Taqueria Costa Sur Y Panaderia “El Padrino”|Auburn — Restaurant in Monroe

Our daughter introduced us to her favorite gas station Mexican food on the way to Stevens Pass. While I haven't tried any of the other options on this route, I don't feel a need to. We had their 5 tacos for $11 special, plus a few other assorted tacos, and topped it off with their amazing Quesabirria (basically a small birria quesadilla dipped in birria broth and fried) - messy but spectacular. There is seating at the counter (delightful for watching the friendly staff work), or if weather permits, there are picnic tables outside with a view of the gas pumps. My 'atmosphere' rating is purely because of the filling station location - the dine-in counter inside is very pleasant. This gem is not well marked - it's in the Food Mart at the Mobil station on Rt 2, just a few blocks from the intersection...

The place is inside a gas station food mart and quaint, very clean kitchen. The food is cooked, prepared in front of you with fresh, chilled ingredients with reasonable prices. Friendly chef Aurora cook, prep, serve you with a smile. I ordered to-go a Carne Asada breakfast burrito with hashbrowns, eggs, Carne Asada, and cheese (Monterey?) wrapped in a large flour tortilla and a Chorizo breakfast burrito with hashbrowns, eggs, Chorizo, and cheese (Monterrey?) wrapped in a large flour tortilla. It comes with homemade fresh delicious green and red salsa. I'll come back to try their other dishes and post more review, pix to follow. Also, Aurora is respectful of the COVID protocols, mandates to keep everyone safe...

Not sure if I came here on an off day? Maybe a new or different cook? I saw a lot of 5 star reviews. That was why I drove a little farther out of my way to try this restaurant. I was the only person there at 5:30pm besides the one employee.

I got an asada burrito and a couple asada tacos. Steak was dry and chewy and the beef tasted low quality. My burrito was kind of small (see pic, i dont have large hands) compared to most other taquerias and was mostly rice. The rice and beans also did not have a great flavor. Ive easily eaten at a 100 taquerias throughout the country in my life and this was in the bottom 10%.

All that said…it was okay, but i cant recommend this place nor will I...