#150 – 3131 Chatham St., Richmond

Tel: 604-272-5123

Web: http://www.littlemexicocantina.com/index.html

Twitter: @LMCSteveston

Advice: Reservations suggested.

After almost 20 years, the restaurant changed hands last summer and is now run by passionate owner, Carol Janeczko with Chef Roberto Lopez Lara running the kitchen. The room is brighter, open and the patio is as happening as ever. The focus here is Mexican cuisine with dishes that you may be familiar with and others that may surprise you from regions all over Mexico.

I dined solo having the Tacos Cantineros ($15.95) on the wooden board, 3 very unique tacos including the: Taco Don Pedro topped with Edam cheese chicharron, chorizo sofrito, prawns and braised short ribs glazed with Pedro Ximenez reduction topped with julienned pear; then the Ensenada Stye Fish Taco topped with Red Snapper dusted with Little Mexico seasoning, topped with house dressing, guacamole sauce, white and purple cabbage slaw and pineapple pico de gallo; and the Lobster Cazadores Taco topped with Sautéed lobster, shallots, garlic, thai chile, lime juice, Little Mexico seasoning and Tequila Cazadores Reposado served over a bed of refried black beans topped with papaya, pickled red onions and cilantro served on double 4” corn tortillas. Next I had the Volcanes ($13.95) with corn tortillas topped with Oaxaca cheese, steak, chipotle, guacamole, grilled onions – Delish! For dessert, I had the Vanilla ice cream with house-made caramel cajeta ($3.50) which was sinfully delicious!

You will find a wide assortment of tacos, many other dishes such as the tortas, tostadas, enchiladas, or the chimichangas, salads, desserts along with a kids menu, this is a great spot to take the family.

Review By: Richard Wolak