La Mixteca

7822 Portland Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55420
952-884-1985

Category: Mexican

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: N/A (Self service)
Ambience: 4

Recommendation: Excellent! This authentic Mexican cafeteria-style restaurant offers great food, including “Chipotle-style” burritos done right, at very reasonable prices.

La Mixteca is in the location where the old Taco Morelos used to be. It is owned by 2 brothers, Jorge Gomez and Miguel Hernandez, from Oaxaca, Mexico. Nick had a chance to speak with Jorge the last time he was there and was impressed at their genuine caring for the restaurant and the food they serve their patrons. They are in the process of bringing a little more ambience to this restaurant (note that this is in a strip mall). The existing look is quite bare with some murals on the wall and a cafeteria style order line and seating area.

The menu is authentic and offers Burritos, Tacos, Gorditas, Salads, and more with a choice of many meats including Asada (steak), Barbacoa (pulled steak), Chorizo (sausage), Carnitas (pulled pork), Spicy Chicken, etc. For those that are familiar with Chipotle, the concept is the same, but this place does it right (it actually has flavor). You can add rice and choice of beans to your dish as well as add-ons such as cheese, lettuce, guacamole, cilantro, etc and choose from of 6-8 salsas ranging from the non-spicy Pico to the hot Chile de Arbol. The meats are excellent – the Carnitas are juicy while the Spicy Chicken (flavored with Habanero and Arbol chilies) has a nice kick. Nick usually keeps his burrito simple with rice, beans, cilantro and pico, and tops it off with Habanero and Arbol salsas (as you can guess – he likes spicy food). This restaurant also has authentic Mexican drinks including ones made with Tamarind and Hibiscus. And if you haven’t tried Mexican Coca Cola, here’s your chance – they make it with real sugar, not corn syrup. Jorge and Miguel just launched a Mexican baked goods section as well, but we haven’t had a chance to sample the wares. This place is highly recommended and Nick has been here many times for lunch; you’ll leave satisfied with an appreciation for true Mexican flavors.

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Update (November 19, 2007) – Another fabulous experience at La Mixteca. This time we tried a Taco Platter – 3 tacos with one each of Asada (steak), Carnitas (Pork), and Lengua (Beef Tongue). The tacos were topped simply with cilantro, onion, hot salsa, lime, and a bit of cheese. We especially liked the Lengua because it was very tender and just melts in your mouth (if you’ve never tried tongue before, don’t fear and just go for it – you’d be surprised because the texture is not stringy as many would expect tongue to be). The owners are also launching an expanded menu which includes a Platter of Chorizo, Chicken, Asada, Carnitas, Shrimp, and Queso Frito (Cheese) served with beans, some fabulous guacamole, and rice – what a treat.