Taqueria San Julian

Collier County has been experiencing creative growth recently and one street that is benefitting from that creativity is Bayshore.
Located in East Naples, this road is full of inspiring surprises.

There are avante gard galleries, ethnic grocery stores that sell unique items and spicy foods over the counter and several restaurants that are offering delicacies that aren't really found in other parts of the county, at least in the way of flavor.

One of those restaurants is Taqueria San Julian located at 3575 Bayshore Drive, a restaurant that you might miss while traveling the road unless you are a local due to the restaurants unassuming exterior.

Don't let that persuade you to keep on driving. This taqueria is inviting the moment you open the door where you are immediately greeted by the aroma of traditional Mexican cooking and music.

“The restaurant is named after the city San Julian, Mexico, a place where the taqueria's are really well known,’’ said Alberto Alcala, one of the managers. “We create our food the way the city does. It's just like walking down the street in San Julian, our food is much like that, really traditional."

It's a seat-yourself establishment and English is an option. If you want to try out your Spanish, this would be the place, although the waitresses and staff do speak English.

The menu is handwritten and can be found on the wall next to the kitchen. This menu is limited but offers the very best in Mexican dishes such as Tostadas De Camaron (shrimp tostadas) at $2.50 each, Sabados Y Domingos Menudo (tripe soup) at $6 a serving and Tostadas De Ceviche (snapper cooked in lime) at $2.50.There are also the more commonly known dishes such as the chicken tostadas and of course, tacos. For the price, several chicken tostadas, quesadillas ($2.50) and soft tacos($1.50) all add up to very little when you are on a budget and want something moist and delicious. The dishes come in a variety of meats such as suadero (beef), longaniza (sausage), lengua (tongue) and pollo (chicken).

Generally served with a topping of fresh peeled avocado, the chicken tostada is a tasty blend of spices and shredded chicken that gets a real zesty boost from the limes that are placed neatly on the side. Most of the quesadillas are also served with limes and are just as moist and fragrant. The spices are all created to blend and are not over powered by any one certain spice. You can also ask for extra cilantro if you'd like.  There are an array of sauces that are placed on each table, but are rarely used because of the existing flavor of the meats that are always generously provided.

Another note of interest with the restaurant is that if you would like utensils you will need to ask for them. The staff is very accommodating to your needs and always friendly. Besides the modestly priced food, the real charm of the restaurant is its ambience generated by the families that frequent the taqueria.  Almost always you will find families gathering at tables while enjoying the company of family, food  and friends.

Taqueria San Julian does not offer the extras that other Mexican eateries offer such as the bowls of chips and salsa. This actually is a welcome change because there is little opportunity to ruin your appetite on such extras. You'll want all your appetite focused on the authentic flavor of the existing menu. Condiments are also something that you will need to request if you need it such as sour cream.

There is beer and many Mexican sodas to choose from. The sodas are served cold in the bottles, there are no glasses with ice, just the bottles. If you want agua (water) you will need to ask, it also is bottled.

For the price and its distinctive charm, Taqueria San Julian is a place that is recommended if you are looking for something less chain-like and that offers a cultural experience in both food and atmosphere.  There is a Taqueria San Julian's in Fort Myers, LaBelle, Bonita Springs and Naples but all restaurants are kept traditional and offer their own unique atmosphere.

Hours at the Naples location are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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