We don't really care to enter the debate what is authentic Mexican food and what's not.  We like home grown recipes from Mexico, and we also enjoy the Americanized versions of Mexican food.  Both have a place in our stomachs.  After several years away from these pages, we are back to dining reviews in the Weekly Volcano.  And we celebrate our return with an overview of Mexican restaurants that we adore in the South Sound.

JAKE:  I have a sinking feeling that the minute I mention a taco truck I frequent and prefer, readers will shout at these pages that I'm an idiot, and then list off their favorite taco truck.  I like Sonia's Taco Truck on 6th Avenue in Tacoma.  Sonia's offers an impressive selection of Mexican delights, such as the wet burrito filled with seasoned chicken, pork or beef with all the traditional fixings and smothered in red sauce.  Sonia's also offers indoor seating, which means I can eat tacos and burritos all year long.

JASON: Vuelve A La Vida on Pacific Avenue around 56th Street is the "most" authentic Mexican restaurant in the South Sound.  Not only will you find delicious bowls of menudo and mole, it's one of the few places to find goat. Goat is as Mexican as it gets, especially inside a taco created on the tough streets of Pacific Avenue near east Tacoma. Vuelve A La Vida serves a marinated goat taco that puts the olé in your day. The birria (meat stew) tastes mellow and arrives in chunks on soft corn tortillas with cilantro and white onions sprinkled on top. Those worried about pungent goat flavor may wade into the meat here with little concern, but only the traces of fat on the birria tastes even close to strong. These tacos could be pot roast if you didn't know the difference.

Street tacos from Fiesta in Puyallup keep us coming back for more. Photo credit: Jake de Paul
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JAKE: Taco trucks are not the only place to get great street food.  Fiesta Taqueria and Tequila Bar in Puyallup offers terrific street tacos by the single order.  I like that I can grab a house-made margarita and fill a plate with however many tacos I think I can handle.  Choose from asada, adobada, pollo, chorizo, or carnitas topped with cilantro, fresh onions and guacamole for just $2.25 each. Add rice and beans if you are really hungry.

JASON: Like it hot? The Matador in downtown Tacoma is a flirtatious Tex-Mex spot. It's sexy. It's spicy. It's ohmigawd spicy with quality, fresh ingredients and interesting combinations. They have a ridiculously large selection of tequila options, too. And it serves food into the wee hours.  I love the group bar with a fire pit in the middle, and the low lighting makes this a fun, romantic setting.  

Pupusas may be from El Salvadore, but they are still worthy of a food we love from south of the U.S. Border. Photo credit: Jake de Paul
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JAKE: I couldn't possibly talk about south of the border fare without mentioning the pupusas at El Pulgarcito in Lakewood.  Okay, they aren't Mexican, they are actually from El Salvador, but who cares. These handmade corn tortillas are stuffed with your choice of meats and cheeses and then pan fried until all the flavors become one magnificent dish that must be included in this discussion.

Have your own favorite spot?  Tell us on Facebook at the Weekly Volcano.

SONIA'S TACO TRUCK, 2516 6th Ave., Tacoma

FIESTA TAQUERIA AND TACO BAR, 506 N. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.445.6525, www.fiestataqueriaandtequilabar.com

EL PULGARCITO, 8534 S. Tacoma Way, 253.582.2212

VUELVA A LA VIDA, 5310 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.473.7068

THE MATADOR, 721 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.7100