By SU STELLA/For The Herald — I will never forget the day I met Miguel Perez.
He was working as a long-haul trucker and I was working retail. He walked into the store, and before I noticed his towering height, I saw his smile.
Our initial conversation was like two old friends reuniting, not strangers. In the end he made his purchases and left me with a tip and garlic. Yes, garlic, he was heading to the restaurant next door and at times he brought his own ingredients.
Little did anyone guess that a few years later he would open Miguel’s Tacos in the very same location on Highway 58 in Oakridge.
Miguel’s Tacos is a family-run business that specializes in Cal-Mex food using the family’s own recipes.
Like many close-knit families, the Perez family celebrations were surrounded by home-cooked specialties. Along with these favorite recipes, Miguel had discovered new culinary influences during his years on the road, and these show up in his dishes.
Walking into the spacious restaurant you will be greeted by Alyssa, Miguel’s daughter. She came up from California for the summer before heading to college in Sacramento. She has a sweet smile and soft-spoken personality. She is always busy either taking phone orders, waiting tables or preparing your to-go meal.
The day of the interview Miguel and Catalina, his mom, were busy in the kitchen. Catalina was using the press to make fresh corn tortillas as Miguel was putting together several orders.
My favorite thing to do is call in my order for “Homemade Tortilla Taco Combo Plate” and then bring my lunch to Greenwaters Park or Osprey Park and sit by the river.
Their food may take a few more minutes than you expect but that is because it is being crafted by hand. While waiting, guests can enjoy the work of local artists on display at Miguel’s — especially the work of Oakridge artist Sissy Cutchen, who specializes in folk art employing the centuries-old technique of eglomise, the painting of glass on its reverse side.
The restaurant at 47670 Highway 58 is open noon to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The phone number is 541-782-2155 and you can find the menu online on Miguel’s Facebook site.
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