Santa Maria Taqueria  //  Have you been craving authentic Mexican food in El Dorado County? Then head to Santa Maria Taqueria, located off Placerville Drive. You’ll find a full-service market inside, including a deli counter that sells a selection of fresh meats and cheeses, as well as hard-to-find Mexican and Latin American food staples (think spices, produce and pantry items) to recreate authentic dishes at home. The small taqueria tucked inside also serves up tasty eats to take out or enjoy at one of a handful of tables. The focused, no-fuss menu features tacos, burritos, tortas and quesadillas, as well as menudo and tamales on weekends, with protein choices that run the gamut from chicken and chorizo to fish, beef and pork (al pastor, carnitas or buche). It was their specialty, made-to-order Pupusa de Chicharron that won me over on my last visit. Stuffed with crispy pork and melted Monterey jack cheese inside a densely thick corn tortilla, Santa Maria serves theirs with a side of spicy tomato sauce and slightly tangy slaw of cabbage, carrot and radish. Though a meal in itself, don’t forget to leave some room for a colorful piece of Pan Dulce, baked in-house. Santa Maria Taqueria, 175 Placerville Drive, Suite A, Placerville, 530-295-8121.