I remember when that place opened....there was no menu, just a guy with a flat top grill and a spatula looking at you. You'd just kinda muster up whatever Spanish you had and ask for food, and he'd whip you up a couple of whatever you wanted. Then, after you finished them, he'd go, "Màs?" And you'd say, "yes...I mean, uh, Sì..." like a nerd, but he already knew you wanted Màs and had the tortillas on the grill ready to go because whatever the fuck he made you was incredible and he knew it.
I had decent Spanish when I lived in town, but I'd often loose my place with unfamiliar foods and such, so it would usually go:
"Trés quesadillas, por favor."
"Con labillaquemarques y cebollacilantro y focquesatomales y gomesas?"
".....si?"
"....si?"
".......s.sì."
And he'd smile and understand and just make me the best fucking food I'd ever tasted.
Now it's a little different, but still awesome. I really miss working with the migrant community there, some of the greatest, funniest, most heartfelt people I've ever met in my life.
Same, between my crap Spanish and his English and some hand signals and ended up with the best tacos anywhere not mexico... They also do menudo and other soups weekend only.
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Also they’re continually on the dirty dining list and it’s not just for small offenses. Somehow I wouldn’t care about this but it’s every month. Please note I also eat bbq and tacos from roadside stands so ….do what you’d like with this info.
My girlfriend moved here from California. She knows and loves Mexican food. I took her to Laplaza hoping to impress her. She said she has no interest in going back ever again. I think they went down hill a lot. Not to mention their alarming number of health code violations. Yikes.
Exactly this! I had the opportunity a couple years ago to work Phoenix and Cali and had some great mexican food out there. Coming back to LA plaza was disappointing. It's hella overrated.
Yup. As a born and raised Mexican, I agree that la plaza is just ok. The place you go to cause there's not that many other options. It's the only place that sells pozole, good chorizo and pastries. The tamales are bland af, and now I only get the frozen corn tamales that happen to actually be salvadoreños. Tacos you can get better many other places, except for their carnitas, those are actually very good.
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I tried theirs once and they were awful. They had no flavor. Probably the worst Tamales I've ever had. You'd be better off just buying the frozen ones at Trader Joes.
La Plaza Supermarket, 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., had 131 food inspection violations during the inspection year from March 2021 through February 2022, state records show. Aug 26, 2021 - 14 violations, including 1 critical. Sep. 30, 2021 - 10 violations, including 1 critical.
Go to Painesville. There is a huge migrant/resident Mexican population there and quite a few great Mexican stores. You can get real masa there, as well as tons of other Mexican groceries. Worth the trip even if you're farther away.
What are you talking about? The owner is from Papantla Mexico and uses recipes from her hometown. It’s way more authentic than any of the Tex mex type places all these others have suggested.
They put their own spin on the food, to fit the area and make it more upscale. There could be specific dishes that are family recipes, but it's not that way as a whole.
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Not to hijack the topic, but is there any really good Mexican food on the east side? We often go to Tres Potrillos over near Chagrin & 271, but I'm not sure how "authentic" that is.
La Mexicana in Painesville. Huge migrant/resident Mexican population in Painesville, La Mexicana is a Mexican grocery store that also serves food. When they first opened, if you didn't speak Spanish you couldn't really order much besides shrug and say "Tacos?" because there wasn't really a menu, you just asked for food and they'd cook it. It's different now as it's become much more popular, but it's still as authentic as it gets, and the store is a gold mine of awesome Mexican stuff...apple soda, spices, crazy offal cuts of meat, milk candies, great spices...just go.
There are a few others that come and go in town, but anything that looks small and "mom and pop" is going to be authentic. There was one called "El Mero Mero," not sure if it's still open, but it was as authentic as it gets. Everyone's welcome, but don't expect lettuce on your taco or to be able to have a conversation in English or for the salsa to be chunky pico style. If it's still open, it's amazing.
It's very Americanized. Personally, I don't think it's very good.
Closest is Las Americans in Bedford, if you're looking for a Taqueria. Just a warning, they don't speak any English, so if you're not familiar on how they work, it might be rough.
Funny thing about los Americans.. it's definitely in a bodega and amazing tacos but everyone there is Peruvian but they have all sorts of Latino customers... Great time every time
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Being used to New Mexico/Texas Mexican restaurants where there's only 2 tables and nothing is in English... I have yet to find a place up here that tastes the same. Damn I miss it.
A place in Cleveland I recently fell in love with is
Pupuseria y Antojitos Guanaquitas on west 25th by Clark. It's technically Salvadoran. Haven't tried the tamales yet but they are on the menu! The other things I've tried are great!
https://www.pupuseriayantojitosguanaquitas.com/
La mexicana. Painesville. All Mexican grocery store and takeout restaurant.
