Taqueria Mixteca — Restaurant in Dayton

While there are an unlimited amount of places to get Mexican food in the Miami valley area, none of them hold a candle to Taqueria Mixteca. Sit with me a moment, and I'll explain why. My fiancée and I have been coming here since we first started dating (almost six years now). Being an avid fan of Mexican food, I've eaten at the majority of chain stores, drive thru taco joints, and food trucks in the area. When I tell you that none of them hold a candle to Mixteca, know that I mean it. Let's do the breakdown:

Food: Upon sitting down, you'll be treated to a basket of warm nachos with a side of salsa. I highly recommend getting a side of their guacamole (live a little and get the large size). Personally, I typically order either tacos or a chimichanga. Either option can be customized with whatever meat you're hankering after. With options varying from run of the mill meats like beef and chicken to shrimp and fish (they even have lengua as a staple option and cabra (goat) on the weekends), you'll find something that suits your choice. My fiancée, on the other hand, is a fan of the enchiladas verdes with either chicken or goat. In all the years that we've been eating there, the food at Mixteca has always been incredibly flavorful, warm, and generously portioned. Truth be told, this is the best, most authentic, Mexican food I've had outside of Mexico itself.

Let's talk about the service: The staff at Mixteca do their job incredibly well. From the moment you walk through the door, you're greeted and treated with respect. Your server will meet you at the table with a heaping basket of nachos, and will take your drink order before you can get your silverware unwrapped. Personally, I think that's fantastic. Soon after, they'll take your order and have it out. I've never been there and had to wait on service of any type. Refills are always quick (usually before I realize that I need one), and any issues are handled with incredible speed and care. Truthfully, the staff here does their job impeccably well.

Right, let's talk about the atmosphere: While most Mexican restaurants will have blaring music, TVs every three feet, a mariachi band playing in the front door, or some kind of fire show going on, Mixteca is all about good service and great food. When you enter, you won't be bombarded with flashing lights, a fire breathing bartender, a margarita waterfall, or a guy in a sombrero rehashing Gipsy Kings classics. What you'll get in exchange is the chance to talk with your friends and have some incredible food. It's exactly how a normal, everyday, eatery is in Mexico. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Mixteca's bathroom is outside of the dining area (you have to get a key and walk outside, around the corner). In addition, they don't sell alcohol at the restaurant, but gladly allow BYOB. Neither of these have ever hindered me, nor have they diminished any experience I've ever had there.

So, all in all, I give Mixteca an overwhelming 5 stars across the board. I will, absolutely, be eating there again...most likely in the next week or two....

The attitudes of the younger staff is appalling. There’s a girl there with tattoos(server) very very rude mean attitude and disposition .. there’s also another younger girl (cashier) she’s a tad better but also rude demeanor, the owner is pretty much the same as the two younger girls. The rest of the staff is great! The two older women that work there, very polite and welcoming! The food is pretty decent too, my only complaint is the general disposition and attitude of a few people there it’s very unwelcoming… maybe it’s toward certain people only? Idk but that may explain why their window just got broken, and if I’m not mistaken it’s happened before to them. Some of the people there are very mean to others, and mean to paying customers.

Edit if you look at the replies from the owner pertaining to customers unpleasant experiences he only affirms this with his responses.. he’s trying to justify the rude behavior of himself and his staff.. I’ve never once been rude to anyone there I generally order carry out because I don’t want to deal with him or the two girls I mentioned but I notice their demeanor in just handling my order simply order taking and taking my money and the way they talk to you is cringy..there’s several other complaints about the staff and then being rude… this isn’t isolated and I don’t think everyone complaining of being mistreated by them has done something to “deserve” it.. the people I’ve mentioned are just mean and angry 95% of the time. I give credit where it’s due.. there’s two older ladies there that are simply fantastic, genuine and caring, very pleasant to interact with, even the cook has a good demeanor and is smiling most of the time.. the owner and the two younger girls really need an attitude adjustment. They are just unpleasant. They ruin the entire experience.. and why are the locals targeting your establishment? Nobody broke in and robbed you ,your window...

To start this off, I really hate having to leave negative reviews on local businesses but given what just happened, I can't in good conscious recommend people eat here, at least ordering to go. And to be fair, the food is really good and this wouldn't be an issue for anyone dining in. They package their salsa in little sealed plastic packets, kind of like the hot sauce you'd get at Taco Bell or something like that. The key difference here is that their salsa seems to be freshly made without preservatives, which usually I'd love but since it's packaged in these little airtight packets, it's a perfect environment for botulism to grow. As botulism grows, it releases a gas called carbon dioxide, which inflates and pressurizes the packet until it explodes, spreading harmful bacteria all over its immediate surroundings. I left one in my fridge for two days and it exploded, and I had to throw away everything in my fridge that wasn't in a sealed container and sanitize the whole fridge. It sounded like a small grenade went off in my refrigerator. I will happily change my review to five stars if they address this food safety issue and switch to regular plastic or Styrofoam cups with lids to package their salsa, or any other form of packaging that doesn't turn them into tiny food...