Grub on the Green Line: Los Ocampo offers a quick, close option

Every week I try a new restaurant on the Green Line. This week, I tried a Mexican restaurant that I’ve had my eye on for a while, called Los Ocampo. According to their website, Los Ocampo’s goal is to be one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in all of the Twin Cities, and now they have three locations: in Lake Plaza, Seeger Square, Midtown Global Market and University. The restaurant had bright paint on the walls, colorful flags hanging from the ceiling and even replicas of famous Mexican paintings such as works by Diego Rivera.

The menu was extensive and I was a bit overwhelmed. To make things easier, I tried a dish I have never had before. I ordered the Huarachazo ($7.99), a traditional Mexican dish that consists of a fried masa cake stuffed with spicy beans. This dish comes with a meat, topped with pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, avocado and radish. I chose to get the spicy chicken, which was recommended by the waitress. While the chicken wasn’t that spicy (I am from California and it takes a little more spice to get me teary-eyed) the food was really good. The fluffiness of the fried masa cake and the mix of the chicken with all the sauces contributed to a myriad of flavors.

I got my food to go, so I unfortunately did not eat at the restaurant. The food took 15 minutes to prepare, which means that if you called and then hopped on the Green Line (like the conscientious and responsible Macalester student that you are) you would get there just as the food is ready. I definitely recommend going to Los Ocampo if you are in the mood for good Mexican food and an accessible retaurant, as it is located on Dale and University.

Los Ocampo is located at 615 University Ave, St. Paul, MN 55103