Mr. Taco, a new Mexican restaurant, hopes to offer authentic food to the Athens area.
When thinking of places to find authentic Mexican dishes, Athens isn't exactly at the top of the list — but a new local restaurant is looking to change that.
Owner Luis Cardenas, who is originally from Mexico, opened up Mr. Taco Inc. because he wanted to bring authentic Mexican food to Ohio University and the Athens area.
“I opened for the university, because I want to try to bring real Mexican food here,” Cardenas said. “Fifteen years I’ve been involved with Mexican cooking and restaurants.”
Mr. Taco Inc., is located at 122 W. Union St., which was previously Jerusalem Grill and before that, Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant.
Patrons at Mr. Taco can expect to find Mexican classics prepared "the correct way," Cardenas said.
“It’s authentic, it’s real Mexican tacos, quesadillas, we cook it the right way,” he said. “It’s not like Tex-Mex. We use the tacos with fresh meat, cilantro and spicy salsas.”
The prices, he said, are very reasonable, especially for college students.
“A taco is $1.75. Some of the items like burritos are more expensive at $7," Cardenas said. "It’s all pretty cheap."
The restaurant will also be open later on weekends. During the week and on Sundays, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and it is open until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cardenas also intends to eventually serve liquor at the restaurant.
Ashley Trusko, a junior studying biology/pre-physical therapy, tried Mr. Taco recently, and enjoyed the authentic experience.
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“I got a pork taco, a chicken taco, and a chicken quesadilla," Trusko said. "It was really good, it was very traditional, nothing like Taco Bell. That's kind of what I was expecting."
KT Bugenstein, a freshman studying media arts, hopes Mr. Taco is better than other mexican-inspired fare offered in Athens.
“It must be more authentic than Casa (Nueva),” Bugenstein said. “Casa is just a little too earthy-vegan for me. I like my Mexican food a bit more traditional.”
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