Taqueria El Oasis

My heart breaks… El Oasis is no more… Closed
…Guttted even. Just drove by and everything is gone. However, for authentic tacos the place across the street– Taqueria Ramirez has been pretty good so far…

Authentic Mexican food at a reasonable price.

It’s been several years, but the place has hit its stride. The tacos are to die for, but the menu is huge. I’ll agree that the service is a bit … relaxed … But the food is so very, very good.

This place is pretty good the problem is when you first walk in is it seems they’re a bit understaffed every time I’m there. So after finding a seat, the menu wow it is overwhelming I suggest starting off with a taco, simple beef taco. To get an idea of how good the food is. Then move on from there to try the menu out, there is just so much it’s otherwise just to much to decipher.
One way to give this place a good starter try is order the Express Lunch along with an extra taco if one taco isn’t enough, try something different like Beef Cheek taco, my favorite so far though is Al Pastor.
We went again two days later because ya it was that good. It was pretty bad then, the service was bad but it was apparently because they were short handed. It appeared they had ONE waiter for the ENTIRE restaurant. The only reason I would remove a star is because they had a number of employees and or management just standing around. You know they could have poured drinks, walked by the tables ect to see if everyone was doing good. ANYTHING, but they didn’t.
It was kind of surprising because any «professional» restaurant would be doing exactly that. They seemed to only worry about the very (10+) large party in the back rather than any of the smaller parties. This is clearly a more amateur management style, and because of that I would suggest not going during any busy times as the customer service will take a dive as they struggle to figure out basic and typical measures for situations that might arise.
The gorditas I received this business night was thrown together so sloppily that I had to use a fork and knife when I should have been able to hold and eat it. I was not happy with how lazy it was made.
Actually due to that I’m giving it a 3 star. Add a star if you arrive there during non-​busy hours.
I felt sorry for the waitress and tipped her very well.

Having been to many Tex-​Mex style places over the years and enjoying the large portions of mostly mediocre food for low prices, I finally decided to check this place out for a taste of authentic Mexican, and I was so glad I did. Flying solo on a Saturday afternoon, I sat at the bar, and a friendly Chicago transplant (they have some good authentic Mexican there) helped me navigate the «authentic» insert to the full menu. It was awesome. I had two tacos (lengua, that they actually spell out for you as «cow tounge» and Chorizo). I had an Empanada that I believe was Al Patron, but I could be wrong on that. It was a spicy pork filling that was fantastic! I loved it, considered ordering a second, then realized I’d be leaving in a walking food coma, and didn’t want that at 3 on a Saturday. The tacos were both great. Served open-​faced on two corn tortillas each, as mentioned above you can fold the top one and let the droppings fall onto the second one. I had never had lengua before and it was great. I’ve had chorizo before and I found this really salty but good. The fresh taste of the cilantro was amazing. I will definitely be back and when my Rick Bayliss-​obsessed friend comes back in town, I will apologize for having taken her to Rio Grande and bring her here instead.
Can’t wait to go back. No real ambience (unless you’re a futbol fan) and service was actually a little off when I was there (had to wait a little while to get a second beer), but the food was outstanding.

This place is amazing! The best taqueria I have been to outside California or Mexico.
Tacos are served in the traditional way: smallish corn tortillas, served double so you can catch all the goodness that falls out of the first overstuffed tortilla with the second one (so you really get two tacos for the price of one).
The taqueria has a standard Tex-​Mex menu, but also offers more authentically Mexican items. If that is of interest to you, be sure to look at the small insert in the bigger menu.
As others have mentioned, this place is not decorated all that much (although there are some interesting paintings on the walls).
Service is very friendly.
Florence Kentucky has a treasure in Taqueria El Oasis, and I plan to return any time I am in the area.

Can’t beat the value. Had 2 delicious empanadas and a good margarita for $ 12.50. And that included a generous tip. Friendly service as well. If you’re in the neighborhood, check it out.

As has been pointed out, this is far more authentic than most Mexican places around the area. Great salsa, good variety of quality soups, lots of interesting things. Yes, you can find the usual americanized fare but why would you? Grab a Michelada (best around) and order some tacos, grab some huaraches and enjoy. The seafood soup is particularly interesting… Oh and you can NOT beat the prices… VERY affordable.

