Papi's tacos: A new taste on authentic Mexican food

Think you know authentic Mexican fare? Jorge Baralles, chef at Papi's Tacos, will make you think again.

Baralles, who is known as Papi, brings the time-honored recipes straight from his grandmother's kitchen in Cuautla, Mexico, to downtown Greenville with his food truck-themed restaurant, Papi's Tacos.

"I learned how to cook from my grandmother," Baralles says. "She never followed a recipe and used a little of this and a little of that, so I was always watching her. What is different in cooking this way is that there is no book in front of you – it all comes from the heart."

The newest addition to the Table 301 restaurant collection, Papi's Tacos is designed as a taqueria, a quick-order concept with just a few tables inside for dining.

Using only fresh-quality ingredients, Papi's Tacos menu is simple and features options in tortas, tacos, house-made salsas and Mexican beverages.

A must try is the traditional Mexican torta, a sandwich served on a grilled bolillo roll which is stuffed with a choice of steak, pork or chicken, Baralles' signature house-made refried bean spread, fresh tomatoes, onions, lettuce, avocado, queso fresco and jalapeños.

Go for one of the taco varieties served on a soft corn tortilla like the fish taco with fried tilapia with fresh lime and salt, topped with coleslaw, cucumber, onions, and tomatoes.

Or try the popular carnitas pork taco with cilantro and onions. Baralles' son, Jorge Baralles Jr., says the secret to the flavor is in the method of slowly braising the pork – a way that was passed down by his great-grandmother.

Mexican beverages are chilled and summer ready. Try the horchata, a light rice milk with a hint of cinnamon, which is refreshing and sweet ,or the watermelon agua fresca with fresh basil.

Made-from-scratch salsas like the peanut salsa get their kick from a guajillo chili, a type of chili grown in Baralles' hometown in Mexico.

Quell any heat with a selection of 12 flavors of gelato, including Mexican versions of vanilla bean and chocolate.

For more information, visit www.eatpapistacos.com.