Tienda El Quetzal Inc — Restaurant in Woodfin

TIENDA EL QUETZAL 10 July 2025

I drove by this place multiple times over the course of a few days while I was away at a workshop in Asheville, NC. What I noticed was that this place seemed busier than a gas station. Then I noticed that it was a Mexican restaurant, and then finally I saw people coming out with take-out bags, so I was drawn to go in.

It's really tough to choose (for me at least) what to try when you don't think you're ever going to go back to the establishment again. I suppose you choose what sounds the best, but sometimes there are sleepers on the menu that just need a little thoughtful discovery.

I tried the tacos here, wasn't too hungry before starting my travel back home. The menu is on a board above the counter and it really is a hole in the wall. It's one of those places I am reluctant to mention because it could change if it got more popular. So I'm just going to report that I did look at what others were eating and the whole menu, small, was represented. Burritos, all day breakfasts, Tacos, Sandwiches, fried plantains (I wish I had tried them because I saw them on everyone's plates!), fried yukka, wings. Although the spread of the menu was broad, from burgers and Philly steaks to carne asada and a Quoetzal breakfast, it was honed down to delicious. I am getting hungry just thinking about what I saw and all the possibilities they offered. Oh well, back to the exercise regimen.

The other part is that the not the hole in the wall part is a grocery store with a lot of beverages at the back wall in a huge cooler. I got a Boing! guava pulp beverage, drank it quickly, then got a coconut milk beverage with the gummy squares. I didn't really explore much in there either, except for the drink case. I was looking for a Topo Chico, which is getting easier to find these days. They were sold out, and so I was forced to choose something other than the easy route. It was a complete spectrum as well, from tamarindo to strawberry soda to energy drinks, but from Mexico. My local mexican grocery hasn't carried these yet.

I'm kind of damning myself now for not going in as soon as my radar went off. The two tacos I got were carnitas and al pastor. The meats were shredded and in small pieces. The tacos had one layer of corn tortilla each and I might not believe you if you had said they were not made there. They came with 2 salsas. One was made with a green melon (I think) and that's all I know other than they maybe had a Carolina twang on the vinegar side. Nice heat, not overly spicy, and the flavors were well melded. Cilantro, onion, and 2 small wedges of lime were tucked into the take out boxes. If you ate there, you got a basket with a wax paper liner. Somehow my order which I ate there was made to go.

I've included some pictures as well, of the exterior (strip mall type storefront off the side of the road), the grocery aisles, the beverage cooler, and the owner, who I got a live photo of by accident and it's so cute how he gives a thumbs up while breaking into a smile. I hope they stay in business a very long time. I should also mention that the owner spoke mainly Spanish and that he was kind and patient as I tried asking all my questions to narrow down what to order. I am studying Spanish, for one reason, to talk more about food....

I'll admit that I Love ur breakfast burrito. But tonight, I had the Worst taco experience that I can remember having in many, Many Moons. Got 2 chicken and 2 pastor, tacos. The meat on all was Way over cooked - seriously, they were quite firm. The meat was also lukewarm - I feel like it wasn't fresh at all, but had been sitting in a warmer all day. The corn tortillas were stale - no exaggeration, they were quite firm. And to top it off, I asked for no onion or cilantro on the pastor, but it was smothered in both. The thing is, I always talk you all up. But you've lost it. It doesn't matter if it's towards the end of the day - if u're gonna sell food, take pride in it. You should want ur customers to be satisfied and know that it was prepared by someone who knows how to cook and appreciates...

I desperately needed a phone charger after my phone died, and I was stranded in Asheville temporarily after a blowout. I walked in the direction of Ingles to buy one and stumbled upon this store.

The gentleman working on this Sunday morning was so kind and helpful. He opened early to sell me a charger and assisted me again when I returned to buy the necessary charging port. He really helped me out of a jam. I'm very...