EDUARDO'S LOKOS TACOS

9/14/2015

New restaurants take time to build a following. Occasionally, one starts with a driving force.

Tavares' newest restaurant, Eduardo's Lokos Tacos, opened earlier this month after one year pleasing patrons out of a popular food truck in Mount Dora at the intersection of US 441 and Wolf Branch Road.

The food truck, frequented by locals for its fresh, authentically Mexican tacos, became such a hit that Eduardo Cendejas and his family took the big leap to a open full service restaurant. Eduardo manages the front of the house, while his parents and brother whip up specialties in the kitchen.

The bright, festive and spacious interior provides a full bar and diverse Mexican menu for lunch and dinner. Guests can order appetizers, soups, entrees and combination dinners or items a la carte.

The traditional tacos are made exactly as they should be with fresh cilantro, onions and your choice of meat with fresh lime wedges on the side to squeeze for balance. Diners can choose from corn, flour or a homemade combination of the two types of tortillas, but we recommend the corn. The quesadillas and chili rellenos (fresh poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, dipped in an egg white batter then quickly fried) were delicious and reminiscent of my grandmother's.

The side dishes didn't disappoint either. The homemade, re-fried beans were old-school with a hint of pork flavor and sprinkled with queso fresco. This very traditional style of beans is difficult to find unless you're sitting in an abuela's kitchen.

Finally, the requisite margaritas. Yes, plural and on the rock with salt, please. They were fresh, light and not overly sweet, Apparently, they are a staple on their happy hour line-up, so we'll see you there!

Address: 226 W. Alfred Street, downtown Tavares (in the former location of Pico de Gallo)