Familia Taqueria in Folsom, California

Connoisseurs of good Mexican food know that the best and most authentic is found at hole-in-the wall places with plastic chairs and a homemade menu, not in a fancy place with linen tablecloths or a bell on the roof. There is such a find in Folsom, California, and it is called Familia Taqueria.

Familia Taqueria is located at 97A Natoma Street in Folsom, in the same facility as the City Slickers Sports Bar, across the street from the Folsom City Park. Patrons can walk up to the outside window to order and eat at the picnic tables on the porch, or they can go inside to order and there are a couple of tables inside as well. It is literally in the same room as the sports bar, so bar dwellers often wander over to get a taco or two to enjoy with their drinks.

Authentic and American Mexican Choices on the Menu

Americans love burritos and quesadillas, so it is nearly impossible to have a Mexican restaurant here that does not have them-and Familia Taqueria does them well, with a choice of several meats ranging from lengua (tongue) to asada (steak).

Familia Taqueria also has tacos served the traditional way, with two four-inch corn tortillas, plenty of meat, a few onions and spices. I ordered an asada taco (only $1.75) and a pork tamale ($2) and I was full by the time I ate them and some of the delicious chips and salsa. Of course, that didn't stop me from splitting a cheese quesadilla with Greg! We chose the simple one with just cheese, but there was plenty of it and the quesadilla was grilled, giving it a great crispy texture on the outside to contrast the melty white cheese on the inside. The tamale was tasty, with a creamy-smooth masa.

For two very filling meals and two sodas, it cost $15.50 (it would have been $11.50 without the quesadilla we didn't need but really enjoyed)-rivaling Taco Bell in price, but so much better in taste and quality! However, unlike Taco Bell, Familia Taqueria does not take credit cards-cash only. If you forget, there is an ATM at the convenience store next door.

Bonus: on Tuesdays, tacos are $1! This is an incredible deal.

Great Service

Although Familia Taqueria is not a fancy Mexican restaurant like others in Folsom, the service is very good. They take your order promptly and with a smile, then bring your order out to you and check on you from time to time to make sure everything is OK. The food is cooked up fresh when you order it and brought out right away, so it does not sit under a heat lamp.

When we went to Familia Taqueria, it was the middle of the afternoon-about 2:00, well after the lunch rush, but there were several people sitting outside when we arrived and several more came during the time we were there. With the good food at low prices, it was easy to understand why.

For cheap, delicious and authentic Mexican food in Folsom, California, Familia Taqueria is a great choice.