El Travieso Taquería 

Located in Minnehave square, the interior of El Travieso Taquería is painted with colorful calaveras, where its warm savory smells waft out of the kitchen and into a small dining area. The taco shop has been open for a year and a half, and has been seen as a success in bringing authentic Mexican food to Minnetonka. 

“Mexico has one of the best cuisines in the world, and our restaurant represents that,” an employee at El Travieso said. 

Popular items include El Rey Tacos, Frisky Burritos, and corn tortilla chips with guacamole. Customers can pick from ten protein options, including a staff favorite, the barbacoa beef. Other dishes to try are the seafood ceviche and sweet cinnamon horchata drink.

“I feel proud that people come and try the food and that they like it,” the cashier said. “We love what we do, and that’s part of our success.”

Delsur Empanadas 

On Excelsior boulevard there is a big, beautiful and modern restaurant called DelSur Empanadas. This Argentinian restaurant sells 10 types of empanadas as well as sandwiches, salads and Latin desserts like Flan. 

“We have a few flavors that are authentic, like ham and cheese, beef, sweet corn and sweet beef,” DelSur employee Lucia Uchidiuno, ‘23, said. “There are also flavors that are geared for the ‘American palate,’ like BBQ chicken, spinach and mushrooms.” 

DelSur celebrated an anniversary on November 8th, a day marking four years of success. The delicious food and fun atmosphere have helped, but Uchidiuno and Front of House manager Shelby agree that it’s the people that make DelS    ur a great place to eat. 

“We all like working here,” Shelby said. “We have customers that come back not only for the food, but to see us, and that’s really nice.” 

TequeArepa

Last but not least, Venezuelan restaurant TequeArepa is a small family-owned business located in Eden Prairie. They sell a variety of handmade arepas (cornmeal cakes) and South American sides like yuca frita and tostones. 

“It’s 100% Authentic Venezuelan cuisine,” said Erwin, a cashier who helped start TequeArepa back in 2013. “When you come here, you can imagine you’re in a Venezuelan Arepera and the only difference is me trying to speak in English.”

Erwin’s favorite food at the restaurant are the cachapas, a new addition that’s become a customer favorite. They’re sweet corn pancakes with venezuelan cheese cream on top.  

“It’s been a little hard with COVID, but customers are growing little by little every year,” he said. “People love variety and they like to try new foods.”