Why: La Center’s dining options have recently expanded to include Mexican cuisine. Owned and operated by the Guitron family, La Casa Tapatia opened May 1 and is nestled between a general store and a dog groomer’s shop on La Center’s main drag. The menu is fairly consistent with its 15 other locations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and offers many combinations of Mexican food as well as a few American dishes. Fajitas, made with a traditional family recipe, are the restaurant’s specialty.
Atmosphere: The space which formerly housed a pizza restaurant and video store has been completely transformed. A small vestibule off Fourth Street welcomes diners into either the family-style restaurant or the bar. Once inside, a wall with arched openings allows a view into both without the feeling of intrusion by either. The restaurant’s seating is mostly high-backed booths, and a few tables are positioned by large street-side windows. Bright colors on the walls and ceiling create a festive feeling.
What I tried: My dining companions and I chose the chicken fajitas with flour tortillas, the Three Taquitos Rancheros, and a combination dinner that included a chicken enchilada, a taco and a chimichanga. Each dinner came with refried beans and Spanish rice. We sampled the deep-fried ice cream and the flan for dessert.
The highlight of our meal was the fajita entree. The chicken, bell peppers, and deliciously caramelized onions arrived on a sizzling iron pan and wafted a sweet aroma. A paprika and citrus flavor took the meat mixture far beyond classic fajita seasoning. The chicken was tender. Pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream arrived on the side.
