What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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Taqueria Guanajuato LOCATION: 103 North Thompson Street, Springdale, AR. PHONE: (479) 750-1949 NICE TO KNOW: • Entrees under $10. • No reservations necessary. • Take out available. • Beer served. • Credit cards accepted. • Bike parking. • Children's menu available. "Very friendly staff, and delicious food! This is where you want to come for authentic Mexican food. Great prices and a good sized menu. Did I mention the food is great!" - Amber D., Farmington, AR. Via Yelpz Parental supervision Even after more than a dozen year's experience in the Taqueria business, Tony's parents still stay closely involved. "My parents are here maybe two to three times a week," he laughed. "They keep an eye on me and make sure the salsa turns out right." That kind of quality control is vital, he said. Oh yea, you have to make sure it's consistent," he insisted. "The salsas are what people come for. When you get tacos, you must put salsa on them. We make our own red and green salsa and a habanero salsa is very popular because it's very spicy. If the salsas aren't right the meal won't be as enjoyable. It's a lot of rinse and repeat, but I enjoy it." Open at 8 am daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the taqueria is also open late on weekends for a late night crowd. The long shifts don't bother Tony and his crew. "It's two 12-hour shifts and on the weekend," he said. They are long days. But, once you get into the groove and people start coming in time flies by. On the weekend, you're so busy it's a surprise when it's time to go home." The traditional way Tony, he said, loves the taqueria's diverse customers. They are a fun crowd. "It's people who like going to dance clubs at night… the Mexican club or other clubs around here," he said. "It's Spanish speaking people and you have your night owls who are up late who swing by and have a taco or burrito. It's an interesting crowd, maybe a little rowdy, but they respect the restaurant and other customers. It's still a family place and people still come with their kids, even when it's later at night." Tony knows the secret to taqueria's success is pretty simple. "People are not going to pay for something that's not good," he said. "You have to make it reasonably priced and, if they like it, they will come back." While some dishes are made easily in the home kitchen, Tony said he sees a difference when it's made in a traditional way by a staff who has years of experience. "If you come in once you are going to get a different flavor that you can't get anywhere else," he said. "It's hard to make it at home. At the end of the day it's just nice to get it somewhere else." A Mexican version of shrimp cocktail is a staple on the menu at the Taqueria. NOVEMBER 19-25, 2017 WHAT'S UP! 43