The Latin-flavored cuisine of Woodland
Woodland, like so many agricultural towns in California’s Central Valley, has a large population of Latinos — nearly 50 percent of 56,500 — and an abundance of restaurants reflecting that demographic. Many of the restaurants are family-owned and prepare foods from the state or region the family came from, such as Jalisco, Nayarit and Guanajuato; and more than a few use family recipes.
A drive down Main Street and one block over on Court Street will show you at least a dozen places to choose from, and venturing a bit farther out onto East Street, Gibson Road and Sixth Street will expand the number to nearly 20. They range from grab-and-go taquerias to sit-down restaurants with full-service bars and occasional entertainment.
Residents here have a real affection for their Mexican restaurants. “Having been raised near Woodland, and having lived here as an adult for over 20 years, I think that I have taken for granted all of the great Mexican restaurants in Woodland,” says Mary Kimball. “There’s something for everybody.”
Look for big bowls of homestyle pozole and menudo on the weekends and seafood specialties, especially from Nayarit- and Jalisco-style restaurants. Choices of fillings or toppings for tortas, burritos and tacos range from carnitas to lengua (tongue) barbacoa and al pastor (spicy marinated pork in sauce), and, in at least once instance, nopales.
Here are some local favorites: