Casa Latina: Tacos + Joy in Catskill
At Casa Latina, a homey Mexican spot tucked into an alleyway in the Village of Catskill, margaritas are served in cactus-stemmed glasses, chili pepper lights twinkle behind the bar, and a self-serve fridge is stocked with a wide array of Jarritos flavors. It’s often our first stop on a trip upstate because the moment I walk in, I feel like I’m on vacation.
On our first visit, we left Brooklyn in the morning and drove straight there, sheepishly ordering a round of margaritas with our early lunch. Our server, whom we later learned to be the owner, smiled brightly and said, “It’s five o’clock somewhere!”
La Casa Latina is located in Brandow Alley, between Avalon Lounge and the Bank of Greene County. Its proprietors have turned their corner of the parking lot into a miniature tropical escape, a potted plant paradise complete with dinner-plate dahlias and spiky dracaenas obscuring views of the nearby drive-up ATM.
Their crispy fish tacos, served on colorful ceramic vessels, are topped with sweet bits of mango and buttery wedges of avocado, and their tables are papered in placemats covered in local ads, which my city kids love to read. It’s an extremely family-friendly spot, serving chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and cheese empanadas for pickier eaters.
The mole poblano, a boneless chicken breast smothered in rich, comforting sauce, is on the dinner menu, but you can order it at lunchtime, too, as I often do. I’m so devoted to it that I inevitably forget to order the fajitas, which always make me feel jealous when they arrive, steamy and sizzling, at neighboring tables.
Looking for a spot to celebrate a birthday in Catskill? Casa Latina will bring you a blazing bowl of churros, which is basically a bowl of pure delight. The photo above was taken at my friend Laura’s birthday, but my daughter, Ramona, was fully sharing the joy.
La Casa Latina is located at 1 Brandow Alley in Catskill, NY. Follow them @lacasalatinacatskill.
