In a little house on a short street in Salem, Virginia, one that if it were not painted a bright…read moreorange color, would simply go unnoticed, is housed one of the smallest restaurants that I have ever seen. Yet we must not let its size deceive us, just as we should not judge a gift by its size nor a book by its cover.
After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another
have not reached the public in its totality. And Tacos Coronados in Salem, Virginia, is the perfect example.
After driving by this Mexican little restaurant the other day on my way to Gusto Pizza for dinner, I thought to myself, "It is in small hole in the wall places like this one that one finds amazing food. I definitely need to return soon to try it out." And today is that day. I set my Lexus GPS to their address and started driving their way, encountering a torrential rain along the way, only being able to see a bright orange spot when I arrived. I decided to wait in my car for a while listening to music. As the rain resided and I was able too see the Mexican restaurant, the first thing I did was take a photograph of it from inside my car, since small drops of rain were still falling from the sky.
Once inside, I noticed the place was also painted the same bright orange color, had a counter were To Go orders were taken and picked up, and a modern computer cashier where orders were paid. But what impressed me the most was the cleanliness of the place, and how very organized it was, with well use of space for five booths that each could seat four persons comfortably. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its food.
A friendly gentleman came out from the back to greet me and gave me a warm welcome. He appreciated very much that I spoke Spanish and talked to me about the restaurant and its menu. Most of their business is for Take Out orders, but on some days and times it can get full with dine-in customers. One thing that caught my attention was that Chips and Salsa were listed in the menu under Appetizers for $4.50. Afterwards I did my research and found out that Chips and Salsa is not a traditional complimentary offering in Mexico. It is considered an American Tradition. And that some restaurants make it a point to serve high-quality chips and salsa, justifying a charge for them.
I ordered a bottle of Orange Fanta to drink and a Gorditas al Pastor (with Pork) Special to eat. Their appetizers in the menu were limited to Chips and Salsa, and Chips and Guacamole. And they had no dessert items. However, they did have Taco Tuesdays, when Pork or Chicken Tacos are $2 each. This was the first time ever that I have had gorditas but my server explained that they were a traditional Mexican street food consisting of a thick masa (corn dough) cake that is fried, then slit open to create a pocket and stuffed with various fillings like cheese, shredded meats like carnitas (pork), beans, and vegetables. Their picture sure looked good on the menu. The name "gordita" means "little fat one" in Spanish, referring to its plump, thick shape. They were crunchy and tasty, full of flavor. I definitely enjoyed my meal of genuine Mexican street food, highly recommend the restaurant for a very unique dining experience with genuine Mexican cuisine and an extraordinary customer service.