El Oasis is one of the few places in the area that I could consider «true» Mexican.
The salsa was indeed hot but flavorful, the tacos were terrific and they actually served ceviche.
El Oasis also had a decent beer selection and some great margaritas.
Definitely need to come back here again when I want true Mexican flavors and not the usual Tex-​Mex offerings.

Finally a place this is true Mexican and not a Tex-​Mex place! Just do yourself a favor, order the Tacos de Lengua, and enjoy the party in your mouth! I also love the Chorizo con Huevos burrito for breakfast! You know it’s good food when it’s hard to find some that speaks English, and everyone around you stares at you wondering why the gringo is sitting inside! :) I love it!

This is the best authentic Mexican food you can get in Kentucky, guaranteed. It really is a whole in the wall, but when you walk in and take one look at their authentic menu, you know this isn’t gringo food. This place reminds me of good Mexican places back home in Chicago. Fútbol and telenovelas on the tv screens, a horchata machine, good chorizo, lingua, homemade tortillas and beans… I mean REALLY homemade. There’s no reason to satisfy a Mexican crave anywhere else around here.

I’m not huge on mexican food honestly. It’s always heavy and greasy to me. But the first time I went I got the sopa. Which was great. It was light and had a good mixture of every ingredient. Also got fried plantains which for some reason you can’t really find around here. But they were hot and crisp. I was slightly disappointed the second time because the plantains were softer and greasy. Different cooks I suppose. Both times I ordered off of there «authentic» menu. (That’s what I’m calling it). It has treated me well and plan to stick too it. Oh and it’s super cheap which is a plus.

I actually found the food good but a little bland. The quesadillas were tasty but nothing special, ditto with the beans and the thing that looks like a tostada but has a thicker tortilla. My brother liked the burrito. The server didn’t speak English (not a problem, certainly spoke to the authenticity) so we couldn’t ask about the more exotic stuff, which I would have liked to try. I’d be wiling to go back and be more adventurous. Prices were nice. Definitely an interesting spot.

Having a hunkering for some Mexican food, I looked around Unilocal for a place to go and Taqueria El Oasis had enough positive reviews to make the decision an easy one. The reviewers were right on, as the food was outstanding. The first menu item that jumped out at me was the Menudo (tripe) which not many Mexican places offer and when they do, it is usually a Fri, Sat, Sun offering. The day was Tuesday and I ordered it everyday I went, as it was just wonderfully made, with so much flavor.
From there I ordered many other items from sopas to the common but very popular taco’s. The cheese empanada’s were crisp, the plaintains were wonderful and freshly prepared, as I caught a peek in the kitchen and the oversize banana was being sliced and submerged into the oil.
I did not eat my meals in, (as I took them to go) one doesn’t have to look hard to notice the focus is on the food, not the décor
Between the options, quality and price, this is a must, for anyone looking to eat from a non Corporate chain, that really knows how to whip it up in the kitchen.

