Hispanic eateries are a hot spot for college students. However, many University students are from out of town or out of state and don’t know their local options.
As the state capital, Baton Rouge is a bustling hub with hundreds of restaurants to choose from. But there is only a small group of Hispanic restaurants, and not all of them measure up.
Hispanic refers to all of Central and South America, so there are many different food options that go beyond a taco or quesadillas.
“While there are not many Hispanic food options in Baton Rouge, there really are some hidden gems,” said Gabby Toups, a psychology sophomore.
With the help of this guide, you’ll know just where to go to try some of these hidden gems for yourself.
La Salvadorena
Type: El Salvadorean
Rating: 5/5
Price: $
Breakdown: On the outskirts of campus, right off of Nicholson, sits “La Sal.” This small venue is a hidden gem that serves delicious food at extremely cheap prices. The staff is very friendly and even though the food takes a little while to come out, it is completely worth the wait.
Everything tastes authentic and fresh, the food here is not your normal Tex-Mex. Some of the restaurant’s highlights are the al pastor taco (marinated pork with hints of pineapple), the baleada (thick tortilla filled with cheese, egg, cream, avocado and beans) and their pupusas (filled tortilla). La Sal is definitely one of the best Hispanic eateries to visit in Baton Rouge.
Tio Javi’s
Type: Mexican
Rating: 4/5
Price: $$
Breakdown: Don’t let Tio Javi’s cheesy interior distract you from the food; this is definitely one of the better Mexican options around town.
The restaurant has amazing homemade tortillas made on the spot in the front of the restaurant, and the staff is very welcoming. The food comes out fast and is as authentic as the other places on this list. Be sure to try the chicken quesadilla or tuna tostadas — you won’t regret it.
Zippy’s
Type: Mexican
Rating: 4/5
Price: $
Breakdown: Zippy’s is a University staple, and rightfully so. Located on Perkins, Zippy’s is the typical Tex-Mex eatery every college student needs. With a great atmosphere and covered patio, Zippy’s is a nice, relatively cheap place to eat with friends.
A classic cup of queso with chips is a good choice here, but the pork quesadilla is the true star of the menu. Students also rave about the burritos, and the restaraunt even offers a veggie option for those who don’t eat meat.
Caliente
Type: Mexican
Rating: 3/5
Price: $$
Breakdown: While Caliente is a nice restaurant for birthday dinners or a date, the food leaves much to be desired. The price is not worth the lackluster Mexican food they offer.
The staff is welcoming, food is served relatively quickly and they even include some authentic dishes on the menu. But, the only things I tried that were worth writing home about were the bean dip and mango margarita.
Mestizo
Type: Mexican
Rating: 2/5
Price: $$
Breakdown: Mestizo’s tagline is “Louisiana Mexican Cuisine,” but to many, this restaurant leaves a lot to be desired. Right off of South Acadian Thruway, Mestizo has a nice atmosphere, but the food just doesn’t add up. I tried enchiladas and a quesadilla, and both were not worth the steep price at all. I’ll give Mestizo props for keeping its menu semi-authentic, but I wish the food was as good as it sounded on the menu.
