La Garza’s, 1611 S. Broadway, is a tiny Mexican place with a BBQ/smoker thing out front that sends off yummy scents of grilled critter into the neighborhood. I go there for lunch on a weekly basis and love the food.

A few things about this place. I am often the only non-Hispanic there, which I see as a plus. If you go to a place that serves Mexican, Asian, any sort of ethnic food and there are no people of that ethnicity in the place, you can pretty well assume the food sucks or at least has been dulled down to what someone thinks appeals to the average American palate. The next time you go to a chain Mexican/Tex-Mex place, look around. Except for the kitchen staff, there’s more than likely not a Hispanic in the joint. There’s a reason for this: the food sucks!

Much of the menu and most of the signs, as you’d expect, are in Spanish. I don’t speak Spanish but worked in enough restaurants as a young guy that I can speak/read enough to get by. The kid behind the counter speaks passable English and is happy to explain or point you in the direction of what you want. This is very authentic food, so don’t expect your tacos to be laced with cheese, sour cream or bacon. These are handmade tortillas, the meat of your choice, onions, and cilantro. That’s it. It’s served with the most wonderful tangy green salsa and limes. This, my friends, is all you need.

The meat options range from the standard carne (beef), pollo (chicken) and Carnitas (grilled pork that I swear will change your life) to the less standard Chorizo (a spicy Mexican Sausage), Lingua (tongue) and other bits that aren’t normally eaten here in the good old U.S.A.

Today’s lunch was as simple as it was marvelous. I walked in and was greeted, as always, with a friendly “hola” from the proprietor and her two small children. As I looked over the menu of Fajitas, the amazing tortas, and burritos, I went with my usual, the tacos. I looked in back and watched the young woman at the grill making tortillas in her little hand press. They were as always marvelous, if a little bit greasy. I washed them down with homemade Horchata (rice milk) and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve tried a lot of the menu here and have always been impressed with the simplicity and quality of the meals.

Once, I learned the hard way that La Garza’s is cash only. I scrounged through my wallet for a $5 bill, and they gave me a deal as I was a regular. This, kids, is one of the multitude of reasons I prefer shopping (and eating) locally. Find a local business, meet the owner, get to know the staff, become a regular.

Next time you have the munchies, maybe you’ll take a risk and try  La Garza’s – a little place that may not look like much, but serves really great food.

Do you have a favorite, off the beaten path place for Mexican food? Shout about it and let the me and the world know.

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