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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 One plant too many: Medical marijuana grower sentenced to jail ... Man pleads guilty in meth, heroin case ... Talent asphalt plant fined $35,000 ... One plant too many: Medical marijuana grower sentenced to jail ... Man pleads guilty in meth, heroin case ... Talent asphalt plant fined $35,000 ... DINING Authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of Medford Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 15, 2016 at 2:00 AM Posted Jan. 15, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News Service with a smile. That’s the experience I had at El Corazon, located at 137 S. Central Ave., Medford. One afternoon my mom joined me for lunch at the new downtown Mexican restaurant. The door swung open, and the chaos of the lunch rush greeted us. Several customers stood inside the entrance. We perused the menu while we waited to order. The line moved quickly, and the man behind the counter took our order efficiently and with a smile. He tempted us with margaritas; I passed because I had to return to work. When I make a weekend return trip, that’s the first thing I’ll order. I could never decline a weekend margarita with enticing choices such as the Mango margarita — a mixture of silver tequila, Triple Sec, mango mix and a splash of grenadine. With waters in hand, we moved through the labyrinth of customers. We found a table in the adjoining room away from the hustle and bustle of incoming people. The rooms were similarly decorated, in bold hues of gold and turquoise with sunbursts hanging along the back wall. A large window flooded our area with natural light. Wood pallets dotted with twinkle lights lined half of the back wall. We were transported to a lunch café straight out of Mexico. A second man walked back with two entrees, one of which was mine; the other belonged to another customer. We clarified which dish belonged to whom. Our server’s endearing attitude made up for the mix-up with our entrees. The diner next to us suggested using table numbers to track orders. This would smooth out kinks in the service, especially during busy times. Our meals were freshly made and a good size for lunch. I ordered pupusas ($6) — a traditional dish of a thick, handmade corn tortilla filled with cheese or ground pork with an inside consistency similar to refried beans. The tortilla was crispy as I cut into it. As a cheese fanatic, I loved the gooey center of the cheese pupusa, which was melted to perfection. Both fillings could have benefited from extra seasoning. A cabbage slaw and red salsa accompanied my meal. The slaw brought acid and crunch to the dish, which paired well with the pupusas. The salsa had a warm, spicy flavor fitting for winter. My mom ordered skirt steak tacos ($6) with a side salad. The steak was on the well-done side but seasoned to her liking. The side salad was bright and crisp. She also enjoyed the red salsa, adding it to her tacos and salad. Rice and refried beans came with our meals. On a return trip, I’d happily try the spinach enchiladas ($10) filled with sautéed spinach and mushrooms or the Chancho ($15) — Peruvian pork sautéed with yams, tomatoes and red onions in a sofrito sauce. I’ve tried many Mexican restaurants in Medford and in other states. The best food I’ve had is when dishes are crafted with care using fresh, flavorful ingredients. El Corazon follows these practices. The result is fine food in a place that feels like home. I’d return for happy hour or a casual meal in a heartbeat. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to close Friday and Saturday and closed Sunday. Call 541-816-4800 or see www.elcorazonmedford.com . — Rebecca Scott MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 15, 2016 at 2:00 AM » 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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