Toluqueno

This place is a simple, but loveable, Mexican taqueria. Just North of Washington Square Mall, at 10^th and Mitthoeffer. (NE corner.)
This was my first time here. This place has been in business at least two and a half years that I’ve been aware of. I noticed it while filling up at the next-​door Speedway gas station, at least that long ago.
I like these hole-​in-​the-​wall humble authentic places that cater to a Mexican clientele. Opening hours (11 am) are posted on the door, but not the closing hours. I asked when they closed and was told «when there are customers, later, and when there aren’t customers, earlier.»
Menu is very limited, with tacos, tortas (sandwiches), and burritos. The tacos are not tex-​mex american (or Taco Bell) style, but just some meat in a tortilla. The burrito was the «put the toppings and the sides all inside» style.
I was disappointed they didn’t have a chicken option for burritos, but they had 8 other options, including tongue, and brains (cesos). I’d avoid eating cow brains, even well-​cooked, as that is where the BSE (mad cow disease) resides, in the brain and spinal cord. And temperature doesn’t destroy the things that cause BSE, «prions.»
Weekend menu has more items, but the only one I remember is birria (lamb). Good birria is good, and most of the birria that I’ve tried in town is good. So if you’re at a birria-​on-​the-​weekends place, try it some weekend.
You’re probably going to think I’m a little generous in my rating. But something about this place really appealed to me. The clientele included families with little kids. The spirit of the place and staff was just right for me. The cook and waitress were confident, friendly, put-​you-​at-​ease types. So I’m giving them my «Linus’ Sincere Pumpkin Patch Award».
The men’s room was out of «papel higienico» but was clean.
If you like clean, cozy, friendly, little hole-​in-​the-​walls that serve simple authentic Mexican food, you ought to like it.
And they must be doing something right to stay in business this long.