La Michoacana

Delicious authentic Mexican hot meals sold on weekends inside a daily tienda (small store). Not what you'd think of as a restaurant destination unless you want really good tasting authentic Mexican food rather than Tex-Mec standard fare and don't expect candlelit atmosphere.

When you enter the establishment, it is well lit and clean. To the right is the store area, and to the left are booths and tables for in-store eating. You proceed to the back of the eating area which has a small table where someone takes your order chosen from the menu posted above the table. You can also pick and choose, as I did. They speak excellent English, so don't be hesitant about going in.Then wander the store, pick a drink from the drinks case, and choose a table to wait for your food to be delivered to you.

The refried beans taste like beans rather than tasteless paste. The tortillas taste like corn and are soft and delicious. The meat is seasoned to perfection, whether chicken, pork or beef. For the adventurous, they also serve tripe tacos and beef tongue. Be sure to arrive early in the day if you want carnitas because they'll be sold out by the afternoon.

My husband got Jalisco Chicken which came with 4 medium tortillas, rice, pico de gallo, lettuce and two slices of avocado. I could barely keep from snitching chicken off his plate while waiting for my own food. I ordered 1 taco, 1 tamale, beans and a little lettuce.

I received 2 regular soft tortillas heaped with beef cubes - the real way with no lettuce, tomato or sour cream, just a slice of lime. I received a plate with a tamale verde - a pork tamale with a bit of salsa verde inside and topped with a bit of queso (cheese), a nice serving of shredded lettuce and the beans. The tamale was made with more filling than masa, which is the style I like.

On the way out I had to stop by the spices and picked up 1/2 ounce of saffron for $1.50. In total our bill was less than $15.00. All of the staff were smiling, friendly and helpful. Additionally, you know the food is authentic when more than the half the customers are local Latinos.

I definitely plan on stopping in again whenever I'm Mayfield on a weekend!