When Jesús Quiñones emigrated from Jalisco, a state in Mexico, 13 years ago, he never expected that he would be opening a restaurant in Minot, ND, but that is exactly what happened in November of last year. After working in the food industry for many years, Jesús decided that it was time to open his own restaurant and after discussing it with his family, he found a location that couldn’t be beat and opened Don Tapatio, located at 7 1st St SE in downtown Minot. The restaurant is truly a family partnership and anyone who walks in the door can feel that family atmosphere immediately.
The passion for serving authentic Mexican food is at the heart of Don Tapatio. Each family recipe is tested and tried to ensure only the best food is served to each customer. The kitchen staff starts preparing food at 6 am each morning and they make everything fresh each day. The hard work behind the scenes is what makes the food special and true to their family heritage.
One of their most popular menu items are the birria tacos, which are made with tender shredded beef and melted cheese coated in sauce and pan fried until crispy. The made to order guacamole is flavorful and goes great with the crispy tortilla chips. They offer vegetarian options, which I can attest are delicious with a combination of vegetables seasoned in diabla sauce: onions, poblano pepper, yellow squash, pineapple, and mushrooms and can be made to order several different ways. Gluten free options are also available.
The set up of the restaurant is unique in that it occupies 3 floors and has room for family and small group seating on the first floor, a bar on the 2nd floor for 21 and older, and a 3rd floor that is open for group of 15+. If you are looking for a space to have a large group meal, contact the restaurant to reserve the 3rd floor dining space. The historic downtown building makes the dining atmosphere even more special as you are welcomed in with a mix of bright colors, wood tones, and painted brick.
If you are looking for a place to go for a date night, family meal, group dining experience, or appetizers out with friends, Don Tapatio is an excellent choice. With so many different menu options, there is something for everyone (and don’t forget to try out one of their gigantic margaritas, too!).
