Boca Chica Restaurante in St. Paul is a family-owned restaurant in Minnesota and a neighborhood institution in the state's capital city. This eatery has been owned and operated by the same family - now on its third generation - since 1964, and diners keep coming back for more of its delicious, home-style Mexican food.
When Guillermo and Gloria Frias opened the doors to Boca Chica Restaurante in 1964, the tiny eatery only seated 28 guests.
Since then, the restaurant - along with the Frias family and Boca Chica's roster of loyal customers - has expanded considerably.
The restaurant's three dining rooms are bedecked with murals depicting key periods in Mexican history.
A muralist from the city of Mérida, on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, painted the works, and they help to make dining the dining experience even a little more special.
Whether you're in the eating in the dining room or enjoying an evening in the bar, you'll find a warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff.
A full bar is available, so you can order your favorite classic cocktail, beer, or wine.
But, really, margaritas are the stars of the show at Boca Chica.
Why would you order anything else?!
Foodwise, you'll find much of what you'd expect at Boca Chica - tacos, burritos, enchiladas - but there's also plenty of hearty, homestyle Mexican fare.
From tamales and mole to steak and seafood, you're sure to find something you'll love.
On nice days, sitting outside on the restaurant's charming patio is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Music lovers will rejoice at the fact that mariachi bands make regular appearances at Boca Chica.
Boca Chica was one of the first authentic Mexican restaurants in the Twin Cities and one of the few that was open when I first moved here. Since it was the first that I visited in Minnesota, it's always been a special place for me. For more information about the restaurant, visit its website or Boca Chica's Facebook page.
Since you're going to be in the neighborhood, why not book a tour of St. Paul's infamous Wabasha Street Caves? They're an intriguing part of some of the city's most sinister history. You can reserve your spot on the tour on Viator.com. Since the caves are only a couple blocks away from Boca Chica, we think a tour pairs perfectly with a meal at this beloved Mexican eatery in St. Paul.
Have you dined at Boca Chica? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
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