Mexico taco joint debuts first branch in Chatan

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)

There are many taco joints on Okinawa, but Mexico is arguably one of the most famous. Since its debut in 1977, this joint has been known for serving only one simple menu item: “taco.”

No shells with a special flavor, no burritos or quesadillas are available there. This may not sound appealing to those who would like to spice things up with all kinds of ingredients, but Mexico’s signature food with just taco meat (mixture of beef and chicken), softshell, fresh lettuce and tomato is a textbook example of “When the solution is simple, God is answering.”

There is a perfect balance between each ingredient that survived the test of time. I’m a big fan of their taco, but I hadn’t eaten at Mexico in a while even though it would take me only a five-minute drive from Gate 5 of Camp Foster to go to this joint located in Ginowan City, near Isa Intersection on Route 58. Every time I went, there were already too many customers waiting, most of them were tourists.

After several attempts, I gave up on the idea of eating at the popular joint. A take-out order could have been an alternative, but I also wanted to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the location, which I dug. I once even saw a middle-aged man who I believed to be the owner of the joint playing sanshin, an Okinawan musical instrument with three cords, setting a laid-back mood there.

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)

So, when I heard Mexico opened a branch in Chatan in 2024, its first one ever since its debut 48 years ago, I was very excited.

I had a chance to try this new spot recently when I was working at my office on Camp Foster. It took me just about five minutes to get there.

Fortunately, although there were already several customers there, I was able to secure a seat easily.

The menu list posed at the counter was as simple as it had ever been. It was only tacos and taco rice that were listed along with drinks. Ordering three tacos for 700 yen (approx. $4.62), I went back to my seat. Unlike the branch in Ginowan, whose brown-colored interior looks like an old diner, this new branch has walls in vibrant orange, rendering everything in a warm tone. That sanshin-playing man was not there, but it felt relaxing just the same.

After several minutes of waiting, my tacos were brought to the table.

With one bite, I remembered how much I loved this simple food. The gentle sweetness of taco meat and shredded lettuce, the chewy shells with crispy skin, and the sourness of tomatoes and salsa brought back my memories of the original joint.

Mexico’s taco is a little on the compact side, and its spiciness is rather restrained if compared with those served at some other joints. But when it is coupled with the salsa, it hits the right spot between not too spicy and not too soft.

I like greasy, spicy, or crunchy tacos as well, but this perfectly balanced recipe still felt very special and put me in a happy mood like it did at its other branch.

Mexico (Chatan branch)