Inventive, up-tempo Mexican cuisine is the theme at Modesto, the brainchild of Baton Rouge restaurateur Ozzie Fernandez, who also brought us Izzo’s, Lit Pizza and Rocca. Modesto teases palates with texturally balanced street tacos, scratch-made red chile tamales, chicken tinga and skirt steak enchiladas, fajitas and more. The drinks menu, awash in margaritas, cocktails and tequilas, is as big as the food lineup. 

Fernandez recruited Chef Cara Peterson from New Orleans chef Alon Shaya’s restaurant group to lead culinary operations. Among the spot’s curated tacos, don’t miss the beef cheek barbacoa, in which tender grass-fed cheek is braised and paired with fresh cilantro, diced white onion, queso fresco, tomatillo salsa and sliced radishes. Peterson calls it a hidden gem, and a staff favorite. Here, the barbacoa taco is pictured at left along with the chorizo and egg taco, one of nearly a dozen other options on the taco menu.

Modesto Tacos Tequila Whiskey
3930 Burbank Dr.
(225) 478-0860
eatmodesto.com

Hours:
Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.