El Autentico Latin American Restaurant has opened in the Safeway shopping center on the southwest corner of Alma School and Guadalupe in Mesa.
The space previously was home to the short-lived Max’s Mukhaase African Restaurant & Catering.
El Autentico’s menu is divided into three geographic regions: Peru, Colombia, and Mexico.
Peruvian dominates with several varieties of lomo saltado (stir-fry, pictured above), chaufa (fried rice), tallarin (noodle), and ceviche dishes. Desserts include picarones (doughnuts), alfajores (biscuit-like cookies), and crema volteada (flan).
Colombian fare features empanadas, chorizo con arepa (spicy sausage on white corn cakes), yuca frita (yuca fries), and bandeja paisa (a mixed plate with red beans, rice, ground meat, chicharon, fried egg, and more).
The Mexican section offers tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas.
Looking for an unusual beverage? Try a chicha morada (made from purple corn), maracuya (made from passion fruit), or one of the Peruvian kolas (pictured).
El Autentico is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
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