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Oh, so you’ve eaten at Chipotle, eh? You like the way they throw some cilantro in with the rice? You like the different salsas with their varying spice levels? Very good. If you ever find yourself in Charlottesvile–heck, if you ever find yourself in the Greater Charlottesville area, do you yourself a favor and stop into La Michocana on East High Street. This is true, authentic Mexican cuisine. It’s a real family joint, run by folks who hail from Michocán in Western Mexico. The food is amazing. Most of it is cooked to order, and they offer a bunch of delicious options. You can walk in there and spend as little as $5, or you can sit, stay and enjoy a feast of house-made corn tortillas, carne asada, marinated chicken, chorizo, pureed pinto beans, guacamole, al pastor, lingua (yes, that’s beef tongue), and so many other delicious options. The “sauce bar” by the counter has tomatillo salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and a pretty hot blend of pickled carrots and onions. Though there is a handful of booths and a few places to sit down outside, the place seats around 40-50 people. I’d never encountered the torta before eating here; it’s essentially a Mexican sandwich with avocado, sour cream, cheese and thinly-sliced marinated meats. It’s pretty quick though, great for takeout. I’d never encountered the torta before eating here; it’s essentially a Mexican sandwich with avocado, sour cream, cheese and thinly-sliced marinated meats. Wash it down with a real Mexicola, a bottle of cold Coke with real cane sugar.
Favorite orders: #1 Tacos al pastor – Mexican style #2 the burrito michoacana