La Illusion

This cafe in a worn Mexican grocery store has authentic Mexican food (plus a few Tex-mex items for those so inclined. This evening was my 3rd visit in SS many years. I really enjoyed the pico de gallo and appreciated being ask the level of spice. Spivey is spicy. Street tacos were pretty good, Spanish rise was great. Chorizo on melted cheese skillet (fundido) was fantastic. All 5 of us really enjoyed the dinners. Finish of the dinner with a real Mexican treat, frozen fruit bar. This is a kind of place I think everyone should try and enjoy but some people wouldn't go back to because it is a bit run down and unfortunately has a few pesky flies. Regardless, the food s great and I will be back.

Title: Best AuthenticTacos in BatesvilleReview: Great little restaurant inside a Mexican grocery store. Seats about 50, usually not very busy. long established over 10 years and it's never had a review, They have menus in english and the staff speaks English. Let me start by saying this is not an upscale place, it's clean but there is no decor or special lighting it's a working persons place and really, the food is so good and such a value, that you would not notice anyway. It's a humble marketplace torteria. You walk in, pick a drink from the cooler or pour a cup of Mexican punch from the dispensers and then find a seat. I like the Mexican Jarritos fruit punch sodas Someone will come around with menus and take your order. Tacos, tacos, tacos.... They have awesome tacos made in a street taco style. Choose your meat (about 6 different) and they do the rest! all fresh ingredients. Tacos are a buck $1 and somewhere between 4-6 make a meal. Don't forget to ask for the Verde Salsa for your tacos, it has a little bit of heat to it and a freshness that is savory. They also have a Tortuga sandwich (turtle sandwich, named because of it's shape) served with crinkle cut fries which is awesome, I highly recommend this one! Great place, cheap eats an unknown gem in our little city!

This is your quintessential local dive. The restaurant is situated in the market. The service is slowish, he furnishings old and worn. The people are very friendly and helpful, and the food is delicious. Avoid the "usuals" as they are disappointing-- the cheese dip is thin, the fajitas so-so. Instead, get the off beat menu items. The flavors are awesome!

I've been frequenting this wonderful Mexican store for many years now. Over the course of this time I've spent a lot of money here, but more importantly I've had some really amazing, educational, and just positive experiences and memories here. It's really sad to witness a place go downhill so fast. I came in a while back, probably 3-4 weeks ago and there were all new staff. They explained to me that there was a new owner. We had this conversation in Spanish. The new staff there that day were very polite to me, and (most importantly, they spoke to me in Spanish when I addressed them in Spanish). Since this initial visit after their change of ownership I've been three times, with each experience worse than the last. Today was my final visit here. I came in after a long hard day of work. I needed some chilis and some cilantro. I come here to buy these things because typically the products are higher quality that Kroger or Walmart. When I got to the front I addressed the young lady behind the register in Spanish, using the formal form of you no less. She didn't look at me, as she was on her phone. She just mumbled "great". She started bagging my items into a plastic bag, I told her politely in Spanish, a bag isn't necessary. She looked at me as though I was insane, she asked in English with attitude "You don't want a bag?". At this point I was frustrated not only with her lack of engagement with me as a customer and in my use of Spanish, but also with her overall negative and unfriendly attitude. I don't understand why someone acts so rude??? I'm your customer, c'mon. Finally, I asked her why she wouldn't speak to me in Spanish. She looked at me as though she could kill me, and says "Do you speak any Spanish?" At this point I came to the conclusion she was either deaf or just extremely rude!!!! Humbly, I say "Alguno" (some in English). She guffaws and aks "Do you speak Spanish well", and then abruptly turns back to her phone. I had paid at this point, I took my things outside, but I brought them back in because I was so disgusted at this interaction. I've had so many conversations in Spanish with staff members here over the years, this is why this interaction shocked me. If somehow the new owners read this, please tell your staff to humor us gringos who come inside your store and want to speak some Spanish. I'll start looking for a new tienda, I suggest anyone who reads this to do the same.