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When I’m in the mood for Mexican food, and I really mean MEXICAN- not tex-mex, I drive around looking for a mom and pop type establishment. What that usually means is that you’ll have a very low chance that someone there speaks English. That’s okay because food is a universal language! If there is someone that speaks English well there, you have about a 1 in 3 chance that the person will be the cashier AND under 13 years of age. That’s when you know you’re going to get some good food at a good deal! Seriously, no sarcasm implied!

Here in Arlington, that place for me is Taqueria Mexicana in downtown-ish Arlington on Collins St. They’re right across the street from where they’re building the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. That means they’re either going to get LOTS of business OR they’ll get bought out. I hope it’s the prior option. They have great food at awesome prices and they’re even open till 3am on Friday and Saturdays! Their menu does have some English on it, enough to pick out what you want. I usually just drop by and get a few tacos- $1.35 each. With tacos, you get a choice of flour or corn tortillas. I was a flour guy, but recently have started delving into the corn tortillas and they’re pretty tasty too. They’re filled cilantro and onions(optional) with your choice of meat- asado(steak), barbacao (mexican bbq- more of a stewed beef), chicken, fried pork, chicharron(pork rinds cooked in spices), lengua(tongue) or intestine. I haven’t yet worked up the nerve to try the last 2, but I’m sure they’re tasty too. I have tried the chicharron though and it’s pretty good. I like to order 1 with other tacos because it adds a little “moisture” to my meal. And by moisture, I mean fat. They include limes and green salsa to add to taste. Add them.

Last night, I decided to venture away from my usual tacos and try a barbacoa gordita. Only $2.50! Now some of you are thinking, “Oh, Taco Bell has gorditas too!”. Wrong. Taco Bell uses what seems to be a warmed up pita. The gordita I got was a really thick corn tortilla, grilled, split and stuffed with barbacoa meat, beans, lettuce, tomato slices and avocado slices. Squeeze a little lime on it and add a little green salsa and you’re set.

Eating the gordita wasn’t something I’d want to do in a car. It was definitely a messy ordeal. First, I tried a fork and knife but everything seemed to be falling apart using that method. I reverted to just picking up the entire thing and eating it like a burger. Check out the pictures for how that worked out for me. The gordita was savory from the meat, chewy from the tortilla and creamy from avocado. I did need to add a little salt, but that was probably from my choice of barbacoa. I’d probably go with asado or something else more flavorful next time.

If you’re looking for real Mexican food at great prices, definitely check out Taquiera Mexican. Wherever you go, be sure to keep your eye out for the little mom and pop places. That’s where you get REAL food. And if you don’t know any Spanish(I took a little in high school), just point at something on the menu and odds are you’ll get something good. I’d steer clear of the tongue and intestine for right now, though.