Sometimes a blogger has to take something back. A few posts ago I wrote about how the best Mexican food could only be found 500 miles south of Portland. Well, that was before I stumbled upon La Tarasca in Centralia, Washington. In my defense, I didn’t write anything about what lies north. Now I am.
La Tarasca is a tiny oasis on Main Street in Centralia, tucked among the vacuum repair shops and abandoned storefronts of this tiny farm community. It’s a family-owned and operated business. Based on reviews in Yelp and Trip Advisor, this tiny cantina has attracted fans from up and down the northwest states.
I ordered the carnitas, which were slow-cooked rather than fried and packed with flavor. Peter had the chili verde, which was bright green and tasted like fresh chilies.
Homemade tortillas, people. It’s all I really have to say, but I’ll go further. The beans and rice were perfect cantina style, served on a big hot plate. While La Tarasca does not serve free chips, they do a tangy, spicy verde salsa to pour over your entree or tortillas and pickled carrots that I ate like they were candy. For dessert, we tried the flan. A little too thick for my liking, but the flavors of caramelized sugar and creamy custard were a perfect finish.
There are a couple of other reasons to visit Centralia: Olympic Club (the coolest McMenamins yet), antique shopping, historic murals. If you are inclined, you could make La Tarasca your only reason.
Photo credit: J. Zay
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I guess I will have to look Centralia up! This commenter thought it was in Washington. Thanks for the tip. We need more road food ideas.
Goodness, you’d think I was drunk when I wrote this post. Or not used to writing about Washington.
Centralia, WA, is is my dear. Go north and eat Chili Verde.
Thanks!!!
Well it just sounds delicious. I’m on my way. Perhaps Centralia is a farming town, which was my husband’s suggestion. I wonder if farming towns are inclinded to have good comfort food. It would be a good study. I used to work in a little cafe in Valley Ford, CA, which was a farming town. It prided itself on really good breakfasts and lunches that would support the community’s needs.
I think Centralia is a farming town. Definitely had that cow-field smell to it, which always reminds me of home.
Sounds like a very tasty study to me.