Authentic Mexican Food at Buena Vista

We were pleasantly surprised to find that an authentic Mexican restaurant had opened recently in East Whiteland. On the night of our visit, the chef-owner’s brother brought us menus after we seated ourselves at one of the dark brown tables in the clean, bright room. Brown brick and terra cotta walls were tastefully decorated with paintings and a metal hanging. A television in the corner was tuned to a soccer game from Mexico.

We recognized some of our favorite dishes listed on the menu and placed our order for appetizers while we decided on the main course. We helped ourselves to a bottle of water from the cooler by the counter.

Freshly made guacamole ($5.25) was served in a molcajete-style dish with tortilla chips. We detected additional richness from sour cream and more salt than we like, but the fresh cilantro, lime, onion and chunks of avocado were good. The chips had the crunchy texture of those made in-house.

A Coctel de Camaron ($8.50) was served in two white ceramic bowls so we could more easily share it. The shrimp had a wonderful, plump texture — not stringy or chewy from overcooking. The slightly sweet tomato sauce had a sneaky heat that surfaced after a few bites. Fresh avocado, tomato, onion and cilantro balanced this “Mexican shrimp cocktail.”

We opened our wine and poured it into the inexpensive glass we usually bring while enjoying the appetizers. We placed our order for the next course as we finished the first. Our server politely asked if we knew what the special “Tripe Tacos” were, and we assured him that we have tried tripe before. We asked for an entrée recommendation and took his suggestion.

A plate of Pollo (Chicken) and Tripe Tacos ($2.50 each) brought two layers of soft corn tortillas filled with chopped onion, cilantro and meat, with lime slices on the side. The tripe was lightly fried and quite tender. The marinated chicken breast was also juicy. A small dish of intensely flavored red sauce added a smoky dimension to the tacos. Our server told us it was a homemade sauce from a secret recipe. We guessed that it contained coffee, but he told us the roasted flavor came from red peppers.

A Chicken Quesadilla ($3.50) was a delightful blend of mild melted cheese and chicken in a crisp grilled tortilla with lettuce, tomato and sour cream on the side.

Our Puntas con Noplaes ($11) entrée was larger than we expected. Tender strips of marinated steak were sautéed in a chipotle sauce with onions, peppers and cactus strips topped with melted cheese. A pyramid of Mexican rice, a pool of mashed black beans and a covered dish of warm tortillas to soak up the thick sauce completed the platter. The cheese and red sauce in this hearty entrée made it too rich for our taste.

We asked if they had our favorite Mexican sandwich — a gordita — but they explained that it took a lot of attention to make it properly, and they didn’t yet have the cooking staff to handle it. Our server suggested a Sope ($2.50), which was the perfect ending to our meal. A crunchy fried corn base was topped with black beans, marinated chicken breast strips, lettuce, tomato, tomatillo sauce and queso fresco. We described it as an open-faced gordita, which made our server smile.

Buena Vista

365 Lancaster Ave., East Whiteland

Telephone: 610-644-3982

Hours: Mon - Thurs, 11:30 a.m.– 8 p.m.; Fri, Sat, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.; closed Sun

Cost: Appetizers, soups, $3 to $8.50; tacos, tortas, $2.50 - $7; entrees, $8 - $13

Credit cards: VISA, Mastercard

Alcohol: B.Y.O.

Special Features: Authentic Mexican food, vegetarian options