Taqueria "El Paraiso" is one of those restaurants that face the street, that feature both indoor and outdoor seating, one jump above a street vendor or a puesto.  Taqueria "El Paraiso: is a good place to be if you like to watch things: People, pigeons, traffic and the weeds growing out of the roof of the building that's situated across the street. Located at the corner of Calle Hildalgo and Calle Matamoros, in a corner of the famous Mercado Zaragosa, Taqueria Paraiso has an excellent location.

Left:  Parking is scarce in downtown Reynosa, and its too bad that fine Dodge truck partially obscured the view of Taqueria "El Paraiso."  Right:  El Paraiso is located at the corner of Calle Matamoros and Calle Hidalgo.

We walked in and sat down at a table, and were greeted immediately by a friendly server by the name of Teo. Taqueria Paraiso is unique in that there is a fruit juice operation to your left, while the kitchen and counter for the restaurant is to the right. Teo took our orders and after a wait of only a few minutes our meal arrived.

You ask about the food? In a word: Delicious!  The price of the meal? Suiper cheap!

Left:  The friendly cook waits for our order.  Right:  Teo fills our drinks from the juice stand, co-located in the restaurant.

Teo is quite a character. When Jerry asked him if he'd take a photo of us, he readily agreed.  Teo and I became soul-mates, as he speaks about as much English as I speak Spanish, so we were able to have quite a conversation. It seems that he does contract server work for Taqueria Paraiso during the busy hours, but his main source of income is a jewelry stand inside the Mercado, just outside the restaurant. When he's busy with restaurant patrons, he maintains a watchful eye on his jewelry, and he'll drop a restaurant patron to sell jewelry. But he told me that the rush hours on his jewelry and the restaurant are at opposites, therefore he's able to work both of them, and work them well he does. This guy is a real character and a hard-working entrepreneur.  When you dine at Taqueria Paraiso or visit the Mercado Zaragosa, a chat with Teo is a must. I didn't buy any of his jewelry, as it's not my thing, but if it was, I would have bought some from him.

Left:  Teo snaps this photo of us, from left to right:  Jerry, Edna, Sharlene, and yours truly.  Right:  We pour our cokes as we wait for our order of, what else... tacos.

When you're visiting the Mercado Zaragosa, Taqueria Paraiso is the place to eat.  Be sure to say "hola" to Teo for me.

Left:  Two local girls enjoying a fine meal.  Note the decor of the restaurant is tropical.  Right:  Teo shows us some of his fine jewelry.  He tried to sell us some, but none of us care for jewelry.  I almost purchased something, as Teo is a nice guy and a real character.