Taqueria Vega
Since I've pretty much limited "Nearby" to a 25 mile radius (Branson excepted), you can assume that this is something special. In fact, this is the epitome of my type of restaurant: offering great food in ample portions at low prices. Walls and furniture are basic -- all of the money is on the plate, where it should be. (For those of you who have had the good fortune to eat at Arthur Bryant's in KC, MO -- once named by Calvin Trillin as the best single restaurant in the world -- this is the same concept in Mexican rather than BBQ.) Whenever I've visited, the clientele has been at least 80% Hispanic. I'm not an expert in Mexican cooking, but my best guess is that most of these folks are.
The menu runs to 4 pages, including breakfast (served all day), and includes beef, pork and seafood (plus goat on the weekends), with a very nice chile relleno for the vegetarians. There are some wonderful sandwich offerings (on "Mexican bread" which reminds me of what bread is supposed to be) and the best Gorditas that I've had in a handful of restaurants in 3 different States. Filling selections for the enchiladas, quesadillas, tostadas, etc include spicy pork, carnitas, longaniza, chicken, beef, pork ribs, Mexican barbecue (beef), cabeza, buche, beef tongue and tripas. Except at the height of lunch hour, the delivery of the dishes is usually fast, though I'm pretty sure that they are prepared on order. (Shortly after my order goes in, the sound of food being chopped begins back in the kitchen.) Of the approximately 4 dozen dishes offered, most are in the $5-$9 range, and only 4 are priced at over $10. Food can also be ordered for carryout, in case you want to eat (more of) it after you get here.
The only down side that I can see to eating at this restaurant is that, unless you have another really good Mexican restaurant near where you live, this may diminish your enjoyment of the Mexican food that you eat elsewhere.
Hours:
Tues.-Sat. 9:00am - 8:30pm Sun. 8:30am - 7:00pm Mon. Closed
From Lazy Eagle Resort: Right out of the driveway onto MO 86. Left on Hwy F. Left on Hwy 112. Left on MO 37, which becomes AR 37. Right onto US 62. Continue on 62 into Rogers (where the Hwy is W. Hudson Rd.). Restaurant is on the North side of the street, between 13th St. and Dixieland. (Immediately across the street is the very well-marked entrance to the Summit Executive Park.)
Address: 1532 W. Hudson Rd., Rogers, AR
Telephone: 479 936 8801