May 25, 2007
by Karen Persson for The Columbian

The chicken taquitos are filled with all-white shredded chicken and cheese, then deep-fried.(The Columbian, Janet L. Mathews)

Why: Discovering authentic Mexican food can be similar to experiencing authentic Italian pizza. Once you sample the authentic version, you begin to appreciate the differences. Guadalajara's Mexican food is the real deal. Its menu focuses on the culture's best entrees, appetizers, desserts, beverages and sides. Owner Rosa Verduzco, who works at the restaurant regularly, is a native of Michoacan, Mexico.

What I tried: I'm a longtime fan of chicken taquitos. I also tried the Spanish rice, pollo mole and caldo de pollo. The burrito-style taquitos are filled with all-white chicken, tastefully seasoned and cooked to an ideal tenderness, then deep fried for a slightly crisp exterior. These easily could be a meal by themselves. The pollo mole is a culturally distinctive dish, chicken breasts strips covered in a sweet and mildly spicy sauce. But it's the caldo de pollo that stood out. It's my new favorite Mexican soup. The chicken, prepared like it is for the taquitos, is added to a thin broth and rice. Fresh diced tomatoes, avocados and onions are tossed in just before serving. This gives it a burst of flavor that often isn't brought out in soup. The mix of ingredients also makes every mouthful slightly different than the one before.

Don't pass on: The complementary sopapilla for dessert. The dessert combines a petite scoop of ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream and a crisp cinnamon-sugared flour tortilla chip drizzled with honey.

Atmosphere: The neon lights in the windows of Guadalajara are all that draws attention to its modest strip-mall location. Inside, the warm adobe-hued tones accented with light rattan chairs and vibrant green plants create a comfortable setting. Glazed pottery throughout gives the restaurant a patio feel. I looked for crumbs and cobwebs, and none were to be found. Even the leaves on the plants were dust-free.

Cost: Dinner combinations, which include rice and beans, are $8.25 to $9.25. Shrimp fajitas for two are $22.50, the highest price on the menu, with most dinners in the $10 to $13 range. Meals for kids 10 and younger are $3.85.

A quick take: The ingredients are fresh. The food is hot. The service is excellent.

Where: 500 Columbia Ave., Unit D, Woodland.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Contact: 360-225-8719.