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Review: Don’t go south of border for authentic Mexican food

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Review: Don’t go south of border for authentic Mexican food

If you enjoy authentic Mexican food, then your taste buds are in for a real treat. Tony Orozco owns and operates Las Chavelas, located in the Sunset Village Shopping Center at Bosanko Avenue and US 95, since 1991. With over 200 items on the menu, Las Chavelas has plenty to choose from. I always enjoy going there and it is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town.

Some of the more popular entrees are Chile relleno, carne asada, enchiladas, tamales and the homemade shredded beef tacos. Many people like that Las Chavelas make the taco shells themselves. There are 17 different carne asada dishes to choose from. Of course, you can’t forget the world’s best chips and salsa. Las Chavelas sets the standard for Mexican food in this area by sticking to simple and authentic ways to prepare the food.

A simple way to tell if a Mexican restaurant is authentic is by the taco shells. If they are fried to perfection in-house, you know the rest is going to be good. Places that offer boxed taco shells are missing the point. Las Chavelas presents exceptional and authentic food. They have a wide variety with almost any Mexican meal your heart could desire.

The Chavelas family is from a town called Tlaltenango in Zacatecas, Mexico. Orozco traveled to the U.S. in 1973 when he was 15 years old. He began his restaurant experience during this time by taking a job at a Mexican eatery in Marina Del Ray, Calif. In 1983, Orozco moved to Spokane, Wash. Five years later he opened his first Mexican restaurant called the Burrito King. After three successful years he was able to open Las Chavelas in Coeur d’Alene.

Orozco also owns and operates Casey’s Place in Spokane, Wash., located at the original location of Burrito King. Casey’s Place specializes in sandwiches, soups, salads, and wraps. Orozco said if you are ever on Sprague Avenue, to stop in and say “hi.” He loves to talk about baseball with customers.

Las Chavelas is also in the catering business. In the summer of 2009, Las Chavelas fed over 1,000 hungry Harley Davidson enthusiasts at the Coeur d’Alene Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Orozco said he credits the success of Las Chavelas to the help of his family, his wife and his four children. Orozco said he makes yearly trips to Mexico to sample local dishes and to ensure he keeps his craft sharp and true to his roots and heritage.

Good food and close communication in any language will always provide. Great Mexican food is no exception.

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