The Unassuming Town In Northern California That Has The Best Mexican Food Ever
By Lysa Allman-Baldwin|Published July 12, 2022
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Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Author
For over 25 years Lysa Allman-Baldwin has fed her wanderlust for “everything the world has to offer” by passionately writing travel and feature articles for numerous global print and online publications. A Digital Nomad, Lysa is also a professional speaker, workshop facilitator, and author.
There’s a saying that goes like this: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” And that can be said for both the Northern California town of Eureka, and for its well-known restaurant, Esmeralda’s 2.0. Both may seem unassuming from the outside, but once you get there what awaits you is nothing short of amazing!
Located in Eureka for over a decade, Esmeralda’s 2.0 serves up the best Mexican food in the region.
The menu here is an homage to the city of Oaxaca, the culinary capital of México. The proprietors use only the freshest ingredients in everything they make here, all of which are authentic and downright scrumptious.
Their claim to fame is their $1 tacos. Although cheap in price, they are rich in flavor.
Served on handmade gluten-free tortillas, these fantastic handheld treats can be made with chicken chile verde, adobada (pork marinated in a "red" chili sauce), grilled vegetables, or carnitas. According to the proprietors, "We promise that each taco you order is worth all 100 pennies."
"Birria" refers to a traditional Mexican cooking style, encompassing cooked beef which is then folded into a tortilla and mixed with melted cheese. Oh man!
Folks from all over the Eureka and Humboldt County region come to Esmeralda’s 2.0 again and again where the food is outstanding, and they are treated like family. The restaurant is not just a mainstay, it’s one of the best Mexican restaurants in Northern California.
Have you dined at Esmeralda’s 2.0? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there.