The New Orleans Taco Trail Part Three: Sister’s Discount Food And Market

Two weeks ago I was making my way back into New Orleans from a hog farm near Kenner when I spotted a new gas station festooned with signs promoting Mexican food. I’d already had breakfast but the thought of possibly eating a handmade tortilla wheeled me into the parking lot.

Score.

The counter-girl informed me that the tia in the kitchen makes her tortillas from scratch whereupon I immediately ordered a carnitas taco and adjourned to a side-room that serves as a dining area.

Soon enough a taquito ($2) arrives at table and yes the tortilla has just been pressed into being and furthermore it is good. The carnitas could’ve been a bit more tender but had a good flavor amplified by two hot sauces that came with; one a tomatilla with a good salty punch accompanied by a tomato-based red.

Each sauce could’ve used more chile but we are a long way from Mexico and hot food is scarce in these parts.

I quickly plotted a return visit to Cocinita Latina.

Recently I was back out on the farm bright and early and after attending to the pigs I made my way back towards New Orleans with thoughts of a good tortilla filling my vision.

There was a bit of a mix-up when I placed my order and soon enough a big bowl of creamy refried beans covered in molten mozzarella arrived with a thick foil packet of corn tortillas riding shotgun.

The true test of a good Mexican restaurant is that most humble taco, the bean and cheese. If you can take that simple dish and elevate it to noteworthiness then your time in the kitchen is well-spent.

It’s long been said that “there are no good tacos in New Orleans” and while that is largely true, if you’re willing to make the drive out toward the airport on Airline Drive you can find a tiny taqueria making scratch tortillas and using kitchen arts to concoct the best refried beans I’ve found in the region.

Sister’s Discount Food and Market
1805 Airline Dr
Kenner, Louisiana
70062

The New Orleans Taco Trail Part One

The New Orleans Taco Trail Part Two