“My wife started catering tacos all over Ventura County,” Freddie said. The word got out, and soon she was catering her famous tacos at home parties, fiestas and celebrations in parks, even in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
“The tacos have a very good flavor,” he said. “People kept asking about when we were going to open a restaurant.” That popular demand led to the opening of Amigas Taqueria in Santa Paula. “We’ve been here for four months. We have fresh, authentic Mexican food, and we make our food daily.”
Amigas Taqueria is warm and welcoming with fragrant cooking and pleasant décor. Carefully chosen art work, colorful tiles and walls complement the wooden floors, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. “We chose the colors used in many restaurants in Mexico for the right feel. But, of course, the food is number one,” Freddie said. “The restaurant is family oriented, and we serve hamburgers and cheeseburgers, too.” The extensive menu includes Kids’ Specials with bean and cheese burritos and burgers, among other offerings.
“My wife has a special recipe for tamales,” Freddie said. Dora and her friend, Emma Garcia, are experts in the kitchen. Their Northern Mexico-style gorditas, and Dora’s tamales are favorites. “A lot of people compliment our food,” said Freddy. “Customers come from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to enjoy the homemade flavors of Mexico.” For many, the meals bring back warm memories of their own mothers’ “homemade good” cooking.
In addition to soft drinks and coffee, the restaurant even features authentic Mexican drinks. “We have the Jamaica drink, and fresh Horchata from rice. Horchata has a cinnamon flavor, and customers can enjoy aguas frescas, as well.
“I grew up in Santa Paula,” he said. “I went to Grace Thille, Barbara Webster, Isbell and Santa Paula High School. I played Little League and Pop Warner Football. Now you can get a little taste of Mexico in Santa Paula. We have reasonable prices, and this is a good spot to visit on Cruise Night.”
The restaurant’s extensive menu provides both a history and an invitation: “We hope to please and bring back a homemade feeling of food, brought to you from its origin, Mexico. We have lived in Santa Paula most of our lives and hope to bring back Mexico’s famous flavors. Hope to see you soon. Come and try Mexico’s real authentic food.”
Amigas Taqueria is located at 925 E. Main Street in Santa Paula, at the end of the arcade walkway, near the City Parking Lot. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11 am until 8 pm, and Saturdays feature fresh menudo, and menudo with pata, from 8 am until 11 am and lunch from 11 am until 8 pm. The restaurant’s website is www.amigastaqueria.com.
