On our Facebook page, Isla Mujeres Food, we often have followers asking, “where can I find an authentic Mexican, mom and pop kind of restaurant”.  Well Taqueria MAFER is the perfect recommendation for these folks. Owners Ricardo and Margarita do all the cooking, serving and delivery along with son Alfredo and daughter Maria.

Their menu allows you to build you own taco, quesadilla or sandwich. As well as choose from a few other delightful options. The ingredients are fresh and cooked to perfection. And it’s super affordable making it of excellent value.

The restaurant is humble. Located in the home of the family in the La Gloria neighborhood. A few tables with vinyl table clothes and plastic stools.  An open kitchen where you can see your food being prepared. Just outside the front door is the Pastor rotisserie which often doesn’t get started till later in the day as it’s a favourite of the late night diners.

When you arrive you’ll be told what’s available that day. On the night we dined in Margarita informed us that she had pastor blanco, chorizo, and chicken.

We order a popular dish called Alambra.  It’s a mixture of chopped grilled meat, bell peppers, and onions, topped with lots of melted cheese. We very much enjoyed the Hawaiian version which also had ham and grilled pineapple.  It was served with a stack of tortillas for making wraps.

We also ordered a quesadilla featuring their white pastor. Prepared in a similar style to regular pastor this version doesn’t have achiote paste or red chillies, instead it is cooked with garlic, white vinegar, cinnamon and pepper, allowing the taste of the meat to really shine through.

Recently I asked Matt, a devoted regular customer at Taqueria MAFER about his favourites. He thinks the taqueria has the most moist Quesabirrias he has had on the island. Typically this is on offer once or twice a week. Owner Richard tells him it sells out fast every time.

He also recommended the battered shrimp tacos, which had me very excited. Unfortunately they weren’t available that evening. So now I have reason for a return visit.

Much of the taqueria’s business is home delivery. The limited tables inside the restaurant were quite full on our visit. Then after dinner, as we were waiting for our taxi, three golf carts full of people on the Cultural Cruisers tour pulling up once again bringing the restaurant to capacity. The tour takes you to the islands best home cooking and taqueria MAFER definitely meets that criteria.

Kath’s quote: “Small kitchen, big heart — that’s our secret ingredient.”– Author unknown

Love never fails.

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