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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Police arrest one suspect in carjacking; reward offered for second man ... Frost predicted for Jackson County Friday morning ... Free forage seed available for wildlife grass plots ... Police arrest one suspect in carjacking; reward offered for second man ... Frost predicted for Jackson County Friday morning ... Free forage seed available for wildlife grass plots ... DINING La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 8:00 AM Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 1:08 PM Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 8:00 AM Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 1:08 PM » Social News It doesn't take much to convince me to head to La Tapatia for lunch. The family-owned market with a catering company and a growing restaurant in the back at 125 S. Main St., Phoenix, serves up some of the tastiest tacos, burritos, fajitas and tortas in the Rogue Valley. It also has a small breakfast menu and is open for dinner. It reaped a slew of recommendations from Ashland chefs asked about their favorite dining destinations for a feature in the Daily Tidings during Restaurant Preview Week in February, but you only have to look at the diverse crowds lining up to order at the counter to know that diners of all sorts will find something here. Work crews with orchard mud still on their boots wait next to college athletes, eager families, office workers and, yes, usually a few restaurant professionals. My husband and I stop in fairly regularly. He swears the chili relleno is the best in the valley, and it is practically perfect with delicate batter enrobing a roasted pepper stuffed with melted cheese. It's not greasy, not too eggy and doesn't fall apart like lesser preparations of the dish are prone to do. He usually orders the combo plate that adds an enchilada and beans, rice and a garnish of lettuce, tomato and avocado for $10.99. I love both the burritos and the tacos, choosing tacos for just $1.25 each if I want to sample several types of meat and a burrito for $6.99 if I'm hungry for lots of just one thing. The carnitas, slowly simmered pork, is always excellent stuffed in a burrito, as is birria de res, shredded beef prepared barbecue style. A plate of tacos will let you sample the carnitas, grilled carne asada, marinated chicken, beef tongue (my favorite), roasted al pastor pork and more unusual offerings like rich cheek meat. On my last visit, I tried the fish tacos, priced at two for $5. Served on chewy, fresh corn tortillas slightly larger than those cradling the meat offerings, these tacos featured bits of tilapia sauteed with tomato, onion and a delicate blend of spices, including plenty of oregano. La Tapatia's ceviche — chopped shrimp, tomato, cucumber, onion, chilies and cilantro — is another favorite, and I expected something similar when my husband ordered a shrimp cocktail for $12.99. Instead of cool cucumber, the cocktail paired plump, sweet shrimp, fresh tomato, onion and herbs with warm stock spiked with lime juice. We fished morsels out of the heavy goblet and soaked up the savory liquid with soda crackers that were served on the side. La Tapatia is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Call 541-535-4565 for details or take-out orders. — Anita Burke MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 8:00 AM Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 1:08 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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