Los Guachos gringa. (David Cooperman’20/Staff)
If you are looking for a place to grab a bite after exams, take a short, mile-long trip down Cherry Bottom Road to Los Guachos, a classic Mexican restaurant, and a central Ohio staple that has been recognized on Yahoo’s “America’s Best Taco Spots.” The restaurant’s famous massive wheel of al-Pastor pork featured in the logo has become a symbol of the establishment.
The expansive menu begins with the signature dish, gringa ($4), which is similar to a taco, with marinated Pork al Pastor, melted cheese, onions, cilantro, and pineapple filling a grilled flour tortilla.
Los Guachos also offers more typical tacos which come with your choice of steak, tripe, chicken, chorizo, beef tongue, or brisket. Meat selections are accompanied by pineapple, onions, and cilantro on corn tortillas. Fish tacos are served with more classic taco toppings such as lettuce and pico de gallo.
Other traditional Mexican dishes include burritos ($8-$10), quesadillas ($3-$5), and tortas, a Mexican sandwich($8-$10). Huaraches, or Mexican pizza slices, ($7-$9), are served on a corn tortilla with refried beans, green salsa, lettuce, cotija cheese, sour cream, and your choice of meat.
The dishes can be enhanced by limes and salsas available at your table that vary from a mild salsa verde to a soy sauce-based condiment with onions and habaneros so fiery that it induces tears in its taste-testers.
Another key positive of Los Guachos is its wide drink selection. Among its specialties is a refreshing piña colada water, hibiscus water, and Jarritos soda, a beloved Mexican favorite available in pineapple, mango, lime, mandarin, tamarind, sangria, and apple flavors.
On Mondays, Al Pastor tacos are 2 for 1, while Wednesdays feature half off gringas. Even if you don’t live near the Gahanna location, there is also a Los Guachos in Northwest Columbus near Ohio State’s campus.
5221 Godown Rd., Columbus, OH 43235
1376 Cherry Bottom Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230
