Las Quatro Milpas

On a beautiful fall day that felt more like summer, I went with five other women to see Trolley Dances in San Diego. More about that on another blog. At the end of the morning we headed over to Logan Avenue in Barrio Logan for lunch at the iconic Mexican restaurant, Las Quatro Milpas. It has been around since 1935, and pictures on the walls show the original brothers who started it. It is still a family run restaurant almost 80 years later. Fans of this restaurant start lining up at 11am, and regardless of what time you arrive, you will wait. We arrived on a Saturday at 12:15pm, and waited almost a half hour. I usually don't like to wait, but I figured I would not be back to Barrio Logan anytime soon, and with all these people waiting for food, it must be good. We were enticed by the aroma of fresh hot tortillas. My mouth is watering just remembering the smell. The menu is very limited. Chicken or pork tacos, burritos, tamales, rice, beans and chorizo, and rolled taquitos. That's it. When you finally enter the restaurant, you place your order with a woman at the counter, as several other women cook in the background. Huge vats of lard (I think it was lard) boil on the stove, readying chips for your enjoyment. I ordered a pork taco with everything on it, lettuce, tomato, cheese and salsa. Delcious. The rolled taquitos looked amazing, and I would get them next time. They place three taquitos on a plate, then smother them with shredded lettuce, queso fresca cheese, sour cream and salasa. What a great meal. The tamales were equally delicious, very moist and full of meat. I bought a few to bring home for dinner. Don't forget the handmade flour tortillas, made by two ladies all day long right there in front of you. Order a bowl of beans and get two tortillas with your beans, to sop up the juices from the beans. These are the best flour tortillas I've had since we used to go to Puerto Nueva for lobster and take home fresh homemade tortillas. The restaurant is NOT long on ambience. Just plain rooms, with plain tables and card chairs, that's it. But you won't care. The food is delicious and the whole experience is one to savor and enjoy, just like the food. If you ever go to Barrio Logan, which I recommend you do (go to Chicano Park and Northgate Mercado)

, go to Las Quatro Milpas for lunch. You'll then know why it's been around for 80 years.