For LaTerraza manager Eduardo Garcia, restaurants are a family business.
For more than 20 years, his family has owned and operated Mexican restaurants in the Hampton Roads area. About a year ago, they opened a location in Williamsburg.
On a recent evening, his staff bustled around the restaurant, which was decked out with colorful holiday lights and even a spinning, musical Christmas tree.
The smell of one of La Terraza signature dishes, fajitas, filled the open space of the restaurant, which is set up with cozy booths, tables and a central bar with frozen margaritas in two flavors churning away in machines
At one table, a waiter mashed up an avocado to mix with fresh ingredients for guacamole. As a round of diners filled the restaurant, Garcia greeted and help seat them.
What makes La Terraza different, Garcia said, is the unique chipotle, spinach, tequila cream and other sauces it uses for its dishes and the fresh ingredients they use. The restaurant makes its own chorizo and uses fresh spinach, onions and tomatoes covered with a white cheese sauce.
“You’ll find stuff on our menu you that you won’t find at other Mexican restaurants,” Garcia said. “We have some of the usual dishes, but with a more upscale flavor.”
For those new to the restaurant, he suggests Burrito Espinaca, burritos with chicken and spinach for lunch and the Burrito San Jose, a burrito stuffed with grilled chicken and chorizo or Mexican sausage.
Another popular dish at La Terraza is it’s special, grilled chicken and steak sautéed with onions covered with cheese sauce.
His staff was in high spirits, with the news that they’d been voted a Williamsburg-area favorite. Garcia said it feels amazing to be recognized and like the hard work he and his staff put in has paid off.
“We thank everyone for voting for us,” Garcia said “We’re blessed to be here and to be able to serve this community.”
Reach Canty at (757) 345-2341.
