fact, it could be easily argued that Looch’s bright personality makes every meal taste even better.
Taqueria la Mexicana
1303 S Main St, Lakeport, CA 95453
Phone: (707) 263-3775
