Victor Santiago and his wife, Isela Juarez, have opened their fourth Mexican eatery, La Oaxaqueña Taqueria, featuring the cuisine of their native Oaxaca. 

The couple’s dream of owning a family business began with a food truck in Charlotte. Now, along with their sons and extended family, they operate two restaurants in Charlotte as well as one in Naples, Florida. 

La Oaxaqueña Taqueria on Fountain Drive in Wilmington focuses on the traditional recipes of Oaxaca, a gastronomic hub of southern Mexico. The region is known for dishes featuring corn, beans and chile peppers, as well as several varieties of mole, a marinade and sauce that is prevalent in Mexican cuisine.

La Oaxaqueña uses authentic Mexican ingredients whenever possible to stay true to family recipes.

Santiago said that it has been somewhat difficult to source some of these ingredients recently, but they are doing the best they can. As for opening during a pandemic, Santiago said they have been very busy so far and are pleased by the response.

In fact, the couple had planned to wait a bit longer to open, but they were receiving so many inquiries that they decided to open their doors.  

“If you have the opportunity to go to Oaxaca, everything here is the same as you’ll find there,” Victor Santiago said. “This is as close to the real thing as possible. For local Oaxacan’s we want them to feel like they are at home.” 

Filled with colorful scenes portraying life in Oaxaca, La Oaxaqueña Taqueria’s dining room can normally seat 80, but under the current guidelines is only able to seat at half capacity. There is also a deck with outdoor seating.

While the restaurant does not currently have a liquor license, they have applied for one and hope to soon be serving margaritas, micheladas, frozen drinks and beer. 

La Oaxaqueña Taqueria is located at 4540 Fountain Drive and is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week and carryout orders can be placed online.

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