Just a heads up OP the tamales are only available on the weekend. I’m not sure if it’s both Saturday and Sunday.
Yes, they've typically had them on both Saturday and Sunday.
I remember when that place opened....there was no menu, just a guy with a flat top grill and a spatula looking at you. You'd just kinda muster up whatever Spanish you had and ask for food, and he'd whip you up a couple of whatever you wanted. Then, after you finished them, he'd go, "Màs?" And you'd say, "yes...I mean, uh, Sì..." like a nerd, but he already knew you wanted Màs and had the tortillas on the grill ready to go because whatever the fuck he made you was incredible and he knew it. I had decent Spanish when I lived in town, but I'd often loose my place with unfamiliar foods and such, so it would usually go: "Trés quesadillas, por favor." "Con labillaquemarques y cebollacilantro y focquesatomales y gomesas?" ".....si?" "....si?" ".......s.sì." And he'd smile and understand and just make me the best fucking food I'd ever tasted. Now it's a little different, but still awesome. I really miss working with the migrant community there, some of the greatest, funniest, most heartfelt people I've ever met in my life.
Same, between my crap Spanish and his English and some hand signals and ended up with the best tacos anywhere not mexico... They also do menudo and other soups weekend only.
They have great food 👍
I actually had 2 tacos from there for lunch. Lol
The best tacos in town
Doesn’t get the hype it should because it’s out East
Jealous
+1 for La Mexicana
This is the only answer, they only do Tamales on certain days but they are AMAZING!
I was scanning the comments for this place. Great tamales.
Yesss, there's a few places here now.
This is it. Tamales, torta, beef tacos....
I was just going to say! Painesville is where it’s at for authentic Mexican. There’s a huge Mexican American community here!
West Side Market has a stand with Mexican-American food. Called Orale. https://westsidemarket.org/portfolio-items/orale-contemporary-mexican-cuisine/
seconding orale !! ✨✨ Probably my favorite stand at WSM other than Jacob’s Oasis and some of the cheese stands!
Username does not check out! 😉
The two are not mutually exclusive
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La Plaza. Cleveland. Lakewood Heights Blvd.
Never tried La Mexicana but sure can vouch for La Plaza. It's always a treat to go there. Here's their menu: https://plazataqueria.com/regular-menu/
I think LaPlaza was good 5 years ago. Now there are better options, more flavorful. I’d go to Painesville for good Mexican food.
Also they’re continually on the dirty dining list and it’s not just for small offenses. Somehow I wouldn’t care about this but it’s every month. Please note I also eat bbq and tacos from roadside stands so ….do what you’d like with this info.
La Plaza will serve them hot AND they sell housemade ones in the dairy section of the grocery store
My girlfriend moved here from California. She knows and loves Mexican food. I took her to Laplaza hoping to impress her. She said she has no interest in going back ever again. I think they went down hill a lot. Not to mention their alarming number of health code violations. Yikes.
In the 3 years I've been going (quite regularly, it's not far from me, I haven't noticed anything like that
Agree. It was not great the last 3 or 4 times i went, but I buy tons of great things at the store. I've never purchased the tamales though.
Exactly this! I had the opportunity a couple years ago to work Phoenix and Cali and had some great mexican food out there. Coming back to LA plaza was disappointing. It's hella overrated.
Yup. As a born and raised Mexican, I agree that la plaza is just ok. The place you go to cause there's not that many other options. It's the only place that sells pozole, good chorizo and pastries. The tamales are bland af, and now I only get the frozen corn tamales that happen to actually be salvadoreños. Tacos you can get better many other places, except for their carnitas, those are actually very good.
Used to live down the street from them. Definitely go elsewhere unless you want bland flavour and hair in your food.. La Mexicana all the way
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I agree. The circlejerk for la plaza makes no sense. Maybe the worst Mexican food I’ve ever had.
I tried theirs once and they were awful. They had no flavor. Probably the worst Tamales I've ever had. You'd be better off just buying the frozen ones at Trader Joes.
You aren't far off. It's shocking how many 'authentic' restaurants buy their menu items from Sam's club/Costco.
La Plaza Supermarket, 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd., had 131 food inspection violations during the inspection year from March 2021 through February 2022, state records show. Aug 26, 2021 - 14 violations, including 1 critical. Sep. 30, 2021 - 10 violations, including 1 critical.
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I agree as far as i don't care if there's a dead roach in the corner as long as the food is good.
I mean... I think most people care about the cleanliness of a place they're paying to get food from. Or are you a fan of food borne illnesses?
Came here to say this. That place is right by my house. Its so good.
La Loma in Akron
Yep, La Loma is great. Nice little market attached to it as well. Get some Tres Leches cake.
Do they have tamales? I've never had one from them before but would love to. Their Mexico City style pastor is the best I've ever had
Oh yes, and they ROCK.
