Las Tarascas
By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell
Sure, dining establishments located in strip malls don’t typically top the list of places you’re excited to visit. But when one earns the Best in State award for Mexican food three years in a row, you’re forced to reconsider; set your snobbery aside.
Located in the same shopping center as Albertson’s off University Parkway in Provo, Las Tarascas just might qualify as a dive. But what it lacks in ambiance is more than made up for with quirky charm and some of the most delicious, authentic and inexpensive Mexican cuisine this side of the border. That’s because the Las Tarascas team takes pride in the fact that they are serving up the real deal. Many of the cooks are Oaxacan natives using the same recipes they knew back home, with the exception of burritos—which are an American invention (as our server kindly informed us).
Every meal comes with chips, classic red tomato salsa and green tomatillo salsa. We sampled a variety of entrees from flavorful chile rellenos to tender, spicy steak tacos. We had to try out the award-winning enchiladas, which can be ordered with red or green sauce, or Oaxacan mole. We opted for the Enchiladas Rojas, rolled with fresh corn tortillas. Chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, authentic queso fresco and classic red enchilada sauce complete the meal. And instead of your classic rice-and-beans combo, many entrees (including the Enchiladas Rojas) come with a side of hands-down delicious Mexican potatoes. We could have ordered two plates of these bad boys, alone.
Any Utahn interested in authentic Mexican cuisine needs to give Las Tarascas a try, por favor. With friendly service, fabulous food and fair prices (most meals are around $8), you’ve got nothing to lose but an empty stomach.
{Que Rico!}
Las Tarascas
2255 N. University Parkway #39
Provo, Utah
(801) 373-0273
October 1st, 2008 at 9:14 am
that guacamole/lime stuff that comes with the chips is to die for! i think about it often…
October 1st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I LOVE that place!
October 1st, 2008 at 1:57 pm
We ate there last summer and we loved it. By far the best Mexican restaurant in Utah County.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I went to Las Tarascas based on this review and loved it! So authentic it’s amazing! Tasted delicious!
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 am
As I close my eyes while eating fair of Alfonso’s restaurant, I am transported to Southern Mexico as I savor the authentic taste of that encahnting land of colorful and enterprising people.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
I am so glad you did a spot on these guys. I have been going there for years and love there food. My favorite it the enchiladas verdes. They’re amazing.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Anyone know if there beans and/or rice are vegetarian friendly?
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
josh, what do you mean with vegetarian friendly?? We use soy bean oil that has no trans fats. We cook everything from scratch in our restaurant. We boil our beans and put in some spices and then refry them with the soy bean oil. With the rice, we use only tomatoes and spices. Again, we make our rice from scratch. We have many plates that are vegetarian friendly, including chile relleno, enchiladas verdes, enchiladas rojas, etc. Just tell us that you are vegetarian and we will happily cater to your needs.
Thank you everyone for your comments. We are here to bring you the best, authentic Mexican food that we can. It is our pleasure to serve you.
Sincerely,
Alfonso
October 4th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
My parents and I went to Las Tarrascas yesterday and I too, am still dreaming about there chips and tomatillo green sauce. As a California native, I really missed good Mexican food, and found out about Las Tarrascas from a person at work. The owner came and talked to us at our table and was extremely friendly. The food is more authentic then anything I’ve had in Utah. I had the enchiladas verde, my mom had their new hambre taco, and my dad had their chile relleno. We tried each other’s food and everthing was EXCEPTIONAL. Tucanos has always been my favorite restaurant in Provo but I told my husband today that now Las Tarrascas is too. Don’t miss out on Las Tarrascas, you won’t be disappointed! Thanks for a great dining experience!
October 4th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
We tried Las Tarascas out last night after reading your review. All we can say is we need one in Salt Lake Valley, but it’s worth the drive! Que bueno!
October 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Thanks Alfonso,
Have had a hard time finding good mexican food in SLC area that does not use lard, pork, or chicken stock in their beans, tortillas, and/or rice
I will definitely have to come on down from SLC to give your place a try, all the reviews here can’t be wron.
Thanks again,
.josh.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Went tonight and it’s AMAZING!!! I had the enchiladas verde and my roomate had the chili rellenos and both were SOOOO GOOD! Finally, a good Mexican food place in UC!!! Great service too!
October 8th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Alfonso told me I’d never tried a chile relleno. Having grown up on Mexican food in Texas, I assured him that I had. But I was wrong! Las Tarascas makes the best chile relleno I’ve ever had! They enchilada verde is unbelievable and the taco alambre (not on the menu, but they’ll make it!) is to die for!
Being a Texan, I take Mexican food very seriously! I haven’t had anything this good in YEARS and YEARS! Eating here is a treat! Alfonso is a genius!
Don’t miss it!
November 29th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I think the best thing on the menu are the tacos al pastor. VERY good.
April 1st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Sadly, Las Tarascas has had to close its doors due to a kitchen fire. Alfonso and his staff are using this as an opportunity to move to a more suitable space. You can check up on them at lastarascas.com or, just wait for an update here on YHO. I will keep you posted!
May 25th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Thank you very much Courtney and thank you very much to all the people that supported me all this years. We will try very hard to re-open. I will keep you posted.
Gracias!