We stumbled upon this little hole-in-the-wall called Taqueria El Gordo, and let me tell you... if…read moreyou're craving a truly traditional Mexican experience, this is the place. It's family-owned, simple, traditional nothing fancy, but the flavor more than makes up for it. On top of that, the family running the place couldn't be more humble and welcoming.
I tried a gordita for the first time; a homemade tortilla stuffed to perfection. Everything is made fresh to order, even the tortillas. You can actually see them working their magic behind the counter, mixing the batter, molding, frying, and cooking right there in front of you. We ordered four gorditas; two carnitas and two steak: each one loaded with mozzarella cheese, sliced avocado, crema (their version of sour cream), onions, and cilantro. Oh my God, now I understand why it's called a gordita -- it's packed!
For the price, you can't beat it. Two gorditas filled me up, and for about $12 total, it's a steal!!! The quality, freshness, and homemade taste easily surpass most restaurants charging twice the price.
We also tried their chilaquiles -- another knockout dish. They use the same homemade tortillas, cut and fried, then topped with their house-made red or green salsa (depending on how much heat you can handle), Mexican cheese, crema, onion, and cilantro, all served over rice and beans with two perfectly fried eggs on top. The green salsa packs more spice, but the red can be blended to your liking. Every bite was pure comfort and flavor.
They even make their own chicharrones from scratch and serve authentic Mexican sodas like Coca-Cola in the tall glass bottles; the ones made with real cane sugar, not the syrupy stuff we're used to here.
Now, let me be clear -- if you're one of those people who expect your food within five minutes, this isn't your spot. Everything here is made fresh, from scratch, and that takes time. People who truly know and appreciate homemade cooking understand that real food doesn't happen within five minutes. So come in, relax, and let them cook. Let them pamper you with their gift of delicious food. Don't rush them, and don't get impatient, this is a humble family who takes pride in perfection. I guarantee you won't find the same level of flavor, love, and authenticity anywhere else.
So far, we've tried two items from the menu, and both were absolute hits. We'll definitely be coming back! Not just because the food is amazing, but because we love supporting humble, hardworking families who pour their heart and culture into every dish they serve. Taqueria El Gordo is a must-try gem for anyone who appreciates true homemade Mexican food made with love. There isn't any other like them here in Lakeland!
