If you want to have a taste of authentic Mexican food without booking a flight and waiting in TSA lines, then look no further than El Paisita in Loxley, Alabama.

On Hickory Street in Loxley, El Paisita (which roughly translates to “little homeland”) is a Mexican restaurant owned and run by Lucero and Cody Stamper, and it is a bit small, so you might miss it if you're not looking for it. A chef friend of mine recommended it, raving about the Mexican dishes there, so another friend of mine and I decided to try it. 

“We started with cooking just for family, but we had a similar place in Mexico,” Lucero said, “so we decided to open a restaurant here.” 

It was worth the drive from Fairhope—well worth it! El Paisita, which first opened in 2015, has been consistently turning out quality and authentic Mexican fare since then. We went for lunch, which has a huge menu, including one-, two- and three-combo choices, all of which come with beans and rice.

We started with queso dip to go with our chips. This queso dip is made from scratch, like many of the restaurant’s other dressings, dips, and sauces, and is one of the best I’ve ever had. We also shared crunchy tacos, chile rellenos, and beef enchiladas. I was half-raised in Texas, so I know Mexican and Tex-Mex, and this place reminded me of all that good food I’d left behind.

The wait-staff was friendly and efficient, and the décor was lovely—adorning the walls were paintings of bullfighting scenes, agave farmers, and lovely young senoritas smiling at the artist. The restaurant was very clean and inviting, and when we were finished with our meal, the young chef came out to see how we had liked everything.

Unlike many other Mexican restaurants, El Paisita’s menu includes half a dozen vegetarian choices, and its kids’ menu is also available for adults who want smaller-sized dishes (adults are charged a tad more than kids). El Paisita welcomes children and has handicap-accessible seating as well.

Their menu also offers some house specials, including ribeye steak with sides such as grilled zucchini, and another (which is next on my list)  is Chipotle Agave Glazed Grilled Chicken, which is served topped with grilled fresh pineapple and a variety of sides of the diner’s choice. Cody Stamper added, “In a few weeks, we’ll have new and exciting choices on the menu, including Mexican wings.”

Besides the inviting atmosphere, the varied menu, the pleasant and efficient service, and the delicious-looking margaritas (I was driving, so didn’t get to sample), the prices are beyond reasonable. Just let me say, you will be pleasantly surprised and will be talking about a repeat visit before you’re out the door!

El Paisita is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. They have happy hour foods with special prices on mixed drinks, wines, and "cervezas." The address is 3800 S. Hickory Lane, Loxley; their telephone number is 251-964-0083.  

Once you’ve enjoyed dining at El Paisita, you will feel as though you have indeed been to a bit of the old Mexico homeland.