I found a gem -- authentic tacos

Admittedly, I've been quiet lately.. posting less.. lurking less.. but when I find a gem, I just must share..

I love a good taco, the type of taco you find on west coast--not like the tacos we have here. East coast tacos are almost never authentic--but there are a few exceptions, a handful... One is of course Taqueria in Jersey City, which all taco lovers must have already tried and stood in lengthy lines to get a taco in the evening, but there is another choice closer to home, closer to our little community of SOMA, where a taco tastes like it should, soft and tasty tortilla with yummy pork cooked just right, some fresh onions and cilantro, topped with a slice of avocado.

Sprinkle some lime over it and take a bite...... sublime....

But seriously, I've been here two years and NO ONE told me about this place, I feel deprived of taco goodness... enough with the nonsense, the place is Don Juan's in West Orange. Attached is a photo of those yummy tacos. Go and try, you'll thank me later... and no, I have no affiliation with the restaurant whatsoever, I was just very pleasantly surprised

Here is their site if you want exact location, hours, and such: http://www.donjuanwo.com/

PS-that green sauce is HOT so watch out!

My daughter is in love with their tacos! But, but last I asked they only use flour tortillas, not corn...was it a language barrier issue? I would love to try the shrimp tacos or shrimp enchiladas. When I asked if they used corn tortillas I was told only flour.

Both times I've been, I've shared the guacamole and tostones (very mild creamy guac, we liberally douse with hot sauce) and the shrimp nachos, which are like a guilty pleasure

Picante in Springfield also has authentic tacos. $9 for three.

Pricing is comparable, my daughters beef tacos were 3 for $8. It's a steal. Dinner for three last night was about $10 pp and we probably had enough food for 4

+1 for Picante's.

If it's still under the same management then it's owned by a family FROM Mexico, hence the authenticity...

Picante is still owned by the same family; same great food!

This place is not specificall Mexican, it's Central American. And it's a mile from my house.

Wow. Is it new-ish? I pass that corner often and do not remember that being there...

We like the tacos at Cactus Charley about $3 each. And the new place in the Village is awesome.

BTW, those look amazing, @seaweed.

Picante is where it's at for Mexican in this area.

Don Juan is newish and friends report they expect to have a liquor license soon. Woo Hoo!

Can anyone tell me what the beef in the beef tacos is like? I'm hoping to go there for my family birthday dinner, but my picky kids will only eat tacos with ground beef not the steak type beef.

Does Picante have carnitas or beef tongue tacos?

They do. Here's the menu.

https://locu.com/places/picante-the-taste-of-mexico-springfield-township-us/#menu

Go to Taqueria and order the Jalapeño and cheese tamales!

Yup, Picante has lengua tacos and carnitas...

+1 for Picante - its also BYOD/w/a/b the owners are so so nice

Casa Maya in Meyersville has authentic Oaxacan (sp?) Mexican. It sounds far away, but it's on the far border of Chatham -- maybe 15-20 mins from South Orange.

The BBQ beef tacos at Don Juan were fantastic! Guacamole was really delicious too!

After years of complaining about area Mexican food, I just discovered Don Juan's and I concur that it is AWESOME. Much better than Picante and light years ahead of those other allegedly Mexican restaurants. A Godsend for Californian and Texan ex-pats who may be yearning for the real deal.

I'm trying to figure out where this is...is it where Los tapitios was