Authentic Mexican food is hard to find in Baton Rouge, but a drive down Highland Road will lead you right to the new location of Mr. Taco Cantina located at 14111 Airline Highway, Suite 125. Just three months ago, Mr. Taco moved a few doors down to open up a location twice its previous size.
“We have families come in and students come in and even workers in the area come in,” employee Kristen Birchfield said. “A lot of people come in and say ‘Oh I was expecting Taco Bell’ and I’m like ‘No, all of the meat is cooked for 15 hours.’”
While Birchfield has only worked at Mr. Taco for about a month, she said she has seen how the quality of food matters to the customers. She said no place in the area really prepares their food the same way – the women who come in to cook in the morning take pride in the work that they do and it shows in the way the food is served. There is no questioning what will be in the  meat for any meal a customer can order.
Mr. Taco prides itself in its authenticity and for the past few years, people have started to pay attention to what is in the food they are eating. Kitchen manager Derrick Sanchez has worked at the new location since its opening three months ago, and he said it is rare to find a place that takes such care in the meal preparation and quality of the food that is served to customers.
“It’s authentic Mexican food. We cook all our meats in house,” Sanchez said. “We slow cook them for 15 hours and we don’t order anything pre-done. Other places usually order their products pre-done like off of distribution trucks, but here we make everything by hand and from scratch. That’s my favorite thing about working here.”
Not only is the food skillfully prepared, but customers said the atmosphere offers a casual and warm feeling, adding to the overall charm of the restaurant. It’s a great place to enjoy good food and the company of friends and family, especially when they are looking to celebrate a “Taco Tuesday.”
“Lunch every day is our busy time and then we have ‘Taco Tuesday’ all day Tuesday,” Sanchez said. “It’s $9.99 all-you-can-eat tacos. That’s on hard tacos, soft tacos and our authentic street tacos.”

Gallery • 2 Photos

Isabella Allen

Mr. Taco Cantina serves its specialty tacos and a chicken quesadilla on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, at Mr. Taco on 14111 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge.