In hopes of determining the best Mexican restaurant in Athens, we ventured to Taqueria Del Sol for this month’s paper. Located at 334 Prince Avenue, Taqueria Del Sol is a staple restaurant in the Athens community. Originally founded in Atlanta in 2000, Taqueria’s menu blends American and Mexican dishes creating a “cross-cultural” cuisine that is unseen elsewhere.
We made our trip to Taqueria around lunchtime and ordered an assortment of tacos and enchiladas all accompanied by a side of chips and salsa trio. Camp got two enchiladas (one with green chili and one with beef); Kai got two enchiladas (both with cheese and beef) as well as a fried chicken taco, and Athens Academy junior, Will McCleary, got two enchiladas (both with chicken and cheese) as well as a Memphis taco. From our choices in tacos, the Southern influence on a traditional Mexican dish was apparent.
The Memphis Taco consisted of smoked pork covered in barbecue sauce mixed with jalapeno coleslaw all wrapped in a tortilla. The fried chicken taco featured pieces of fried chicken drizzled with a lime-jalapeno mayonnaise coated with lettuce and tomatoes. Both tacos were equally tasteful.
The enchiladas were also similar in their American influence, as they seemed denser and spicier than those of traditional Mexico. Stuffed with cheese and draped in sauce, the enchiladas left a spicy and savory taste on our tongues. Noted by Kelley, we dipped some chips in the excess enchilada sauce after we were done with the tortilla portion. Almost nacho-like, this post-meal snack was delectable.
McCleary appreciated the service and the restaurant as a whole, saying it was “quick and consistent.” Despite having an unorthodox take on Mexican food, Taqueria Del Sol is in the running for the best Mexican restaurant in Athens.
