Traditional Mexican Food (you know, tacos)?

[2xcited2sleep]

Paradiso 37 in Downtown Disney / Disney Springs offers quesadillas, nachos, tacos, and burritos on their menu.

 

[Planogirl]

It's interesting to see people recommending Taco Bell. I would never consider that good Tex-Mex.

To the OP, it's hard to find good Tex-Mex in WDW. I think that you would do better going offsite if you can. Otherwise try La Cantina de San Angel in Epcot.

 

[supersnoop]

If you want Tex-Mex, there's a Chuy's off property. It doesn't get much more authentic than that.

 

[L&Lfan]

It's interesting to see people recommending Taco Bell. I would never consider that good Tex-Mex.

To the OP, it's hard to find good Tex-Mex in WDW. I think that you would do better going offsite if you can. Otherwise try La Cantina de San Angel in Epcot.

I could be wrong, Planogirl, but I think they're being facetious.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Went there Monday for the first time, it was sooooo good. There were four of us and we all loved it. (all adults, I don't think 2/3 of my kids would appreciate it). Ate way too much, it was hard to stop. The server was excellent also.

Thank You! I'm looking forward to going.

 

[alex9179]

It will be interesting when Rick Bayless's restaurant opens up in Disney Springs. His tv show is well researched for authentic Mexican. But sometimes the real restaurant does not live up to the promise.

I'm excited for this. I just got one of his cook books and am looking forward to trying the recipes. He's done a lot to bring attention to Mexican cuisine.

 

[6loversofdisney]

No car this time so no off site.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I've never eaten at La Hacienda, but I have eaten at San Angel (for the atmosphere) and was disappointed at the service and food quality. That had nothing to do with it not being Tex Mex style...we just live in Texas and while we have our fair share of Tex Mex spots, we also have many traditional Mexican options (and have been to Mexico)...and it just didn't hold up. That being said, maybe OP would consider trying one (have heard better things on La Hacienda) of the two Epcot options to experience something a bit more authentic that isn't like what you might be able to get at home.

 

[Indio]

I think La Hacienda is better than San Angel Inn. San Angel has great atmosphere, but it's actually VERY dark and hard to see the menus! My kids did NOT like the food at San Angel.

 

[Epcotgal8]

Chevy's in the Crossroads Shopping Center has decent Tex Mex.

 

[pigletgirl]

The podcast team had a very poor experience recently at San Angel Inn. We ate there this past fall and found the food to be excellent. I think it's really hit or miss, and/or different tastebuds. I grew up in AZ so I know good Mexican food when I find it, and San Angel last fall was pretty darn good.

Almost 2 years ago, we ate at La Hacienda and while is wasn't horrible, it wasn't phenomenal either.

Again, hit or miss. Both restaurants are easy to get ADR's at too!

 

[ellie05]

We like La Hacienda a lot. I've had the shrimp tacos and while not the same as what you'd get at say Moe's they were tasty. Margaritas were good too!

Moes and la hacienda are completely different level. The only Mexican about moes is that they use tortillas.

La hacienda is much better than San Angel inn. OP you really shouldn't call traditional Mexican food in the title. I am sure some of our Mexican disers are shaking their heads reading this.

 

[karen4546]

I've never eaten at La Hacienda, so don't know how good the food is, but found this on their menu:

Tacos de Camarones - Fried shrimp, Chipotle-lime aioli, cabbage, lime and salsa verde, all served over flour tortillas - $25.50

Taquiza - Taco sampler featuring grilled chicken with green tomatillo sauce, grilled steak with roasted Chipotle sauce and rajas poblanos, pork Chilorio served with queso fresco, and battered fish served with a Mayo-Chipotle sauce topped with cabbage - $25.50

I have had both of these - and they are soooo good.

 

[mellyf]

I can't get past the idea that "traditional" Mexican food includes nachos & tacos.

Okay, I totally agree with you on the nachos, but I've been plenty of Mexican restaurants (that serve traditional Mexican food), that serve tacos. I'm pretty sure (but could always be proven wrong) that tacos ARE traditional Mexican food. They just don't look like what many people expect tacos to look like...ground hamburger in a hard shell. Soft corn tortillas are wrapped around carnitas or carne asada, or other traditional fillings (tripe, anyone?). And they're not garnished with lettuce, tomato, and yellow cheese. More likely is diced onion, cilantro, and/or salsa.

 

[Biggreen19]

Maya Grill has some pretty good fijita dishes as well as some tex mex like apps. Pepper Market serves some tex mex meals as well. Both restaurants are located at Coronado Springs resort.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I can't get past the idea that "traditional" Mexican food includes nachos & tacos.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/where-did-the-taco-come-from-81228162/

They weren't confused. They wanted to correct you in a nasty, condescending way.

For what it's worth, I didn't find San Angel very traditional because traditionally, Mexican food has flavor.

I'm pretty sure (but could always be proven wrong) that tacos ARE traditional Mexican food.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Other posters have pointed to the few dishes that might fit the taco bill. My two cents on both San Angel Inn and Cantina de San Angel: I found the food bland (as one PP mentioned), and not so enjoyable. Not terrible by any means, but just ok, I guess.

We are trying Hacienda de San Angel in Aug -- I'd be happy to share any feedback afterwards, if you'd like.

I've eaten everything from awesome food while in Mexico, to pretty authentic Mexican food while living in San Diego, to the tacos I make at home with those TexMex shells -- my family likes it all!! Glad you aren't letting the snarkiness penetrate!

One thought I just had: if you want to try to get the kids to try some new stuff, maybe the taco as a jumping off point might be a good one! Something they're familiar with, done differently? Just a thought.

 

[Raeven]

I prefer nachos, tacos, burritos myself, and Paradiso 37 (Disney Springs) looked the closest to that. We'll be going there in September. We also did La Catina de San Angel and I enjoyed the nachos but didn't think the tacos were that good.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/where-did-the-taco-come-from-81228162/

The origins of the taco are really unknown.

Whatever they were, the article is pretty clear that the taco as we know it was an American invention designed to bring Mexican food across the border. It was surely adapted from something actually eaten in Mexico, and possibly called a taco, but there were no fried shells, cheddar cheese, etc, and I doubt OP is looking for offal.

If you handed a Taco Bell "taco" to a person from Mexico, they probably wouldn't believe you if you told them what it was supposed to be.

 

[Huff]

For what it's worth, I didn't find San Angel very traditional because traditionally, Mexican food has flavor.

For the items I've ordered at San Angel I've found they were very bold flavored unlike some of the chain 'Mexican' restaurants around town and I live in AZ. Now if you meant extra hot spicy then that would be more Sonoran rather that traditional Mexican which is more common to the entirety of MX.