![]() |
![]() |
For the most authentic Mexican food in Ruston (or really almost anywhere around here) check out La Bamba. Have been several times and the food has been just great. It's in the old Olde Mexico location.
As a general rule I don't eat Mexican food north of the Red River. That mostly applies to Oklahoma for us Texans. So I guess east of the Red River does't count as north since Ruston is south of the Oklahoma border.
As a Texas-ex...specifically a South Texas-ex, I am a self-anointed Mexican Food snob. There was a time a few years ago that you just couldn't find good COMIDA in North Louisiana...but thanks to the significant increase in our Hispanic population, you can now find some VERY good Mexican food in our area.
Not sure how good it is, but you can find Mexican food on EVERY corner in our area. You place an order and they have it back out to you before you can dunk a chip in the salsa.
Iron Cactus in Calhoun has great "Tex-Mex" style food. I heard they also had great "grown up green icees"
I think they're one of the better places for sure. I also like Fiesta Linda in Sterlington's Molcajete Laredo, served in the lava-rock bowl. I hear good things about El Sombrero on Restaurant Row in WM, but haven't tried them yet. Was a big fan of El Jarrito in Ruston, then they got "big"...our Farmerville restaurant is still pretty good...but they've grown to so many locations so quickly, I'm concerned they've lost their edge. Wife LOVES Habanero Grill in West Monroe, and is trying to get me to go, but I rarely get to WM...have you tried them yet?
Love Iron Cactus! It's run by two guys who worked for years at Ernesto's in Monroe. Similar, and some same, (rice!) recipes, but without the grunge. Ant the grown-up green icees are great--the frozen ones are more like whipped and frothy than frozen, not terribly thick, so you can drink them quickly if you're so inclined. Well, so I've heard. :icon_wink:
I'll second Dawgpix on skipping Habaneros. The food is just alright and the atmosphere is weird. Seems like more of a watering hole than a family restaurant to me. If you're going to be in that general area and want Mexican, go to Don Tomas on 6th in Monroe. Get the tongue tacos or the pork chile verde. Best tomatillo sauce I've had outside of south Texas.
Pueblo Viejo is really good also, although I haven't been there since their remodel a few weeks ago- heard a management and menu change accompanied the physical changes and that prices went up pretty considerably. I hope they kept the all day, every day 2-for-1 margaritas going.
El Sombrero is pretty good, if a little more Americanized since they first opened. Go there on non-peak hours too, unless noisy, birthday-party infested restaurants are your thing. Margaritas are extremely sour. Get the #55 if you want a taste of everything, just be sure to have someone to share it with. Huge portions.