Native Foods Cafe

Native Foods Cafe 2453 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782 (714) 259-0400 Listing on Local.com Listing on Google Places Official Site

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Now this isn't a Mexican restaurant but part of my self-assigned job here at the blog is to tell people about Mexican food that exists in places they wouldn't expect and Native Foods Cafe has at least seven different Mexican dishes. This is also a vegetarian, oops, I mean vegan restaurant, but don't be turned off; as a meat-eater myself (although not the most carnivorous person ever) who tries to work vegan/vegetarian options into my diet from time to time I can tell you this place is worth a try. The only one of their dishes that seemed a little too vegan was their fajita platter (can they find a substitute for this dish's meat substitute?). I shouldn't complain since I've always been rather neutral on fajitas anyways.

Pancho's Quesa-villa

Taco platter

Ensalada Azteca

My favorite out of all the ones I tried (yes, I made seven visits for this entry) was the Ensalada Azteca ("Fresh avocado, cucumber and jicama salsa atop organic quinoa, romaine and Chef Tanya's award winning mango lime vinaigrette. Topped with currants, toasted pumpkin seeds and cilantro."). They also have other items like the "Pancho's Quesa-villa" and "En-Cha-Cha-lada Bowl." Those are admittedly silly names for a dish but they make up for it by calling their self-serve salsa "Chupacabra Hot Sauce," after the mythical (or is it?) Mexican beast that sucks blood from goats.

En-Cha-Cha-lada Bowl

Chimichurri fajita platter

The ingredients were always very fresh (some meat-loving places could take a cue from them) and service was always very friendly with employees re-filling your drinks and bringing you anything you need. Also pay attention to their daily and seasonal menus. One time I had their soup of the day, which was a yam-jalapeño soup that went great with my taco salad.

Yo Amigo Taco Salad

Nuevo Native Nachos