Why it matters: You can never have too many tacos (or quesadillas), but quality matters.
I got one order of birria tacos and one of carne guisada. The birrias were good, but the carne guisada stole the show: it's what your subconscious wants when you have a dream about eating tacos.
The handmade tortillas really hit the spot. The larger-than-expected size was especially handy for the gravy-soaked carne guisada.
Don't sleep on the sides. I had the charro beans, and it was nearly the best thing on the table.
🫘 They had me looking up recipes when I got home and adding pinto beans to next year's garden lineup.
By the numbers: A two-taco meal, which comes with chips, salsa and a side: $11.50-$13.50. My wife ordered a chicken quesadilla meal: $14.50; and the kids quesadilla for the 3-year-old: $6.
Zoom in: Per the website, founders Phil Sandoval and Eduardo Cabanillas named the restaurant after Sandoval's late mother Delores, known as Lola.
Most of their recipes come straight from her kitchen, hence Lola's Cocina. The Jones Valley spot is the first, and the Town Madison location is coming soon.
What we're watching: They play up the breakfast options, so next time I need to run to Target to appease the toddler, I'll try to make an early trip over to Jones Valley.
Also, I really want to try the birria ramen and the Nutella nachos.
