I love Mexican food. Wait - let me amend that. I love Good, Authentic Mexican food. And recently we discovered not one, but TWO great places in the Dayton, Ohio area. Take a look..

Taqueria Mixteca

Taqueria Mixteca hits all the lists for great Mexican in the area; in fact, you can't google Best Mexican in Dayton without getting this, on many, many lists, all with 5 star ratings. I'd wanted to go there for a while, and we recently went. I just have to say, in years of heading down there to visit my MIL, I've robbed myself of some excellent food. It is, by far, an extraordinary dining experience. Located in downtown Dayton (well, west a few blocks), in an unassuming tan building, is a motherload of Mexican food goodness.

Enter, and you'll be surprised by the crowd (happy diners) and the art (lovely paintings). You'll start off with a basket of chips and a bowl of salsa, while you peruse the menu. There's SO MUCH to choose from! Never fear - anything you order will be great.

Get the guacamole - it's amazing!

Fresh, homemade Mexican takes a little time - you will definitely finish that basket of chips before your meal shows up. The good news? It's worth the wait. Highly recommended.

Lunch and Dinner Menus:

Taqueria Mixteca
http://taqueriamixteca.com/

Phone (937) 258-2654
Hours 10am - 9pm
Dayton 1609 E. 3rd Street
Trotwood 2190 Shiloh Springs Road

El Sombrero

Then, one time when we were headed home, Taqueria Mixteca was (gasp!) unexpectedly closed. We'd been jonesing for authentic Mexican, and out came the urbanspoon app. We were already on the northern outskirts of Dayton, and hungry. Luckily, we found El Sombrero, located in Troy, just north of Dayton. Located in a weathered cream and purple building, we weren't sure what we'd get. You know what? We should know by now - the more less flashy the outside, the better the food.

Started in 1995 by owner Ruben Pelayo, el Sombrero offers delicious food, the best rice and beans, and scrumptious chips & salsa. The portions were large, and we were sated for the rest of the very long drive home. In fact, we'd started eating before I remembered to take photos.

The interior is beautifully decorated. There is a second location up the road in Piqua. Another great recommendation!

Lunch and Dinner Menus:

El Sombrero
http://www.elsombrerotroy.com/
1700 North County Road 25A
TROY, OHIO 45373
Phone: (937) 339-2100

All photos courtesy and copyright Jessie Voigts