Bites Nearby: Don Julio Restaurant

Have you ever eaten a real Mexican-style taco?

They don't resemble anything prepared on "taco night" with ground beef, crispy shells, shredded orange cheese and big blobs of sour cream.

Don Julio's Restaurant on Centreville Road serves up real Mexican tacos along with a tasty list of other traditional Mexican and Salvadorean food. 

The local restaurant serves up seven styles of Taco,  but you won't find any filled with ground beef. Fillings include: fried pork, chicken, sausage, grilled beef and a very traditional style, "lengue" - tongue.

Tongue tacos may not sound appealing to some of us but they are a must-try with tender chunks of flavorful beef tongue sprinkled with a little cilantro, chopped tomatoes and onions on a soft corn tortilla.

You can also find a Spanish-style sandwich on the menu called a "torta."  The enormous sandwiches are served with tomato, avocado, onions, chiles and a Mexican string cheese known as "Oaxaca" (wa-hawk-a).

Here are some popular ones:

• Chorizo con Huevo - Mexican Sausage with Egg
• Carne Asada - marinated grilled beef
• Cubana - fried pork, ham, cheese

Owner, and Mr. Don Julio himself, is a Mexican native that has been living in the area for 25 years. He has worked in almost every position in the restaurant business.

"My first job was a dishwasher for Chi-Chi's in the 80s. I have worked cold prep, hot prep, line cook, fry cook; you name it, I've probably worked it!" said Julio.

The restaurant has been opened for three years and serves breakfast as well. Stop by and try their Huevos Rancheros: two fried corn tortillas stuffed with refried beans, lettuce, sour cream, topped with two eggs, jack cheese and Ranchero sauce.

Also enjoy complimentary homemade chips and salsa during your visit.

Don Julio's is located at 9007 Centreville Road.