By Sophie Sands

In February, my grandmother Adrienne Sands, and I visited En Su Boca, a casual-style Mexican restaurant located on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The taqueria and bar, whose name means “in your mouth,” features a short, simple menu with reasonable pricing. The owner, Randy R., describes the food as “Cali-style” Mexican cuisine on their official Yelp page. You can expect to pay between 10 and 20 dollars per person. Entrees and appetizers are all under $20, with tacos priced at $4.50 each. 

En Su Boca features both indoor and heated outdoor seating. The lively atmosphere of the restaurant is evident even from the street. After parking in a nearby lot, we approached the entrance, noting the colorful, graphic designs covering the patio area. It was 8 p.m. on a Thursday night, and the taqueria was packed. Despite the business, we were greeted by a host and seated immediately in the center of the restaurant. Vibrant, abstract designs coated the walls, paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, and the lights were dimmed. Live sports were broadcast from televisions hung over the busy bar.  

Tortilla chips and guacamole.

We started off by ordering the essentials: chips with guacamole, a staple appetizer. The golden-yellow chips, which were $5, arrived to the table alongside a heaping bowl of guacamole. The chips were incredibly crispy and offered a buttery crunch. The guacamole, topped with cilantro and fresh lime, was smooth and refreshing. Although the guac was slightly too salty, the lime provided a welcome citrus taste. The second appetizer we ordered is a personal favorite of mine, grilled street corn, for $9. Corn, which translates to “elote” in Spanish, is a foundation of Mexican cuisine. Modern-day Mexican street corn originates from Mexico City, where corn is a major ingredient for street vendors. When our bowl arrived, I immediately swept it to my end of the table. The grilled corn, off-the-cob, was generously topped with cotija cheese and spices. While eating it, the tangy lime mayo and cheese hits your tongue first, followed by the sweetness of the corn, and then the kick of pequin chile. Both appetizers were simple but well-executed.

For entrees, we ordered four different tacos for $17, and chicken enchiladas for $13. I tried the “southern fried fish,” “slow-roasted carnitas,” “marinated grilled chicken,” and “brussels sprouts” tacos. I also ordered Grapefruit Jarritos, a Mexican soft drink, for $3.50. My grandmother’s tray consisted of three baked enchiladas, topped with lettuce, cheese, and lime crema, as well as a side of dirty rice. For those with dietary restrictions, there are a variety of gluten free and vegetarian options.

Four different kinds of tacos.

I was not impressed by the tacos, which are made with corn tortillas. Expecting to bite into crispy, flavorful fish, I found the fried fish taco to be bland and lacking spice. A decent taco was the grilled chicken taco, which met my expectations. I was excited to try the carnitas taco, which is made of slow-roasted pork shoulder, but it was my least favorite of the tacos. The pork was overpowered by the tomato-based salsa on top, which also ruined the texture for me. The only vegetarian food we ordered was the brussels sprouts taco, made up of crispy brussel sprouts tossed in hot honey. This taco was surprisingly my favorite, and the sweet honey paired well with the earthy brussel sprouts. My grandmother’s experience was similarly mixed. The enchiladas were good, but the dirty rice had the most flavor of her whole plate. “The rice is definitely the best part,” she remarked.

Besides serving Mexican fare, En Su Boca is known for its beverages and cocktails. According to Restaurant Guru, guests enjoy their margaritas, craft beer, and tequila. On Yelp, users have given the restaurant a 3.5 star rating. The owner of En Su Boca also operates a burger joint in Richmond’s Historic Fan District called Beauvine Burger Concept. I am curious in their approach to burgers, which are apparently inspired by the flavors of Virginia, California, and France, and how it compares to En Su Boca. Overall, I would recommend En Su Boca for its reasonable pricing and energizing environment. The appetizers are delicious and fresh, and the service is fair.

All photos by Sophie Sands.