Seventeen years ago, Ray and Patty Anderson decided to open Ogden's Taco Taco -- along with Patty's father and stepmother, Leon and Mara Barroso.
Leon Barroso has since passed away. "He was a great cook and a cool guy," Ray Anderson said of his late father-in-law, who was an actor in more than 300 movies in Mexico before going into the restaurant business.
Mara Barroso now runs her own Mexican restaurant in Layton, which is closer to her home.
The recipes for the Taco Taco menu come from Patty's side of the family -- a long line of devoted cooks originating from Mexico.
Miki Perez, head cook, has been with the Andersons since they opened. Over the years, Ray Anderson said, they have also incorporated recipes from their employees, including some of Perez's.
Each day, the chips are freshly cooked, the salsa is made, and the beans and rice are prepared from scratch. Anderson said they are committed to using the freshest ingredients, and nothing from a can.
Prior to opening a restaurant, Anderson worked as a butcher, so he slices the steaks himself and cooks the pork with the bone in for added flavor.
In addition to their regular menu and a rotating soup of the day, they also serve a popular Menudo and Posole ($6.95/$7.95) on the weekends.
Other favorite entrees include the Chilies Rellenos ($8.25), peppers roasted on-site, stuffed with cheese, smothered in red sauce, served with rice, beans and tortillas; the Swiss Shrimp Enchiladas ($14.75), two corn tortillas filled with shrimp, topped with green sauce, cream and melted cheese; and the Traditional Enchiladas ($7.95), two enchiladas filled with choice of chicken, cheese, steak, tongue or marinated pork.
Some menu items reflect the owners' favorites, such as Leon's Drowned Quesadilla ($6.25), two corn tortillas encasing ham and melted cheese, topped with steaming hot salsa, sour cream and more cheese; or the Tostada Ray ($6.95), a large crispy flour tortilla with beans, sour cream, pork chili verde, lettuce, guacamole and cheese.
For dessert, Anderson said, "We have a fried ice cream that is out of this world." The dish ($6.25) comes with cinnamon, whipped cream and chocolate on top.
Taco Taco
- ADDRESS: 2931 Washington Blvd., Ogden
- HOURS: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays
- PHONE: 801-393-6526