A quaint and popular family-owned restaurant in Tulare touted for serving the best menudo in town…read more Mike and Sophia are husband and wife, the restaurant co-owners, and they handle all the food preparation, cooking (with the help of their son), greeting, and serving. Therefore, they bring all the recipes from home into the kitchen and every dish.
I will concur the menudo, a peppery, very flavorful soup made with cow tripe, was delicious. The broth was rich and delicately flavored with chili peppers and the tripe tasted fresh and clean, while cooked thoroughly. Starchy hominy in the soup, along with a choice of flour or corn tortillas, adds to the heartiness of this comforting meal. The lemon wedges, diced onions, and chopped cilantro helps eliminate any traces of the pungent taste and smell of the tripe. I recommend ordering it if you have a palate for offal meats and enjoy soup for breakfast or lunch.
The owners told me the other must-try dish is their chile verde - a slow-cooked pork stew in green tomatillo and pepper sauce (salsa verde). It is another traditional Mexican dish that is among my favorites. The meat was very tender as you would expect from the slow-cooked process. There was not that explosion of flavors in the sauce but it was still delicious and I would order it again.
I recommend the dish I ordered. The Mexican plate is a combination of meat taco, cheese enchilada, and chile verde. It is served with beans and rice, and warm tortillas for the chile verde. Interestingly, the taco shell was a soft, but deep-fried corn tortilla, giving it a unique crunch and crispy exterior and a soft interior. I liked what they did with the taco shell. It was a fusion of street taco and the Americanized "gringo" taco, complete with ground or shredded beef (or chicken), chopped lettuce, shredded cheese, and diced tomato. The dish needed a little kick from the salsa but it was, nonetheless, an enjoyable, hearty dish. It is a good choice for those who want to try several of their popular dishes.
The warm hospitality will make your dining experience even more special. Complimentary chips and homemade salsa with your dine-in meal. The restaurant is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch, open from 9 AM to 2 PM, Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Monday).