Tuesday, October 21, 2008

TAQUERIA LA HACIENDA - Minneapolis

Taqueria La Hacienda is located in the Mercado Central on East Lake Street in Minneapolis. The Mercado Central is a large warehouse-like space converted into a busy 'plaza' of individually owned tiny businesses featuring perfumes, Latin music & DVDs, clothing, magazines & newspapers, imported Mexican food stuffs, and most importantly numerous food counters serving authentic Mexican cuisine!

The menu includes tacos, burritos, combination plates, quesadillas and various sides; all are homemade from family recipes.

For lunch, I chose the soft tacos and rice. The 2 al pastor (Mexican style barbecued pork cooked on a gyro stick) and 1 pollo (chicken) tacos were handfuls of perfection. The tidbits of chicken and the thin strips of pork were moist & exploding with flavor. The pork had slightly charred edges. The over-flowing al pastor and pollo tacos were topped with diced white onion and chopped cilantro. I also had the rice. This fluffy side was gently seasoned with tomato sauce, garlic, onion and oil. The tacos are just like the tacos offered by many of the street vendors you would find in any Mexican town!

Taqueria La Hacienda has a large selection of Mexican sodas, jamaica and horchata. I had the Mexican Coca Cola (sweeter than the Coke sold in the USA) with my meal.

A stroll through the Mercado quickly "transports" me to one of the many pueblos with a bustling plaza in Mexico!

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm...

$
++++


$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”