Asheville’s Taco Scene Resurges with Community Spirit After Hurricane Helene

Asheville’s Taco Scene Thrives After Hurricane Helene

Asheville, North Carolina, has always been known for its vibrant food scene, but the recent reopening of several local taco spots after Hurricane Helene has brought an added wave of excitement. If you ask any local about where to grab a tasty taco or a hearty burrito, you’ll likely be met with not just one or two but an entire list of must-try places. It’s amazing how food can bring a community together, especially after tough times.

Fans Rally for Their Favorites

The passionate discussions on social media, particularly the Asheville Foodies Facebook group, reveal just how much locals care about their favorite eateries. One post that caught attention came from Catherine Wright, who excitedly recommended El Mercadito, a stationary food truck located at 1101 Brevard Road. According to Wright, everything at El Mercadito is made from scratch, giving each dish a personal touch that feels like “homemade voodoo magic.” She couldn’t stop raving about their diverse selection of tacos, particularly the cabeza (pork cheek), pastor (pork shoulder), pollo (chicken), and carne asada (beef).

Other popular spots include Mamacita’s Taqueria downtown, known for its “amazing” carnitas tacos, and Taqueria Fast in Woodfin, which is celebrated for having the best fish tacos in town. Over in Mills River, taco lovers can’t get enough of La Rancherita Taqueria Mexicana, famed for its outstanding quesabirria.

The Road to Recovery

While many places have bounced back, some restaurants are still working hard to rise from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. One of these is El Chapala Mexican Restaurant located in Biltmore Village. This beloved establishment, run by the Palomera family for nearly two decades, has always offered a delightful mix of Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine. The menu includes favorites like enchiladas verdes and mojarra, a whole fried fish that many locals cherish.

Denise Palomera, the daughter of owners Saul Palomera and Juanita Ramirez, shared how hurricane flooding caused substantial damage to their restaurant. “We never imagined that the restaurant would get about 4 feet of water,” Palomera recalled. Their handmade booths and tables, crafted from beautiful ceramic tiles from Mexico, were ruined, leaving the family feeling disheartened. “To see that kind of damage is super discouraging,” she admitted.

A Community United

Despite the challenges, the Palomera family didn’t let the despair weigh them down for long. Instead, they rolled up their sleeves and began helping other local business owners to dig out after the storm. They found strength in their community, which rallied around them with support. Hallie Shinn, a devoted customer, went above and beyond to draw attention to El Chapala’s situation and even helped them acquire free tables from another restaurant.

For patrons like Durant Long, a college student who has grown fond of El Chapala, the atmosphere feels like a “home away from home.” From studying in the cozy booths to indulging in classic dishes like chicken mole, Long emphasized how crucial it is for the restaurant to reopen and serve their loyal customers again. The endless chips and in-house salsa bar keep them coming back for more!

Facing New Realities

As the Palomera family prepares to reopen their doors, they can’t help but think about the impact of the missing clientele. Many locals who once frequented the restaurant, including hotel staff and construction workers, may be lost for good, a reality that adds to the emotional weight of their situation. “It is really difficult not having those same dishes, not having the same people,” Palomera expressed, acknowledging the deep-rooted connections that have been changed by the hurricane.

The Palomera family has played a significant role in Asheville’s Latino culinary community for years, serving authentic dishes in a city that increasingly embraces international flavors. While the road to recovery might be long, they remain hopeful that the reopening of their restaurant will serve as a reminder of resilience and unity in Asheville’s diverse food scene.

For now, while El Chapala continues its journey toward reopening, the Palomeras focus on their other venture, Tienda Doña Juanita, which reopened just a week after the storm. The income from the store and donations to their GoFundMe campaign are vital for supporting their family and staff during this challenging time.

As Asheville bounces back with delicious tacos and heartfelt community support, one thing is clear: good food and great company will always triumph over adversity.