Puerto Rico is no stranger to Mexican cuisine. In fact, there are many Mexican restaurants all over the island. But if you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, be sure to head over to Takeria in Condado.
Takeria is a small Mexican restaurant located on 66 Luisa street in Condado, which is about a 5-minute walk from the Condado Lagoon. Roam Puerto Rico interviewed Takeria’s founder, Alejandra Lavalle who was kind enough to give us a tour and fill us in on her story and how she made her idea come to life.
Keep on reading to know why you need to visit Takeria and, of course, what food and drinks should be on top of your mind.
Takeria Highlights
Price: $$
Environment: Casual
Location: 66 Calle Luisa, San Juan
Parking: $5 Valet or street
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Events: Mamacitas Night & Karaoke
Pet-friendly: Yes
Decoration: Instagram-worthy
How Takeria Came To Life
Takeria was an idea that Alejandra had in her mind for a long time. Being Mexican and living in Puerto Rico for over 9 years, Alejandra realized she couldn’t find a Mexican restaurant that maintained its food quality over time. So she decided to take the plunge and start working on Takeria.
Initially, Alejandra financed the project with her savings. After hitting a brick wall and running out of funds, it was time to find a business partner or investor. She reached out to a few friends one of whom, came to visit Alejandra at Takeria’s construction site.
Stephanie Enright, a Puertorican volleyball player who plays in the Italian league, saw Alejandra’s vision first-hand and agreed to help find an investor. A few weeks later, Stephanie, already back in Italy, called Alejandra to ask if she’d be open to partnering. An offer Alejandra did not refuse.
With funding taken care of, Alejandra pushed forward with her idea and officially opened Takeria in January 2020.
The restaurant’s official motto is: Tú ponle pasión y quedará chingón!
Inside Takeria
As you walk into Takeria, you will immediately notice the huge Frida Kahlo mural to the left drawn by Mexican artist Sergio LAJUD, the upside-down Christmas tree on the ceiling, the open bar area with another wall-sized mural made by local artist, Carlos Ayala Barreto.
The restaurant has a trendy, modern feel to it. Spacious with neon signs set in different areas, swing-style seats, and props like the vintage 1957 public telephone under a neon sign that reads “La Puteria” making Takeria a great place to snap an Instagram-worthy picture.
What to Eat in Takeria?
When looking at Takeria’s menu, it can be hard to know what to order, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
Read on to know what to get for appetizers, tacos, margaritas, and dessert.
Appetizer
To start things off, order the Mini Keka Oaxaca, which essentially is a quesadilla with Oaxaca cheese accompanied by a green sauce.
If that isn’t tempting enough and you want something greasy but delicious you can definitely try the “Chicharron con salsa verde” or pork rind with green sauce.
Furthermore, you should also order the Papas Chingonas — french fries with Oaxaca cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, topped with mayo-chipotle sauce.
Margaritas
As for drinks, definitely try Takeria’s Bori-Rita margarita — it’s made of tequila silver, fresh mango, guava juice, and fresh lime juice.
If you want to experience Mexican authenticity, order La Puteria margarita — it is made with Buen Bicho Mezcal, which gives the margarita a smokey touch, kiwi, guava juice, and fresh lime.
Feeling even more adventurous? How does a margarita with a touch of red wine sound? Trust us, you will be surprised by its unique flavor.
This is El Valle, which includes tequila reposado, orange liquor, fresh lime juice, and red wine (of course).
If you try it out, let us know what you think!
Tacos
If you visit a Mexican restaurant and leave without eating at least one taco, did you really go to a Mexican restaurant?
Alejandra thought of everything when building her taco menu. Made from fresh local products, Takeria’s menu has ten different tacos for just about every type of customer — including veggie options. Below is a list of the seven tacos Alejandra considers to be the most enjoyable and ordered by customers:
- Pescao’ – Beer battered grouper with homemade mango relish, cilantro aioli and pico de gallo
- Tuna Wonton (2 tacos) – Fresh tuna poke with wakame, fresh seaweed, avocado, chili, sesame oils, and soy served with wonton tortilla with mango relish and mayo chipotle
- Rajas con crema – Poblano peppers with corn and sour cream
- Carnitas – Carnitas are marinated for 24 hours, tanned onion, garnish cilantro, and habanero on the side
- Al Pastor (most popular) – Pork, white onions, sautee pineapple, and cilantro
- Tinga de Pollo – Chicken tings cooked for 24 hours with fresh cheese and cilantro
- Carne Asada (Alejandra’s favorite) – Skirt steak with guacamole, pico de gallo and chives
*All the tacos are made with corn (blue or white) tortillas except the Pescao’ taco which is made with flour tortilla*
Dessert
If you still have some room left for dessert, you need to try the Churros with vanilla ice cream, coconut flakes, and dulce de leche.
It is the perfect way to top off your authentic Mexican experience.
Looking for something more rooted in Mexican gastronomy? Alejandra gave us insight on what will be Takeria’s newest ice cream flavor: ‘Elote’, which translates corn flavored ice cream.
Summary
Alejandra’s vision was to create a mix of a colorful, urban, street-style Mexican restaurant. Given how people in Mexico would go for a taco after a night out or even for breakfast, she wanted to bring that fast-casual approach to Puerto Rico through Takeria.
According to Alejandra, that concept was lost while creating Takeria. In our opinion, we found it spot-on with what she envisioned.
Be sure to follow Takeria on both their Facebook and Instagram profiles and keep a lookout for their Karaoke night every Wednesday starting at 6 pm.