NEW REVIEW:
I have been coming to this place so much since my original review. Matter of fact, we go here basically every Friday night for their $ 1 tacos and $ 1 drafts. It’s amazing. I love their margaritas, which are also amazing. Their ceviche here is amazing. It’s all amazing. Service is slow on Fridays usually, just be warned. Get in at 6pm when the special starts, because it only lasts until 8pm!
OLD REVIEW (but still useful!):
So last night I visited this place for the first time. I had seen it passing by the area previously and took note of it to give it a try. I didn’t know until I looked at the reviews here that this was something more special than your typical tex-​mex restaurant.
We arrived an hour before close (a Thur. night) and I almost thought the place was closed (they’d forgot to turn on their sign outside). No one was inside, and the staff were taking a little break watching some TV, so I didn’t see anyone at the counter when driving up. As soon as we went inside though, they acknowledged us and stopped what they were doing to serve us. I was relieved they weren’t closed!
The building is small, but has plenty of seating, surprisingly. Decorations were simple and not like that of most Mexican restaurants I’ve been in (carved, painted tables and chairs, paintings all over the walls and such — you know what I mean!). Our waiter was very friendly, and even though the menu was full of items I couldn’t pronounce, he had no problem figuring out what we wanted.
I can’t believe the prices for their food here — it’s cheap! And we all know how we feel about cheap food mostly — that it’s poor quality! DO NOT ASSUME THIS! I did and I was thrown for a loop! Regardless of the reviews on here, I had my doubts about the quality of the food versus the prices. I ordered a taco with beef tongue, sope with charizo and a side of rice. This stuff was DELICIOUS. They have some very great ingredients if you don’t want your typical chicken, pork and meat! The cow tongue was so tender and it tasted like it should (if you’ve never had it — GET SOME! It’s best compared to roast beef — but so much better)! They served us with tortilla chips and salsa too (complimentary) and their salsa is fantastic! I think it is made with beans. It wasn’t very sweet, and I swear I tasted something like beans while eating it. I couldn’t hardly stop! Like others have said, they make their tortillas and such from scratch. They are delicious! Their re-​fried beans are made from black beans and are excellent also! I honestly am not a fan of re-​fried beans. but this place is doing it right.
My boyfriend got himself puspusas with beans and haurache with charizo. He really enjoyed his food and told me the extras the puspusas came with were really delicious (some pickled vegetables and a dipping sauce).
So why didn’t I give this place 5 stars? Because I’ve only been there once. I will be going back to try more, and as I try the rest of their menu I will make an update here! :)
Also, I noticed they had a buffet area set out. but when I asked what time they served it, to my understanding, they have shut it down. I was really disappointed to find that out, but it makes sense if they weren’t making enough money from it. I’m going to try and go back around lunch times and double check their buffet isn’t open, because if it was I’d love to try it.

Empenadas, Tacos and Quesadillas! These are three of my favorite things.
As a lover of mexican style food and tacos in general I could not resist giving Taqueria El Oasis a try when I saw it nestled unassumingly in the strip near Party Town. Man am I glad I did. This is now my go to spot when I have that taco or mexican food craving, nothing else can satisfy quite the same. The tortillas always taste freshly made, like I sometimes make at home, but better. The chicken empanada is a sinful, deep fried pocket of deliciousness. The filling for the tacos always taste fresh and delicious and the quesadillas are a fantastic option. The best surprise came when I received the bill, I could hardly believe just how cheap it was to fill my belly. I dare you to try to find more authentic tasting food for the price. If you love «mexican» food, do yourself a favor and head to the Oasis for lunch or dinner today, you will be glad you did.

I was disappointed when the Taqueria Mercado in Florence closed, and as if an answer to a prayer I stumbled across Taqueria El Oasis. Not to be repetitive to the other reviews, but it is delicious, decidedly not Tex Mex, a refreshing change to every place else around here. The toung taco was awesome, and the red chili marinated pork taco was spicy and deeply flavorful.
If you’re looking for more meat options than Chicken or Beef, this is the place to come. Chicken, beef, tripe, toung, chorizo, jerky, fish, pork, ummm. yum.

Great food. The Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla was delicious. Love the ripe plantains. Great to have a Latino restaurant serving something other than tex-​mex. Papusa with cheese is so reminiscent of Venezuelan arepas. I highly recommend this place.

Do not come here for ambience, come here for good food.
I highly recommend the following:
chili pork or chorizo tacos
fried plantains
chicken empanadas
horchata
The only thing I didn’t like was the pork torta, which had too much chewy fat.
Authentic and fresh, the food is not what you’ll find at most «Mexican» restaurants.

I just ate there for the first time today. Having been to Mexico a few times, it was reminiscent of where many of the local taxi drivers would eat as the food was quick and beyond delicious. I had the spicy pork tacos and a chicken empanada. The tortillas appear to be freshly made, the pork was certainly marinated for a long while as the flavor really came through, and the empanada was perfectly prepared (light, crisp, and soft). I will eat here frequently because the food is F-​A-​N-​T-​A-​S-​T-​I-​C-​!-!-!
Also, to address a previous review, the menu is in English.