(Cue theme music...) Truly a wonderful Mexican food experience. We found the servers and staff incredibly gracious, inviting, and enjoyable. We each ordered different items and were very pleased at the complex flavors of each dish- a chicken herb special, carnitas, mole tacos, chicken tamales, and chile poblano ... I didn't enjoy the pickled carrots... The are served with a deceptively spicy green sauce that will remove paint from carpeting... Be careful. The corn tortillas were like eating a pat of warm butter- delicious! The decor is a little busy and the place itself is a little throwback. Plenty of parking, local flavor, and good food! read more

We stopped by here on the way to Seattle because of the Yelp reviews. To be honest, I don't think the place is five stars, but the food is very good and it's certainly worth a four star rating. Mexico is a big place, and the food is regional. They make Chili Rellenos differently all over Mexico. The Chili Relleno at La Tarasca is fried in an egg batter, and served bare except for sour cream. I spooned on a heaping helping of their Chili Verde sauce, and man-o-man, I'm a happy camper. La Tarasca is nothing fancy, but the food is a couple of cuts above the typical Mexican restaurant fare. read more

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After finishing the homemade chicken tamale and the carnitas tacos with homemade corn tortillas, and red/green homemade salsas, I wanted to lick the plate. I swear. As others have mentioned, this is not about chips and salsa, gooey cheese or margaritas. Not sure when that became "expected" - but that is a very Americanized view. This is the real thing. Made by grandmas. Worth a trip or a detour. I didn't want it to end. read more

La Tarasca - Small pozole - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

This is HANDS DOWN the best Mexican food in Centralia/Chehalis area. We have come here for years and love love love the authenticity and amazing food. My go to is thee chicken enchiladas and the small cheese quesadillas. Salsas and flan are bomb too!! read more

believe me... no chips, no salsa, no guacamole, no margaritas, AND no substitutions. i wanted to hate this place, but the food was too damn good. carnitas were excellent! If you're hungry in centralia, give it a whirl, be open-minded you American! You can always go to Berry Fields next time for their consistently slightly better than moderate soups, sandwiches and pies. read more

La Tarasca - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

Completely over rated. How is this the number one in centralia ? Unknown. No chips and salsa here, instead you get carrots ? My Hispanic friend from MEXICO, just laughed... read more

This place blew my mind. When I took my first bite of chili Colorado, it was like that scene in Ratatouille where the food critic was transported back to the food of his youth. I live in Portland but have definitely made special trips just for lunch. I've eaten there at least four times now and it has always been the same: delicious. read more

Oh wow what a amazing surprise to find this Jen. They have wonderful authentic food. Must stop here if passing thru. Won't be disappointed.

This is all around the most well-rounded Mexican restaurant in Washington state. They don't hide behind free chip gimmicks or try to mix cuisine from different regions and the country. They are strictly from the Michoacán state and their dishes at least seem representative of the fruit from this region. And all of that said--the Mole is drop dead excellent. Chili Colorado is unforgettable. Chili Verde is so good that you literally want a pint of sauce to go. The owners are friendly and will talk to you about the food they make and are very proud of. read more

They accommodated our party of 8 and made us feel welcome. The food came soon after ordering and was fantastic!

The food was fantastic, and everyone was so friendly. There's a reason they've been in business over 20 years! The carnitas are juicy without being oily, and the pasole/pazole had great flavor as well. Their homemade corn tortillas were amongst the best I've had anywhere. Will definitely come back and try the tamales. read more

La Tarasca - Carnitas - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

Authentic food and the staff go beyond what you normally see. We took our two young Grandsons , the waitress was so attentive ! The food was absolutely delicious! We will be back whenever we come back ! You won't regret eating here :) read more

La Tarasca - Pork in spicy tomato sauce w/beans and rice and homemade corn tortillas ! - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

My favorite best home made family owned very friendly Mexican restaurant been eating here for 10 years now.

Hands down the best Mexican restaurant I've eaten at in a very long time. I have to admit I was a little skeptical when I saw they don't serve chips at all, but once I tasted the food, let me tell you, I forgot all about those missing chips. They start you off with pickled carrots and homemade salsa, which was a surprisingly tasty and unique little appetizer. We also got a chicken tamale, which was DELICIOUS. Clearly homemade and fresh - flavor and texture was exactly on point. For entrees I opted for the chicken mole and my boyfriend got the carnitas. The chicken mole - outstanding. The sauce was earthy and sweet and slightly spicy and just a beautiful combination of flavors. My beans and rice tasted fresh and homemade too. And the fresh, homemade corn tortillas - amazing. The carnitas were every bit as tasty, I'm not sure which I liked better. Solid 5/5 for the food, absolutely no complaints. I believe I've found my new favorite Mexican restaurant. We will definitely be back and HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place! read more

