La Fuente is occupies a very modest storefront in “old town” Tigard, just set off a ways from Value Village. It’s easy to miss; I’ve driven by it for over a year now without noticing it. It took a recommendation from user Prone to Hyperbole at Portlandfood.org to seek it out.
La Fuente is a proper Mexican restaurant with a full menu.
And the tacos occupy just a subset of the varied offerings.
Things started off in true cantina Mexican fashion with some warm fried tortilla chips and a serviceable tomato salsa (free).
The “tacos mexicanos” — standard taqueria style. The usual litmus test of asada, carnitas, and pastor.
Asada.
Carnitas.
Pastor.
Fully dressed taco.
The table sauces here are mediocre; ExtraMSG at Portlandfood.org pointed out they may very well be the Herdez commercial brand. The tacos themselves were quite good. The pastor is not the best I’ve had, but it was seasoned nicely and was delivered with a nice char. The asada was undercrisped, but well seasoned, and the carnitas was meaty and delicious. The fresh tortillas were soft and pillowy, and reminded me much like the excellent onesTaqueria Sanchez serves just down the road.
This place is worth your time to visit if you’re in the mood for taqueria-style tacos. On the strength of their tacos alone, and considering it’s proximity to my house, it warrants an exploration of its other non-taco offerings as well.
La Fuente
12198 SW Main St
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 639-3653
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July 5th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
CO
huh. I am glad you had a better experience here than I. Or perhaps they have improved mightily since I tried them. On the strength of your review I will try them out. That being said, its not their proximity to my abode that keeps me from going(its probably closer than it is to you…) but rather their proximity to the previously mentioned Taqueria Sanchez. If I am in that ‘hood and looking for some taco-action, which is better? I am pretty sure we all know the answer to that…….
July 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Jill D
I may be totally off, but if it’s the place by the US Bank sort of across from Value Village/RiteAid…then I believe it’s a relative of Sanchez…Lupe Sanchez was all worked up once when we went in there several years ago about one of his employees/relatives taking off with his recipes…(but he kept the real secret to himself!) Apparently they bought that place. But it could be a different place. So I’m just throwing around tidbits of gossip just to be a gossip.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:37 am
extramsg
I’d be interested to know how the birria is if you get a chance to try it.