BEST MEXICAN FOOD

May 20, 2011 2:15 pm

El Taco Real

935 E Hoffman St

Hammond, Ind.

219.932.8333

El Taco Real owner Raymundo Garcia is true to his word when he says, "If you're coming into my restaurant, it's like you're coming into my home." The idea to open their own restaurant started after Garcia's father told his mother that her food was good enough to be served in one. Garcia's parents opened El Taco Real in 1974 and has been serving up delicious food ever since. The menu is overflowing with tasty appetizers, huge dinner entrées, daily specials, a la carte items and unique deserts - all at very modest prices. Order anything with the pork in it - it's what they're known for, and they have their own butcher on staff that does all of the cutting to get the leanest pieces of meat. Garcia attributes part of El Taco Real's success to its concerns for offering healthier food compared to many other Mexican restaurants. "Mexican food is very easy to make cheaply - it ends up greasy and you end up getting heart burn," says Garcia. "A lot of thought goes into how we make our food here." Garcia explains a big misconception about Mexican food is that the spicier it is, the more authentic it is. "But it's not all about being hot," says Garcia. "I want to make food that's more exciting and flavorful than just hot." El Taco Real's patrons certainly seem to agree.

QUOTE: "Especially in this economy, it's just so easy to take something out of a can, but we don't do that." OR "The restaurant is very comfortable to be in, and the service is very sincere. My staff is really happy to see customers getting what they need. They make people feel really welcome." -Raymundo Garcia, owner of El Taco Real

SECOND PLACE

El Salto

805 Ridge Rd

Munster, Ind.

219.836.0600

757 Indian Boundary Rd

Chesterton, Ind.

219.395.9890

3530 N Calumet Ave

Valparaiso, Ind.

219.462.0100

elsaltorestaurant.com