Shopgirl Recs: La Michoacana Taqueria: A Review!

436 Highway 1 West (near Paul’s Discount)

Iowa City

319-341-TACO

Hours:  Tues-Sun 10-9 

Take-out available

I had always heard such great things about the taco truck, how delicious and authentic the tacos were etc. but I could never make it out there for some reason.  And it turns out I missed it.  The taco truck is no longer.   But it’s not really gone, it’s just been turned into a little restaurant near Paul’s Discount.  Hurray!  A couple of Sundays ago my family and I came out to La Michoacana Taqueria’s to give these tacos a try.

La Michoacana Taqueria translates basically to Michoacan taco restaurant.  Michoacan is a southern state in Mexico, often referred to as the “soul of Mexico”.  So it’s not far off to say the food served here is something like Mexican soul food.  And that’s exactly how I’d describe it.  The menu has expanded some since the taco truck days and is divided into several delicious categories;  tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, tostadas, a small veggie section, nachos, a small kids menu and combination plates which include rice, beans, and tortillas.

 Since it was my first time, I had to have a taco and with the suggestion of the man at the counter I ordered 2 tacos asada (steak) just as they come, in a corn tortilla with cilantro, onion, and a lime on the side.   So simple but so good.   My husband ordered tacos al pastor (marinated pork), and the little one had a cheese quesadilla, which she ate all of (and she doesn’t eat just any quesadilla).  To drink I had a Jarritos mandarin soda, sweet and citrusy  and the perfect compliment to my tacos.  I have to say I feel a little silly having taken so long to come here.  This place is definitely kid friendly, affordable, and a great place to stop for a quick delicious Mexican meal.  They even have a meat market/ Mexican grocer next door where you can buy everything from meat to spices, produce, and Mexican candy and ice cream.  We’ve come here at least twice a week since our first meal and I haven’t been disappointed yet :-)

P.S.  I highly recommend the California burrito, not really authentic but it contains french fries which is a nice little treat.  Also the fajita burrito is good.  

And if you're coming for dinner on the weekend, it can get busy so be prepared for a little wait.

xoxo-Shopgirl Sam

Shopgirl Recs. Hearth: A Review!

Hearth, sister restaurant to 126 and Moonraker's Gastropub, is a cozy little place located above Zephyr copies on East Washington Street. I came here recently with my husband for an early dinner and the food was excellent.   

The space is small and simple with cream and brick walls, a pitch black ceiling and white table cloths with tea lights at every table-- great for a date night or other special occasion..  There's also a room in the back that's open for private parties (we had Revival's Christmas party there one year).  The menu consists of small plates like vegetable samosas with mint coriander chutney, Italian wood-fired pizzas (all of which are fantastic), a few salads, a selection of cheeses and charcuterie (smoked/cured meats), and a nice selection of entrees with dishes ranging from housemade gnocchi to pork vindaloo.  

We came on a Friday and were seated at a nice little table for two.  To drink we had Matildas, Goose Island's quite strong and tasty Belgian style pale ale, although they definitely have a very nice wine selection.  Everything on the menu looked good but also pricey so we left out the small plates and greens and the lovely cheeses and went straight for the entrees.  I had the pork vindaloo en croute; a perfectly spiced, slightly sweet pork stew baked in a buttery pastry crust.  It's incredibly good.  My husband had the Alsatian tart which is baked in their wood burning oven and topped with caramelized onion, bacon, and Gruyere cheese.  Very tasty.  Overall we had a great experience, friendly and attentive service and excellent food.  

The only thing I could have done without was how the noise level rose as the seats filled up.  There isn't much in the room to absorb the sound and towards the end of our meal it was admittedly a little difficult to concentrate on our conversation and not the conversation of the couple next to us.  

But, whatever... go to Hearth, enjoy!  

xoxo-Shopgirl Sam

Open Dinners Mon-Sat

Tues-Thurs: 5pm - 9:30

Fri-Sat: 5pm - 10

Free Wine Pairing Dinner on Mondays 

126 East Washington Street, Iowa City

make a reservation at:

info@onetwentysix.net or call (319) 887-1909