Home

Family News

Our Favorite Recipes

Restaurant Reviews

Back to Roseville Restaurants

Email Eric 

Email Sharlene:  

t

 

 

 

 

 

I have been meaning to visit Taqueria El Tapatio ever since they've been open, as I pass by the restaurant quite often, but for unknown reasons, I just never got around to paying them a visit.  I made it a resolution for 2012 to visit El Tapatio, and on Saturday, February 4, 2012, I fulfilled my New Year's resolution by enjoying a delicous breakfast at Taqueria El Tapatio #9.

 

Photo:  Taqueria El Tapatio #9 is located on busy Douglas Blvd., inside an old mission-style, former Taco Bell store, dating back to the 1980's.  Note the beautiful, blue skies on this sunny Saturday morning, February 4, 2012.  If this building appears familiar to you, you're right, as Taqueria San Jose used to be located here, until they lost their lease a couple of years ago.

 

Photo:  The format is very simple, in that you make your selection from the menu posted above the counter, and place your order with the gentleman behind the counter.  Unlike most restaurants who use this format, you don't pay for your order until you're finished.  Note the vast array of selection the menu offers, and the menu even offers north-of-the-border favorites, such as steak and eggs, which I plan to try.  The well-equipped salsa and chip bar stands to the right of the counter... more on that later.

 

Photo:  The dining room isn't fancy, and it doesn't offer world-class decor, but it gets the job done, and who cares?  ... the food is delicious, reasonably priced, and the staff is very friendly.

 

Photo:  The spacious and clean kitchen is very visible from the order counter, as I simply leaned over the counter and snapped this photo.  Taqueria El Tapatio #9 had only two staff members working today, but the service was fast and friendly.  It's interesting to note that all the photos in this article were shot using the camera on my iPhone 4, rather than one of my stand-alone digital cameras.  There's an old saying in photography that "The best camera is the one that you have with you," and the iPhone camera certainly accomplishes that task.

 

Photo:  Here's a close-up photo of the well-stocked salsa bar.  I especially enjoyed the creamy guacamole, in the center of the photo, but also enjoyed salsa verde on the left, and salsa cruda on the right.  The salsa is fresh and made in-house.  It's a serve yourself, enjoy all-you-can eat, salsa and chip buffet!  The chips are on the counter, out of the photo, and are kept warm under a heat lamp, and you grab a basket, and a pair of tongs, and help yourself.  

 

Photo:  I pose with one of my favorite Mexican breakfasts:  Menudo, corn tortillas, and a Pacifico beer.

 

Photo:  A benchmark of an authentic taqueria is whether they serve menudo, and Taqueria El Tapatio #9 passes muster, as they serve menudo.  You get a gigantic bowl of this savory soup, diced onions, oregano, chili peppers, sliced limes, and six corn tortillas, for seven bucks, including tax, which is a great deal.  Not to mention all the chips and salsa you can eat!

There is nothing fancy about Taqueria El Tapatio, but most people, including myself, don't come to this restaurant expecting elegant decor and world-class dining.  We come expecting good, authentic Mexican food, and that's what we get, at very reasonable prices.  What more could you ask for in a taqueria?  I can really see myself becoming a regular at Taqueria El Tapatio...

Taqueria El Tapatio #9
1025 Douglas Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95678
916 788-0212


Copyright(c) 2012 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002.