El Rayo Taqueria - Portland, Maine - Dining Review

My first visit to El Rayo Taqueria was during the 2009 Old Port Festival (Portland, Maine).  As usual, I heard about this place by word of mouth, the reviews were so great that I simply had to see it for myself.   Turns out El Rayo Taqueria was in its infant stages - open for just over a week - when I finally arrived.  El Rayo Taqueria is a converted gas station, but the size of the building is mis-leading as the dining area is much smaller than expected.  On that Sunday the inside tables and the picnic tables outside were so packed that I ended having to sit out on a park-bench.

Once inside it took me a little while to figure out where to place the order; there were many confused faces and what I thought was the bar was in fact the "everything" order spot.   The menu, hung high above the counter, listed appetizers (ex: smoky potato fritters), soups and salads (fiesta salad), chilaquiles (traditional dishes with red or green chile sauce), nachos, burritos, tacos,  quesadillas, and side dishes; all with just a few great sounding items in their category.

The service was poor, but my expectations were low as they just opened.  However, regardless of how new a restaurant is, there are a few things that will sent me off.  On this visit, the woman taking orders at the counter was busy counting money - it took her 2.5 minutes to acknowledge me.   I was willing to forgive but not forget - hence the mention. I ordered two tacos (carne asada and al pastor) and a lemonad.

It took a while for the food to come out, my eyes brightend when I saw what was before me.  Two, traditional tacos, prepared beautifully. This is the first mexican place I have been to that appears to care about each little taco that leaves the ktichen. Both were assembled with unique and individual attention that made awe and salivate instantly.  Moreover, at first bite I realized that the simple menu and individual attention made a new gem in the Old Port. El Rayo Taqueria was instantly on my hot list.   With out question, El Rayo Taqueria will become a success, I only hope they maintain the level of attention and detail that my food received that day.

As far as price, perhaps $3+ per taco is much, but well worth it.  For me, the words "smothered in cheese" are repulsive and yet seemed unavoidable in Mexican food; but here at El Rayo Taqueria I am able to escape.

I left that day satisfied and looking forward to coming back, after all I have a whole new menu to discover.

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