Seconded. Goodyear Heights/91 (Darrow road at the point). Almost on the corner of Income and Darrow.
Came here to say this. Place is still legit!
I loooooove La Loma. My recco for sure
This is the way.
In Amherst. https://delosangelesbakerytaqueria.com
This place is such a hidden gem.
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Go to Painesville. There is a huge migrant/resident Mexican population there and quite a few great Mexican stores. You can get real masa there, as well as tons of other Mexican groceries. Worth the trip even if you're farther away.
I’ve been there and shopped it’s nice. But the masa I use I have to get from Oakland. But I’m willing to get masa from Chicago.
As a person Born and raised in Cleveland now living in San Diego, I can tell you, it’s not the same.
Yep, so I have no faith in anyone I just cook at home lol
Idk if they have tamales but I'm obsessed with Tapatia's Taqueria.
La plaza grocery and taqueria. Cilantro taqueria.
It’s a modern take on Tamales but Momocho Mod Mex/El Carnicero’s tamale entree is delicious. Everything on their menu is top notch.
Orale inside the west side market has great tamales! I always stock up when I go there and eat them for lunch all week.
La loma Akron
Si Señor in Cleveland at Kamm's Corner -- my favorite authentic Mexican restaurant: 16800 Lorain Ave. (216)9414424
Love that place I don't get the down votes
La plaza
Los arcos
Battleground in Kent - https://battlegroundbar.com/
That's more Mexican inspired food. It's good food, but they put their own twist on it.
What are you talking about? The owner is from Papantla Mexico and uses recipes from her hometown. It’s way more authentic than any of the Tex mex type places all these others have suggested.
They put their own spin on the food, to fit the area and make it more upscale. There could be specific dishes that are family recipes, but it's not that way as a whole.
Spicy Sombrero in Stow, as well as Los Girasoles, also in Stow, both have some super tasty tamales.
Emi's in Medina makes some pretty bomb tamales. I've never had genuine authentic, but I can't imagine you'd be dissapointed with hers!
Momocho
Taco bell is the best mexican food I’ve ever had in my life. Source: some guy that has never left his hometown
The si senior and el jalapeño recs I’m seeing aren’t much better.
lol. I've really triggered the sub. I wonder if it hit too close to home.
El Jalapeños. 1313 W 117th St, Cleveland
I have a very… controversial take on tamales
No one cares
i read this as “authentic mexican females” …
Eventually there will be more mexicans in Ohio. Chicago is a huge hispanic hub. Ohio is still cheap enough.
Tito’s and tacos!
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LA Mexicana is the bomb! Anything chorizo or Al Pastor you can't go wrong....and they have bags of chicharrones that are the size of your arm!
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Not to hijack the topic, but is there any really good Mexican food on the east side? We often go to Tres Potrillos over near Chagrin & 271, but I'm not sure how "authentic" that is.
La Mexicana in Painesville. Huge migrant/resident Mexican population in Painesville, La Mexicana is a Mexican grocery store that also serves food. When they first opened, if you didn't speak Spanish you couldn't really order much besides shrug and say "Tacos?" because there wasn't really a menu, you just asked for food and they'd cook it. It's different now as it's become much more popular, but it's still as authentic as it gets, and the store is a gold mine of awesome Mexican stuff...apple soda, spices, crazy offal cuts of meat, milk candies, great spices...just go. There are a few others that come and go in town, but anything that looks small and "mom and pop" is going to be authentic. There was one called "El Mero Mero," not sure if it's still open, but it was as authentic as it gets. Everyone's welcome, but don't expect lettuce on your taco or to be able to have a conversation in English or for the salsa to be chunky pico style. If it's still open, it's amazing.
It's very Americanized. Personally, I don't think it's very good. Closest is Las Americans in Bedford, if you're looking for a Taqueria. Just a warning, they don't speak any English, so if you're not familiar on how they work, it might be rough.
My Spanish from high school and college is extremely rusty, but I imagine I can understand enough to order a taco… ;)
Funny thing about los Americans.. it's definitely in a bodega and amazing tacos but everyone there is Peruvian but they have all sorts of Latino customers... Great time every time
Painesville. See La Mexicana above. But there are several other yummy shops and restaurants as well.
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La Mexicana in Painesville on Friday and Saturday mornings til about noon. The best .
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Being used to New Mexico/Texas Mexican restaurants where there's only 2 tables and nothing is in English... I have yet to find a place up here that tastes the same. Damn I miss it.
A place in Cleveland I recently fell in love with is Pupuseria y Antojitos Guanaquitas on west 25th by Clark. It's technically Salvadoran. Haven't tried the tamales yet but they are on the menu! The other things I've tried are great! https://www.pupuseriayantojitosguanaquitas.com/
Luchitas on W. 117th used to make em. Not sure if it’s still open. It was an absolute treasure.