Las Americas Restaurant is tucked away in the middle of a strip mall, so it’s easy to miss, but don’t give up even if it takes a few double-backs to find it.

Yet, hole in the wall is not an apt description for this seemingly hidden from view establishment. Inside it’s friendly, warm and clean. While the décor didn’t offer much in the way of ambiance, rest assured the focus was on the food and service. There was lively music and two televisions featured Spanish-language programming.

We asked our patient, attentive server for recommendations since the menu was extensive. She offered several suggestions, which helped a little in our decision making. She raved about the enchiladas, sopa de tortilla (aka tortilla soup), fajitas and chile rellenos, among a few others.

I opted for the soup and two tacos ($14.49, plus $3.99 for the tacos when ordered together). It was served on a wooden platter etched with the restaurant’s name with the tacos on the side. This was one of the prettiest soups I’ve seen. The large bowl featured abundant pieces of avocado floating atop a tomato and chicken broth that hid shredded chicken, corn tortillas strips and gooey melted cheese beneath.

Each spoonful netted a little of the first two ingredients and way too much cheese. The latter made it a little difficult to eat since there was so much and it was an effort to sever the stretching cheese from the glob in the soup or risk trying to swallow too much. Next time I’ll ask for cheese on the side or for there to be less since it melted in the hot soup before I even tried my first taste.

A little of the soup spilled on the carnitas taco, so the corn tortillas didn’t hold up well. Still, there was plenty of shredded, well-seasoned pork to enjoy. Diced onions and cilantro, along with sliced lime and green salsa and the carne asada taco, were reminiscent of the street tacos experienced in Mexico.

The soup alone was a meal in itself; the tacos simply provided an opportunity to sample a little more of what Las Americas had to offer.

The chile relleno plate ($17.99) included rice, beans and tortillas. The two rellenos had a different look than most we’ve had elsewhere. They were flat rather than puffy with a fried battered coating, which can be too eggy. This meant the emphasis here was on the chile and cheese rather than the exterior.

Rice and beans should never be underestimated as simply plate fillers. The rice was above average with specks of grated carrot adding color. The beans were creamy and earthy.

The well-lit display case that greets diners at the restaurant’s entrance was filled with desserts, all made in-house. So I knew tres leches cake ($6) was in our future. We shared a piece of the vanilla tres leches (mocha was also available).  It was airy, rich, creamy and not overly sweet. In other words, it was a fine ending to a good meal.

Las Americas Restaurant

Mexican cuisine

Location: 1855 N. Circle Drive

Contact: 719-630-6466, eatlasamericas.com 

Prices: $3.99 to $27.49

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except  8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday

Details: Credit cards accepted. Wi-Fi.

Favorite dishes: Tacos and chile relleno.

Other: Gluten-free and vegan options available.