Chef Mauro shows off some of his tasty tacos. (Photo by: Willie Carroll)

Los Tacos de Mauro is brand new on the Ottawa food scene. This three-month old restaurant serves authentic Mexican food. Chef Mauro says it’s the only restaurant in Ottawa that serves the dishes closest to the cuisine found in Mexico.

While it may be small, Los Tacos de Mauro is big on fun. The restaurant has a dance floor positioned in the centre and a bar close to the kitchen.

During lunch time, the atmosphere is mellow, so if you’re looking for a quiet place to enjoy authentic Mexican food while listening to Latin music, Los Tacos de Mauro is the place to be.

However, the heat gets turned up at night. If you’re looking for a fun night out, dancing the night away Mexican style, then Los Tacos is also the place for you.

Los Tacos de Mauro turns into a discotheque on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The menu is also impressive. The most popular items include the delectable Tacos de barbacoa de borrego ($9.50) which are Mexican-style lamb-meat tacos, the Tacos de Carnitas ($8.50), Michoacan-style pork tacos, and Tortas de Carnitas de puerco. These dishes are served with a choice of soup or salad.

Finally, Los Tacos de Mauro will leave your wallet feeling as full as your belly. It’s very affordable, especially for students, as the main menu ranges from $7.75- $12.50. However, small portions mean you might have to order more than one dish.

The restaurant’s location at 349 Dalhousie Street means it’s easy to get to by bus. If you are at Carleton University, you can hop on the 4 Downtown or the 7 St. Laurent to Rideau Centre and walk from there to ByWard Market.