The menu at Fiesta Mexico in Delaware, Ohio. (photo by Toby Boyce/all rights reserved)
Evey time we visit Fiesta Mexico, in downtown Delaware, Ohio, I have to get a taco. However, recently it came with a surprise.
French fries.
Yep, hand-cut fries along with the onion, cilantro, and chorizo. Originally, I thought the folks at Fiesta Mexico were trying to pull a Primantni Brothers Restaurant on me, but upon further review it became obvious that it was authentic Mexican cuisine. “The fries we put in our tacos is an authentic touch,” owner Angelica Cortez recently told me. “Potatoes gives our food a more authentic feeling.”
And authentic is something that I always associate with Cortez’ establishment. The menu features sandwiches — including my favorite one with potatoes, beans, and sausage on a roll — and other meals that you won’t see at the “order by number” Tex-Mex restaurants. When asked her specialty, Cortez paused a moment before saying “the salsa. We make it here fresh.” And you can tell, it is a wonderful collection of flavors that you don’t get from can — even that one from New York or even El Paso.
“I’ve always wanted to create authentic Mexican food,” said Cortez. “But the money was always a challenge. I’d have kids parties at the house and was always being asked about starting another restaurant. But the money was always an obstacle.”
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When Gulla’s Hot Dog stand left the 12 West William Street location – only one block from Sandusky Street across from Hoggy’s – the location was perfect for Cortez to make her dream a realty. And she’s no newcomer to the restaurant world — she owned a Mexican restaurant when she lived in Mexico and has worked at Avesta, Nova, and McDonald’s during her time in Delaware. “I was tired of working for other people,” Cortez commented. “Great to work in Delaware and we love Delaware.”
And we are glad to have her – and her excellent cuisine – in Delaware! Of course, the one thing she is “missing” that most want when they have Mexican – the liquor license – is a work in progress for Cortez. “Customers like to have margaritas,” she said. “Maybe in a couple of months we’ll get it, just don’t have money to do it right now.”
But she is continuing to build her business — even with some unexpected customers. “We’ve had several people come in wondering what happened to Gulla’s,” Cortez commented. “They decide to stay and even before leaving tell us ‘we’ll be back!’.”
Fiesta Mexico is located in downtown Delaware and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.
