La Tapatia Restaurant in Phoenix
125 West Main, Phoenix, Oregon
During lunchtime at La Tapatia in Phoenix, a lengthy, but quickly moving
Everyone is there. The regulars include lots of Hispanic workers and families, entire construction crews, students and local business owners, along with a few folks from Medford. Clearly, their reputation for great food is off the charts.
You won’t find any waiters, printed menus or fancy linens. After reaching the order counter, you can choose from the regular menu on a large signboard, one of the daily specials on the chalkboard, or from the limited special offerings advertised each day.
Popular chalkboard specials are wet burritos at $6.99 or $1.00 tacos, which have won “Best Tacos” in the Valley more times than anywhere else. The construction-worker-sized wet burrito is huge and smothered with cheese and sauce. The chicken fajita plate special at $9.99 comes out of the kitchen sizzling, accompanied by 10 steamed tortillas and a plate of condiments—good for sharing with a friend.
Meat choices include shredded or roasted pork, spicy or slow roasted beef, chicken, tongue, beef cheek, fish and more, including vegetarian options. A salsa bar offers 8 different salsas, from extreme habanero hot to avocado mild. Warm roasted jalapenos with caramelized onions are next to other chilled condiments–radishes and pickled carrots with jalapenos. Orders more than $5 include a side of warm tortilla chips.
Three people can have lunch for under $20 and definitely won’t leave hungry. Bring a friend!