The Brand New Restaurant In Washington That Locals Can't Get Enough Of
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published December 11, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
If you’re a die-hard PNWer, you know Washington’s food is better than good. Evergreen State dining has won nationwide attention— and rightfully so— for its creative flair and emphasis on local ingredients. Grit City Tacoma isn’t immune to this renaissance. It’s become a hotspot for talented chefs flexing their gastronomic skills for a fresh, young customer base. In this environment, Indita Mia debuted, blowing locals away with arguably the best Mexican food in Tacoma.
Tacoma has its share of return-worthy Mexican restaurants, but none approach the cuisine in quite the same way as the team behind Indita Mia. Since opening in 2022, owners Oreb and Angie Apodaca have won the loyalty of die-hard regulars with their uncompromising commitment to Guadalajaran fare.
The Apodacas are familiar with the challenges of running a restaurant in an infamously competitive market. Angie Apodaca's family has been in the business for at least five generations. This collective experience has jumpstarted their eatery, rocketing it to stunning success.
Everything here is fresh and homemade, including the tortillas. If you've never had a tortilla made from scratch, I recommend proceeding with caution. The real thing will ruin all the store-bought stuff for you, and Indita Mia's don't disappoint.
Emblazoned on the custom wood dinnerware is the restaurant's name, a meaningful nod to the Indigenous peoples of Mexico, where indita mia is a term of endearment meaning "mine." This homage reflects the gratitude Oreb and Angie Apodaca feel for their culture.
Indita Mia's fare represents a venerable gastronomic tradition that's all too often flattened and simplified for Western palates. The kitchen's high standards honor culinary predecessors who defined what was possible in Guadalajaran cuisine.
In this sense, Indita Mia is more than a restaurant. It's a tribute. Yet, far from being a nostalgic exercise, I'd be remiss if I didn't emphasize that the food here kicks butt. Dishes are served with confidence and punchy flavor that will keep diners returning, even if they never learn of this Tacoma spot's beautiful story.
For the best Mexican food in Tacoma, I recommend visiting Indita Mia. This local gem warms guests with its spices and story of individual talent and family legacy. Hopefully, it will inspire numerous other restauranteurs to open their own spots, purveying uncompromised takes on heritage cuisines.
If you’re from out of town, plan a weekend to explore blossoming Grit City!
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