La Super Rica Taqueria

Where: 622 North Milpas Street, 963-4940

What: La Super Rica may not be large enough to hold all of the patrons waiting to order, but it’s dedicated to quality and fresh handmade menu items.

How Much: Menu items between $3 and $10 (tacos de bistec $3.10)

The dish: Endorsed by the late Julia Child as one of the most authentic Mexican home-cooking restaurants around, La Super-Rica upholds the reputation brought upon it by the ultimate foodie spotlight. This taqueria shows up on almost every hit list of restaurants for out-of-towners. A line crawls out the door and onto the sidewalk that hits Milpas Street, partly because there is no space to wait inside in front of the ordering counter and chalkboard menu and partly due to its immense popularity with locals and tourists alike. Its character comes from the fact that its tiny kitchen practically overflows onto the cash register, giving patrons a glimpse into the factory-like task of balling up masa and slamming it between the two clamps of the tortilla press.

These same tortillas taste gently steamed when served fresh with choices of melted cheese, pasilla peppers, creamy guacamole, or seasoned grilled meats. It is not uncommon to see the covered patio full of tabletops with Styrofoam throwaway plates and two people sharing an assortment of acclaimed menu options. Numbered menu items range from simple tacos (tortilla and meat) to heavier and more involved dishes such as the Super-Rica Especial (a combo of roasted pasilla peppers, cheese, and pork). Always consider the daily specials, too, such as Tuesday’s fabulous sopes.