la mexicana

if you are looking for authentic taqueria style tacos, this is the best place in greater cincinnati. with that being said, there are a few downsides.

pluses include the al pastor tacos, which are amazing. not to be missed. the homemade tortillas and salsa are also very good. guacamole is super fresh, asgoodas what i make at home. if you go for these items alone you can't go wrong.

we also tried the flag burrito and the flag enchiladas. i must say that the flag burrito wasa big disappointment. it's made in a similar style to chipotle, with a ton of rice which is am immediate turnoff for me. we found this thing to be be bulky and not especially flavorful. the enchiladas were ok, because of the fresh corn tortillas, but honestly the shredded beef filling left a lot to be desired.

we didn't sample everything on the menu, but so far i'd say go for the tacos, salsa, chips and guacamole. avoid anything with "flag" in the name. can't advise about other things on the menu.

la mexicana is located on monmouth in newport. it has convenient street parking, easy to find.

great tacos, guac.. the guacamole wasgoodand the tacos were tasty.
standard taqueria with above average food.

we're addicted. i'm not going to lie.. a few months ago, my husband and i received a la mexicana gift certificate, or as i like to call it, an enchilada-flavored bait on a hook that we just followed right up onto the shore, no actual hooking required.

look. i'm just going to get right to the point. listen to the other people - it's good. here's what to order:

homemade chips. salsa. and then some more of both. and then, order two orders more on your way out the door. feel a flush of shame as the kitchen staff re-purposes an enormous sour cream container for your many, many ounces of home-bound salsa. get over the shame when you cover every meal in this apparently crack-laced salsa for the next two weeks. it's time to go back to la mexicana when you finally finish off the salsa.

tacos, obviously - my husband is obsessed with the goat. anything with the guajillo sauce is a go. chicken is a little dry.

flag enchiladas - i prefer the ratio here to the ratio in the giant flag burrito, where the awesome meat flavors are too muted vs. the rice and beans

nachos - i never order nachos in a mexican restaurant, except here. because the chips are ridiculous. who serves homemade tortilla chips around here? hardly anybody. they are light, crispy, salty, hot. add your meat of choice and it's an incredible meal.

margarita - not asgoodas mazunte, to me, but really good, nonetheless. embarrass your family and friends and order the large. consider whether you could smuggle it out and raise a goldfish inside.

guac - if you like it chunky and fresh and filled with onions and tomatoes, well,goodon you. paydirt.


give it a pass: gordita, flautas are on the plain side. not bad, but it's an opportunity cost. you could be enjoying so many other amazing things. if you aren't sure, get a variety of tacos and plan to drown in salsa. i already talked about my extensive theory on the flag burrito, but suspect i'm in the minority there.

so there you go. get thee to there. it is so good. and hey, the people are nice, too! check out the store and don't worry if you don't speak espanol. the bemused counter guy is happy to translate. :) word to the wise: when you're in there, however tempting and exciting it may seem, don't buy that styrofoam cup of red chile stuff you dump a beer into. yuck. i guess it sounds as bad as it was when i type out the description, but the package looked really appealing!

best authentic mexican food in greater cincy area! hands down!!! if you don't like it then you've never hadgoodmexican food or you are just too picky for your own good!

wow!. took the family and we all agreed la mexicana is the real deal and our new "go to" mexican restaurant.goodchips and salsa to start. i had a couple of tacos and a tamale - rice and beans ate it all and want more today -cannot wait togo back.

my husband and i had been looking forward to trying this place for a long time. when i received an email for half off a $30 gift certificate i bought it and we headed down to newport. the chips and salsa were prettygoodand the margarita was yummy, but that's all. i ordered the ranchos and husband ordered the chicken enchiladas and a cheese quesadilla. it was the worst cheese quesadilla i have ever had. the tortilla tasted like grease and the rancheros and enchiladas were nothing special. the food was also overpriced. if you're looking forgoodmexican i suggest el jinete in fairfax or los panchos in colerain. i will not eat here again.

new owners. there are new owners and the place a buzzing, the food is back to being reallygoodand authentic, service was great, food was hot and tasty.

great tacos!! try some of the more unusual proteins and you will be pleased. i had the cow brains, tongue, goat, and corn fungus variety. don't be scared, give it a try.goodstuff!!

terrible food and service.. i was really craving mexican and i kept seeinggoodthings about la mexicana. now i know i should've gone to nada and got an appetizer instead.

my burrito was overcooked and burnt. the sausage did not taste like sausage. the waitress was terrible and was more interested in socializing than tending to my table. i didn't receive a check and then finally just went up to pay without one. i wish they would've said that you don't get a check so i didn't have to sit there while she gossiped with her friend.

thegoodthing about the location is its closeness to newport pizza. go there instead.

i'm kinda fat. let's get real. i am prone to overeating from time to time. with that being said, there are few places where i go fat kid like i do when i eat at la mexicana. this place is my graceland. the tacos are sogoodthat i can't stop eating them. i order 4 to start, and then i end up eating a few more, and believe me, 4 is more than enough. and after i throw in some chips and guac, i feel like i could be the subject of one of those tlc weight loss documentaries. if you don't like this place, i don't like you, simple as that.... boom.

great.... very clean friendly place......it's a family restaurant...and lets not talk about the food...talk about authentic.....the flavor they cook fresh...meats ....and if you havent seen the grocery store...check it out...if you need authentic mexican items heres where to get it.......also try takeout.....well manered,goodfood, clean place.....small business their always the one with the best food.....i loved it...

la mexicana. humble surroundings, but reallygoodfood. i've never been to mexico, but i am told the tacos were very authentic. i haven't the courage to try brains or tongue, maybe sometime i'll try the goat tacos, but for now, i tried the guacamoe, the quesadilla with chicken and mushrooms, and it was all good. will go again.

there are plenty of restaurants in town that claim to serve genuine mexican fare, but this little eatery on monmouth street in newport is a magnet for the local hispanic community - always agoodindica