taqueria mercado

favorite mexican restaurant. i love this place. i eat here for lunch 3-4 times a week. the food is fresh, delicious and not just typical midwest processed cheese-spread mexican fare. they use real ingredients, (queso fresco, jalapenos, cilantro, etc..), wonderfully seasoned meats and make their entrees using authentic methods not normally found in this part of the country. their enchiladas are made fromfreshcorn tortillas dipped in sauce before frying and then stuffed withfreshmeats, vegetebles and/or cheese. the result is a soft, warm and delicious entree far different from the stale rolls we have come to expect elsewhere. their large quessadilla makes me happy just thinking about it, a large tortilla as big as a large plate filled with meats, onions and cilantro and light on thefreshmexican cheese, served with rice and beans, it is truly impressive. i could go on and on, taco salad, torta, burrito, tamales, fajitas. all are excellent. most places i go i get stuck in a routine just ordering the same thing every time, here everything is so good i struggle to pick which pleasure to indulge in each day. did i mention the wonderful freshly made salsa, compared to the lightly flavored tomato sauce served at other restaurants in the area, it in itself is enough reason to skip the bland and drive to fairfield for this gem of a restaurant. this is the most glowing recommendation i have ever written for anything and they deserve it.

best food for the dinero. as someone from la i can tell you this is as close to real deal mexican food as you're going to find in a 10 mile radius--and you get a ton of food for your money. i've been going for years--since it jumped in after the gyro joint closed shop. is it perfectly consistent? no--if you want that, go to applebees. what, they don't throw free chips at you? sorry. pay the buck, then get a fajita dinner for $10 and split it with someone. you'll come out way ahead, trust me.
ceviche madefreshevery day. tacos with meat, onions, and cilantro on 2 corn tortillas--just like in ensenada. killer torta's, onfreshrolls made next door at the panaderia. hungry? grab a burrito, and see if you can finish it. i'm telling you, this place is awesome. a little funky, lot's of mexicans in the joint, and great food. if it's your thing, you'll be back often. if not, you're probably out of your comfort zone & used to midwest mexican, and that's cool too. less wait time for me.

great mexican in the northern suburbs. having spent 15 years in chicago i have been spoiled to great ethnic food. i love mexican food and have been so disappointed since i moved to cincinnai two years ago at the lack of authentic good mexican, at least in the northern suburbs. my first two experiences were with el barzon and el rancho grande. over-salted, over-seasoned and all drenched in some type of melted white cheez whiz aka creepy cheese sauce which locals i was with seemed to adore. yuck! where is the skirt steak? where is the melted chihuahua cheese? where are the chilis?

just when i had about given up it was recommended i try taqueria mercado. when i walked in i saw what, to me, is always a good indicator of authentic mexican... the clientele. there were more hispanic people than not so i'm thinking this is a good sign. it's not overly fancy which is fine with me. i'm there for the food. the salsa wasfreshtasting and seasoned with chipotle chilis, something i have not gotten around here. the carne asada in my entree was thick, juicy, seasoned well and not overcooked. prices were reasonable. i've found a keeper.

well it's only taken like 3 years since i first heard about taqueria mercado for me to get there and try it! i've heard it's one of the more authentic and tasty mexican restaurants in town. it took my family coming down from minnesota and staying nearby for me to try it - but it definitely won't be my last trip! i branched out - they had tortas ($5.50!!) on the menu - which i'd heard of but never tried. i got a torta with carnitas - it also came with avocado, beans, lettuce, sour cream and jalapenos. the bread comesfreshfrom their bakery next door. let me just say - best. sandwich. ever. like i seriously will never get anything else (except maybe some cheese dip) - this was sooooo amazing andfreshand just plain freakin delicious!!! larry got the camarones ala plancha (small - $9.49) and while he's not a big fan of mexican - he did like this. (who doesn't like mexican????) aunt marty went for the shrimp fajitas ($10.99) and approved as well. mmmmm avocado! marty didn't want hers so

this is authenic mexican!. after reading polly campbell's review in the cinti enquirer, we took the review & went on a friday night n january.
it's like a mom & pop diner...nothing fancy and it doesn't need to be.
we had to use our smart phones to define some of the menu items.
you pay $1.50 for chips & salsa but it is worth it!!! deish! the guac isfresh& chunky wtit a hit offreshjalapeno at the end.
tacos...corn or flour (we went withfreshcorn) torts with meat of your choice (we did pork), diced onion & loads of cilantro. a litle chunk of lime squeezed over it makes for a fresh, yummy treat!
we ordered a palte for $9.95 of seak with beans (not doubt they are made with lard...oh! so creamy), rice, lettuce, radishes, slices of avocado. again, delish!
it's really cheap but a huge step up from all of the other places who call themselves "authenic".
skip the cocktails...margaritias & mojitos are terrible! stick to bottled beer or a mexcian coke (had with real sugar...no high fructose corn syrup).
service is adequate but friendly.
stop by there bakery 3 doors down. churro with carmel piped it are decadent!

tortillas sofreshand tasty. usually when i get fajitas i never use the tortillas they give you since they are just like the ones you get from the grocery store here they are superb. first off when you get them do not do what i did and pull them apart since i now know they are double layer goodness. i was glad i ordered the diablo shrimp to go with them. this dish provided plenty of tasty spicy sauce to the mix which the tortillas easily soaked up to make them that much better. my only regret is not ordering a second set of tortillas.

we also shared the ceviche but honestly i could barely enjoy it because my dish was so large.

needs attention!. tm's recent expansion is a local success story i love to hear about. i recently visited their downtown location and was pleased on many levels. however, i have held off on writing this short review until i could compare the two locations (there is a 3rd as well). having eaten at the fairfield store several times (and with the exception of the food quality which is surprisingly consistent and of course quite authentic) i truly hope management will address the disparity between the two locales from a cleanliness and service standpoint. i rarely comment on these points but in this case dirty tables, floors and restrooms as well as rather lackluster service (my family was in tow) will keep me from returning to this location for the foreseeable future. cg


-----03 oct, 2009-----

a nod to the authentic!. if your looking for authentic mexican, taqueria mercado is the place to stop if traveling route 4 in and around fairfield, ohio. corporate or "americanized" mexican food is always easy to find and usually not much to write home about. however, with an ever increasing hispanic population moving into the area it is getting easier to find more authentic establishments catering to their fellow expatriates and of course the adventurous gringo.

typically tucked away in nondescript "low-rent" store fronts, what these establishments lack in decor, ambiance and sometimes cleanliness is easily made up for when your order hits the table. on this visit i enjoyed the taco lunch special which comes with a moist and flavorful saffron rice and thick but distinct refried beans. i ordered barbacoa and carnitas as my meat selection (from a wide variety). both tacos were very good accompanied byfreshpico de gallo, cilantro and a sprinkling of cheese. looking forward to my next visit. enjoy!

so good. seriously, this place has somefreshingredients and makes an authentic mexican meal. goat tacos on saturdays. they really aren't that bad. a wonderful guacamole and house salsa. you don't get complimentary chips & salsa like the more americanized mexican restaurants, but don't over do it. you'll want to save room for a killer meal & the awesome baked goods at the mexican bakery a few doors down.