After being shuttered for a year, Expresión Oaxaqueña is back with a fresh new look and the same great food it’s been serving for years. They have an extensive menu of both Oaxacan and standard Mexican dishes, but we strongly suggest the Taco de La Abuela if you happen to stop by around lunchtime. This taco is actually more like a burrito, but the tortilla is handmade and comes with generous servings of their excellent black bean puree, Oaxacan quesillo, creamy guacasalsa, cabbage, and your choice of tender meat. But the tlayudas are where things get interesting. The restaurant’s standard tlayuda comes with a well-seasoned black bean paste, Oaxacan quesillo, and your choice of classic cecina, tasajo, or chorizo. If you happen to be wearing white that day and want to minimize any splattering on your shirt, feel free to order La Quebradita - a folded tlayuda that’s cut into pieces for stress-free consumption. Lastly, the Pizza Oaxaqueña. This tasty tlayuda-like dish has the essence of a classic tlayuda, but with a soft, handmade tortilla base rather than the classic crunchy one we’ve grown to know and love.

photo credit: Jakob Layman