Vintage Variety: The Taffetas rides into the 2nd Street on a wave of nostalgia

The sauteed fish tacos with camerones at Jalapenos. Tucked away on a stretch of Greenwood Avenue a few blocks west of Pilot
Butte, Los Jalapeños is the kind of place that people like to think
they "discovered." This tiny taqueria housed in a small stucco yellow
building with a shingled roof, red chimney, green doors and a couple of
purple picnic tables on the side patio has that air of a hidden gem.
The narrow interior with salmon-pink plastered walls, a tropical-themed
fresco and a neon Budweiser sign with palm trees has fewer than 10
tables, which line one side of the room. On the other side, fake brick
wainscoting, a register window, drink machines and a large menu board
serve as a curtain behind which the kitchen hums with activity.

In
reality, Los Jalapeños is far from the buried treasure it is perceived
to be. It certainly has that charmingly scruffy appeal topped with an
ample helping of kitsch, and there is no doubt that you can get quality
fare for near hole-in-the-wall prices, but this taqueria is much more
of a mainstay than its loyal patrons would like to think. In fact,
established in 1996, it's practically old guard. A steady flow of
customers visit throughout the day for a line-up of traditional a la
carte taqueria offerings, including burritos ($3.50-$7.50), tacos
($2.95-$3.25), enchiladas ($5.50 for two), tostadas ($3.95) and the
like, as well as a selection of platters ranging from combo plates to
house specialties like Carne Asada ($10.95) and Chile Verde ($9.95),
pork in a green sauce with mushrooms, onions, cilantro and zucchini.

The sauteed fish tacos with camerones at Jalapenos. Tucked away on a stretch of Greenwood Avenue a few blocks west of Pilot
Butte, Los Jalapeños is the kind of place that people like to think
they “discovered.” This tiny taqueria housed in a small stucco yellow
building with a shingled roof, red chimney, green doors and a couple of
purple picnic tables on the side patio has that air of a hidden gem.
The narrow interior with salmon-pink plastered walls, a tropical-themed
fresco and a neon Budweiser sign with palm trees has fewer than 10
tables, which line one side of the room. On the other side, fake brick
wainscoting, a register window, drink machines and a large menu board
serve as a curtain behind which the kitchen hums with activity.

In
reality, Los Jalapeños is far from the buried treasure it is perceived
to be. It certainly has that charmingly scruffy appeal topped with an
ample helping of kitsch, and there is no doubt that you can get quality
fare for near hole-in-the-wall prices, but this taqueria is much more
of a mainstay than its loyal patrons would like to think. In fact,
established in 1996, it’s practically old guard. A steady flow of
customers visit throughout the day for a line-up of traditional a la
carte taqueria offerings, including burritos ($3.50-$7.50), tacos
($2.95-$3.25), enchiladas ($5.50 for two), tostadas ($3.95) and the
like, as well as a selection of platters ranging from combo plates to
house specialties like Carne Asada ($10.95) and Chile Verde ($9.95),
pork in a green sauce with mushrooms, onions, cilantro and zucchini.