Awesome quick service and authentic food. Refreshing to find delicious and wholesome food on the road. And vegan choices too. Highly recommend! read more

Yum yum yum. Such good authentic Mexican food. Delicious sopas and tacos. Great service every single time. Worth a drive from a Oly any day of the week. read more

Wow! Such delicious and authentic food! The people and the place are adorable, warm, colorful--just impressive! We had the carnitas and tacos de bistek. Both were yum! The homemade tortillas were perfectly turned out--just enough crisp and softness. No chips (and I am a lover of chips!) but didn't care. They serve a fresh relish instead. Everything was incredible. We ended with flan-oy!!!!!! We're going back for the adobado tacos and the mole tomorrow! Although I really want to also try their sopes and all of their soup! Decisions, decisions! read more

I just got done eating here with the ball and chain and kid. It was delicious! I highly recommend the carnitas. My wife got the chile relleno which was also excellent. My kid got a quesadilla with a side of rice and beans that was also great. I was looking for a restaurant that wasn't at the Great Wolf Lodge where we're staying. I'm always up for Mexican food with great ingredients. read more

La Tarasca - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

Delicious!!! We came here while staying at Great Wolf Lodge - the food was really good. Their tortillas are the best! And those pickled carrots - yummy! P.S. Try their Hibiscus ice tea - you will love it. read more

Excellent food! Stopped here on our way down I-5 to Oregon and loved the chance to eat authentic Mexican family recipe food. We met the owner and of course ordered the Carnitas and the Pollo Mole. Best handmade corn tortillas I have had in a long while. read more

a lot to like here. great food, fast and friendly service. THE BEST Verde sauce EVER! You could dip anything into this stuff and love it. The pickled carrots are excellent too! read more

Are you RUNNING to this place right now? Go! Corre! We stopped here because of Yelp and this is a perfect example of why Yelp is amazing. No frills, no un-authentic dishes. This place is run by a bunch of women standing 5 feet tall in authentic Mexican dress and Nike running shoes. They make Michoacán dishes like pork carnitas. The tamales were steaming HOT when they came out of the kitchen. Like I said, strap on your Nikes and RUN to La Tarasca. PS. No chips and salsa (you won't miss them). read more

La Tarasca - One carnitas sope and one tamal. - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

You there were 10 stars, that would be my rating for this restaurant! The family owners stay true to their roots - serving authentic Michoacan food that is to die for. They use their own family recipes, prepared with love and care. This restaurant is better than most in Mexico (have traveled fairly extensively there, so I know.) Where to start? The homemade tortillas are out of this world - freshly home made heavenly goodness. It's worth a trip to this place for the tortillas alone. You'll never forget them, and odds are you will be disappointed from now on with the tortillas you get anywhere else. All varieties of the tacos - pork, beef, etc. are absolutely delicious. Paired with those home made tortillas, just the best. The pork carnitas is the best I have had anywhere, including restaurants in Mexico that specialize in carnitas. Chile Rellenos are unique, authentic and scrumptious. Poblano (not Anaheim) chiles stuffed with queso fresco and fried in egg batter. No sauce on top, which is great because then you can appreciate and enjoy the taste of the chile much better, The daily special is usually a treasured family recipe, unique and delicious. Seriously, you could just go in and order anything blind, no worries, you will be happy with your dish. Staff is friendly, courteous and accommodating for any special needs, e.g. vegan diet, large parties, etc. Centralia is sooooooo lucky to have this restaurant right here in town. It is not only a treasure for our community, but it is worth driving from a long distance to enjoy a meal here. I can just take a lunch break, drive down the street and I'm there (which usually happens at least twice a month, sometimes once a week!) La Tarasca provides you with a truly wonderful and memorable dining experience. You are missing out if you don't try this place, at least once! read more

Great food, lovely staff, welcoming and clean! We will be back!! We had Carnitas and Chile Riano's - they were both wonderful!

Amazing Mexican food and drinks! Loved the Tamarindo ( drink) and fresh tacos. The con mole and chicken tamales so great as well

This place is stinkin amazing. I will stop every time I drive through!! The Chile rellenos are fabulous and the service is wonderful! So so good. Note: closed on Tuesdays read more

A year and a half later after leaving the Mexico border I have finally found a place up north with good Mexican food. This is a great building very festive on the inside. The family is very proud and friendly and they definitely deserve the rating they have been receiving this far. Stopping by again and it is still awesome read more

