When I first moved to the bluegrass a year ago I found a terrific Mexican restauarant in Versailles outside of Lexington. Ownership has changed and it is now owned by a Cuban who makes a mean cuban sandwich. Mexican food has suffered as a consequence.
I met a guy from the D.F. recently who told me to go to San Pancho. In a rundown strip mall anchored by a Family Dollar store it has around 15 tables and immediately shows signs of being authentic. I was the only gringo present and could barely hear the waitress over the jukebox blasting away. The small menu consists of only tacos, burritos and guisados. I had two carne asada, one carnitas and one al pastor. They were served on incredible corn tortillas roughly silver dollar pancake size(obviously not same thickness). I askesd the waitress if they were made in house but she said no and wasn't aware of where they were from. I spied open bags of tortillas in the kitchen but did not ask the cook where they were from. Most of the imported Mexican goods in Lex appear to be from Chicagop distributors so I would bet that the tortillas were made there as well. Awfully fresh though.
I would rank these as some of the best tacos I have ever eaten and I don't believe that this is a reflection on my absence from Chicago taquerías. These were simply damn good tacos. Interestingly, the guy who reccommended the place isn't a big fan, as the owners are from Aguascalientes and he is from el D.F. I had simply asked him where one could find a Mexican place that actually had a Mexican clientele. Fortunately for me. his Aguascalientes bias did not preclude him from steering me toward San Pancho.
I will return soon and try to figure out this whole picture posting thing.
Provecho,
Thomas D.
P.S. 9 tacos (I wasn't alone) and a coke: $14.50