authentic Mexican food in Louisville

Are there any authentic Mexican restaurants in town? I'm not talking about that Mexican-American (often microwaved) hybrid that's served absolutely everywhere. Somewhere like that place that was in downtown New Albany about 7 or 8 years ago? I live in the heart of taqueria-town. I'm looking for a place that either specializes in one of the regions' dishes, or showcases a few from each or several regions. Not so much a street-food-vendor in a box (although street food plays a large role in Mexican cuisine), but a place with the different soups, the meats-in-sauces dishes, fish dishes, different moles, dishes cooked with the different dried fruits common to some of the regions, some of the regional liqueurs and chocolate drinks, that kind of thing.

[Robin Garr]

Hi, Shannon, and thanks for posting! As we discussed on Facebook, probably Mayan Cafe comes closest to this description with Bruce's attentiveness to Mayan (Yucatan + Guatemala) cuisine, although he does add some delicious "chef-driven" nuances.

I agree that a lot of the little taquerias along Preston, Eastern Boulevard and, increasingly, around the Lyndon area don't really do careful regional cuisine, but you might have a look at Chapinlandia on Preston, which seems to me to be pretty faithful to Guatemalan cuisine. Also, I haven't tried it yet, but El Mariachi in the East End has popped up in a couple of recent discussions here, and it sounds well worth an exploratory visit.

El Molcajete.

See my posted pictures in this thread- viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21521&p=161657#p161657

El Molcajete is outstanding.

Reminds me somewhat of our favorite "off-the-beaten path" REAL Mexican restaurants we visit when in Playa, Cabo, etc.

I find El Marlin, a Mexican Seafood restaurant in off South Hurstbourne to be great. Never had a bad meal there. Sr. Taco on Bardstown Rd. was another, but it closed recently.

Also El Mariachi in Lyndon is great as well. All these places are where the local Mexican and Central American folks go to eat around here...

So here is my pitch for my favorite way to eat, so forgive me if it doesn't fit the topic. I LOVE taquerias, they are a staple around small rural towns in KY where I grew up. With the migrant worker boom on farms throughout the late 80's and early 90's when tobacco was still king, I would go all the time, and still do. Using what rudimentary spanish I know I can definitely order my weight in taco gold anywhere. Though they may not be truly of a particular region, they are a great part of the Central American diaspara here in Kentucky. Some even will have cool hints of the regional flavor you desire if you look right. The Mi Preferida grocery store in Eastland Shopping Center has a great little taco joint in the back. They grill peppers into crumpled sweet charred goodness. They are so sweet that the heat can really take you by surprise so approach with caution. They also have the most extras you will see in any of the local taquerias. Pico de gallo, grilled onions, even ceviche. Taqueria Mexicana I on Preston has the most diverse taco menu I have seen in town. Chicharron, la lengua, even salchicha. If you are brave enough to eat Mexican seafood they have a good Salpicon Del Marisco, and camarrones that I dig. If you really want to go all in on street food you can't get better than Las Gorditas food truck in the Eastland Shopping Center as well. And when you got nothing better to do and you want to see where I grew up and what attracted me to Mexican food as a kid, Simpsonville Flea Market has the best carne asada taco on a simple toasted El Milagro corn tortilla, and the best salsa roja in the biz.

Ok rant over. Sorry

I have to second Mayan as the most like your request. I LOVE Mayan, and Chef Bruce, his brother Willy, and sister-in-law Ann are some of the best restaurateurs in town, on top of having spectacular food.

[Robin Garr]

Ok rant over. Sorry

I loved that rant.

Ok rant over. Sorry

I loved that rant.

Thanks Robin, tacos are HUGE for me. I can't get enough of them. I make weekly plans around taco consumption...

Bam. Adriel wins my vote for most informed post. I would follow his course.

I have to agree with Adriel as wel, but I would put La Tropicana in there too! Being raised and growing up in California, also having a Mexican mother who is an amazing cook taught me the true flavors of Mexican cuisine! My family owned a restaurant when I was growing up called Lanasty and we took several trips across the border to eat wonderful tacos, ceviche, tortas, Moriscos, etc. There's something about having soul in Mexican food, it's kind of like good ol' Southern comfort food. All the places you mentioned capture that...and for the upscale more modern version it's Mayan Cafe! Buen Provecho!

Another one for El Molcajete!

For you El Molcajete fans...

I've been a few times and had different enchilada combos, which were good. And the salsas in the squeeze bottles are good. I'm just not feeling the "wham bam" gotta go back vibe.

Based on y'all's enthusiasm, I think I need to try something else. So, what are your go to items there?

I'll be back for more, but so far, I've only tried these and loved every one of them;
Shrimp and octopus fajitas
Tacos (I've only had the pastor and carnitas, both great)
Tostada de ceviche
The grilled shrimp entrees
Poblano dip
Molcajeteada (below)

Molcajeteada (below)

Damn... I know what I'm doing this weekend...

[Robin Garr]

I don't think anybody has posted this for context, but it's probably worth having in this topic:

El Molcajete Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Molca ... 6958718534