La Tarasca - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

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What a find! Found this on Yelp looking for a snack while going through Centralia. We were struck by what we found to the point of having to try several things for a full fledged meal. The first clue was the sign on the door warning they don't serve chips before or with the meals - a clear indication that what we were walking into was going to be authentic food taken seriously by the presenters. I can't believe this place has been serving for 21 years and I had no clue it was here. The house specialties we were able to try were all wonderful, from the wonderful slow cooked carnitas with home made corn tortillas to the fresh tamales and superlative Chile Relleno. Topped off by the best home made flan I can recall ever having, this was a true HOME RUN! I can't wait to get back here and try some more delectables off the menu! (Note: If you HAVE to have a margarita, this is not the place for you - they specialize in their authentic time worn food recipes. However they will serve you any one of their many ice cold Mexican beers of your choice in a frosted glass. We chose Negro Modelo - PERFECT!) read more

The negative: they don't serve chips. The positive: 1. Everything is made by "Mamma." 2. The whole menu is GLUTEN FREE!!! 3. The tortillas are amazing - I had a quesadilla and tamale; both were great - the quesadilla was made with quest fresca, the tamale was Meade with stewed pork and was nice and tender. 4. The base of the chicken sope was mild and flavorful; the chicken tostada was was fork-tender and zesty. 5. The salsa is amazing. 6. They serve pickled carrots instead of chips. Probably more healthy than chips. Excellent appetizer. read more

So delicious. Family run and very authentic. Homemade tortillas and great service. Close to I5.

Unbelievably good Mexican restaurant! We go here every time we drive past Centralia. The Chile relleno is my favorite- fresh with a nice broth sauce. The Chile Colorado and tamales are amazing, and everything else we've tried too. I wish we lived closer! read more

So delicious and authentic.. I drive very far out of my way every time I'm in the area from New Mexico to go here.. Everything is so incredibly satisfying and flavorful .. YUM x 1000000 read more

We were on our way home to Oregon from Olympia and used Yelp to find this jewel. The Taco was an amazing and we are still savoring the flan. I Am traveling with my friend something of a Mexican food snob and she wishes she had two stomachs to taste more. She's already planning her next trip here! read more

Pretty authentic place. Not a lot of choices for vegetarians. Everything is housemade. We especially loved the tortillas. Nice and thick, the way I like them. Lack of chips and salsa was a bit of a bummer (well lack of salsa - I always eat way too many chips as it is). I had the Caldo de cameron. It was decent, but definitely not the best I've had. That particular dish is a Mexican go to for me. read more

Everyone raves about this small local Centralia Mexican joint and it's mostly deserved. Their menu is small but well chosen and the ingredients are fresh. We had the carnitas and the chicken mole entrees. While the carnitas had good flavor, it was fairly dry. Same with the chicken breast. The chicken leg was much, much better but you don't get to choose. The orders came out in really quickly which makes me think many items are premade. That's likely why some of the less fatty cuts of meats were dry. The mole sauce was excellent though. I slathered every bite! the rice and beans were very flavorful-- one of the best parts of the meal. If you're expecting chips and salsa, you'll be disappointed. They even have a sign by the front door saying as much. They serve food from the Michoacán area of Mexico and they apparently don't do chips and salsa. We're okay with that. Finally, the flan is highly touted and good. Very much like a creme caramel custard bathed in caramely goodness. In all, one of the better choices of you happen to be hungry in Centralia. read more

First rate authentic Mexican food. The tamales were the best we've ever had in a restaurant. The Chicken enchiladas come with a perfectly cooked chicken breast and chicken leg so flavorful and juicy, steak enchiladas came with a nice sized flavorful steak on the side. Great place but small try the Negra Modelo with lime very refreshing! read more

THE BEST!!!! I can't say enough about this place. Authentic food. Great service. Unique and incredible! read more

I'm very confused why so many fellow Yelpers give this place such high marks? The food is mediocre at best, very expensive, where is the flavor? Seriously, I'm confused by the hype on this restaurant. We decided to try it based on the reviews and the only thing we agree with 4 stars, is the tortillas, fresh and made onsite no doubt! That's it, the soup was made with cheap shrimp and honestly I've had better store bought. Won't be coming back to this place for sure! read more

There is a restaurant worth stopping at between Seattle & Portland! Don't let the building's appearance scare you off. We were greeted warmly, served promptly and taken care of graciously. The tamales and pork carnitas were fabulous, & the homemade corn tortillas to die for. I don't even like corn tortillas & these were awesome. We also had to try the flan, and my pastry cook husband even approved. The whole meal with two sodas was $36 including tax. Definitely coming back again! read more

La Tarasca - The flan! - Mexican Near Me - Centralia, Washington

Best Mexican food around. So glad to have this place right around the corner. I don't have to drive to Seattle for authentic, home style Mexican cuisine. This is our favorite restaurant in Centralia. We are always treated like family and the food is always excellent! I've been trying to work my way through the menu, and I've never been disappointed. read more