La Cocina De Mama — Restaurant in Shelbyville

There are a lot of Mexican restaurants in Kentucky and 95% are not worth it. We were in the area and the reviews for La Cocina de Mama gave me hope. We went in with optism and it far exceeded our expectations. First thing you notice is the staff is all smiles, greeting us every time we walked by. It was a beautiful day with little humidity and as anyone knows lately that's been a blessing. We opted to sit in the patio area. They brought out the gratuitous warm chips and salsa. The salsa came in a carafe with small dipping bowls to pour it in. I don't like cilantro at all but the subtle taste of it and the hit of heat made me want to drink it. You can just tell it's made in house. They have an extensive list of tequilas and have 32oz frozen margaritas. I had a regular frozen margarita. This is the real deal. The tequila was smooth and dominant, worth every cent. We ordered Diablo wings for the appetizer. Decent size, fried and covered in sauce. I love heat! For the main we had the chicken flautas. Comes with rice and refried beans and three rolled up and fried Tortillas stuffed with chicken and topped with cheese. Great Mexican rice isn't sticky or mushy and this was cooked very well. They're on point with seasoning too. The refried beans were full of flavor and smooth. They didn't have a grainy texture at all. I really enjoyed them. Overall a great experience and can't wait to bring a crew to sit out...

We met some friends here for dinner. The menu is overwhelming (extensive) & attempting to read it while trying to catch up with our friends just wasn't happening. We just got what they got. It was a bowl of stir-fried green peppers, onions, cactus leaves, jalapeños, green peppers, overcooked, dried tiny chicken strips, a few shrimp (my husband said there were scallops though I didn't see any), and (did I mention?) green peppers. It came with a very small side of a few pieces of shredded lettuce, a few pieces of diced tomatoes, almost a Tbl sour cream & guacamole & a cup of yellow rice - and, eventually, 3 small tortillas. There was almost enough of the side for one tortilla. I had not had cactus leaves before & found them tart & tasty (earned one of the stars).

I ordered a blueberry mule, but it came sans blueberries - flavor or fruit. My husband ordered a Corona beer. It was delivered without a lime (ok). A few minutes later, another person brought another Corona (this time w/ a lime). They offered the second, already opened, bottle & he agreed to take it off their hands. It sat on the table warming while he drank the first one. Then, they charged us for the warm, un-ordered beer! Bless it!

This morning, we used the left-over green pepper concoction in our friends' beautiful farm fresh eggs - wonderful...

La Cocina de Mama is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that every visit is a memorable one.

The food is simply outstanding. Every dish is bursting with authentic flavors, and you can taste the love and care put into each recipe. The tacos are a must-try, packed with fresh ingredients and perfectly seasoned. The enchiladas and tamales are also top-notch, offering a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will leave you craving more.

One of the highlights of dining here is the homemade salsa and guacamole. They're the perfect complement to any meal and add an extra layer of deliciousness to the experience. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you receive.

I highly recommend La Cocina de Mama to anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable Mexican dining experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is definitely worth a visit. Five stars...