Although Tony Morales grew up in rural America -- more specifically, on the outskirts of Farmington -- authentic Mexican cuisine was always the staple at his family's dinner table.
Like most youngsters growing up in this area, Morales enjoyed hanging out with friends and playing outside, mostly baseball. The 2010 Farmington High School graduate was a standout for the Cardinals baseball team before earning a scholarship to play for the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville
But, when meal time rolled around, his Mexican heritage came to the forefront.
It may have been as simple as tacos and burritos, or as extravagant as lengua, also known as beef tongue, served with sides of rice and refried beans.
"That's just how we grew up," said Morales of him and his two brothers. "That was just normal to us."
Morales now finds himself on the flip-side, serving those same traditional dishes to customers as the manager of his family's two Springdale restaurants, both named Taqueria Guanajuato.
As a first-generation family from the state of Guanajuato, a region five hours northwest of Mexico City, Morales' parents, Maria and Benigno, were able to recreate the distinct taste of authentic cuisine when they opened their first restaurant at 103 N. Thompson St., nearly 10 years ago. They instantly became successful by capturing the flavors and feelings of their native country in the small building along the roadway, now affectionately referred to as the "Little Mexican Shack."
"People just like that location," Tony Morales said. "It's rinky-dinky small, but it does have a lot of charisma to it, and people just like going there to eat."
A line usually forms inside, especially during lunch hour, a true testament to the food's quality and authenticity.
"We try to offer customers a quality meal and an enjoyable atmosphere, so they will come back," Morales said. "This area is not big enough to rely on new customers every day, so you really try to have repeat customers that keep coming back -- try to provide something that they want to come back for."
The family helped lighten the convergence in January 2015, by opening a second location, just a little north, at 812 N. Thompson St, in Mathias Plaza.
"That location has a lot more room, and more customers are starting to go there, but they still seem to like the smaller place better," he said with a grin.
One of the qualities that Northwest Arkansas is known for is its diverse population. The same can be said about the variety of restaurants.
Springdale is an area in which the Mexican culture is prevalent. Both Taqueria Guanajuato eateries, with their casual settings and authentic Mexican fare, are prime examples of the established Hispanic heritage.
Since Maria Morales was waist high, she was beside her grandmother gathering ingredients and practicing the cooking methods that have been passed down through generations. The recipes used at the Morales' restaurants are the same recipes she has served her family. Everything on the menu, down to the tortilla chips, is made fresh and in-house every day.
The carefully crafted dishes are prepared to order, so special dietary needs can be incorporated into anyone's meal.
Taqueria Guanajuato serves genuine Mexican food with authentic south-of-the-border taste. The food is not Americanized, nor the popularized Tex-Mex style. For many patrons, once they taste the real deal, there is no going back.
The tortillas are rolled and pressed by hand. The sauces, marinades, refried beans, salsa and queso are prepared fresh each day in the restaurant.
Tacos and burritos are popular staples, but the menu at Taqueria Guanajuato also includes tamales, quesadillas, enchiladas, flautas, huarches, gorditas and tortas. Most of the meals range between $5-$7.
Breakfast is also served at both locations. Offerings include ham or chorizo breakfast burritos, eggs with ham, Mexican scrambled eggs with spicy sausage and huevos rancheros. Breakfast plates include rice, beans and a choice of homemade corn or flour tortillas.
The menu items are heavily portioned and affordable. Chips and salsa aren't provided with each meal, but that allows the prices to remain lower.
The menu is displayed in large print on the wall of the restaurants and photos as well as English translations accommodate customers who don't speak or read Spanish.
A wide selection of beverages include beer, fountain soft drinks, bottles of Mexican cola (made with raw sugar instead of corn syrup), Jarritos and horchata. The horchata, a rice-based drink, is offered in flavors of pineapple, melon, strawberry, mango and tamarind. The newer location has a full bar.
Daily specials are offered Monday through Friday. Mondays Huaraches (oval-shaped, dough-like tortillas) are $5. Tuesdays tacos are $1.25. Wednesdays tortas (sandwiches) are $5.25. Thursdays burritos are $5. Fridays sopes (round, thick, dough-like tortillas) are $2.
Taqueria Guanajuato has an open dining area and can be reserved for special occasions and gatherings.
The original location at 103 N. Thompson is open daily, from 8 a.m.-midnight, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 a.m. on Friday. and 8 a.m.-4 a.m. on Saturday. The Mathias Plaza location is open daily, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Tuesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Sunday.
More information and details about the menu are available at taqueriaguanajuato.com or by calling (479) 750-1949.
NAN Dining Guide Spotlight on 10/21/2016