A Mexico City-Style Taqueria and Churreria Fires Up Its Mesquite Grill in Ventura

Asada tacos. Mothers Tacos will serve churros, al pastor tacos, and more at its Ventura location Ventura will soon have a new destination for Mexico City-style tacos and churros. Napa-based taqueria Mothers Tacos is opening an outpost in the city on April 22, serving tacos al pastor, mesquite-grilled meats, margaritas, and churros inspired by Churrería El Moro.

This is the second location for Mothers and the first outside of Napa.Mothers Tacos was first opened by Charles Whittaker, Benedict “Ben” Koenig, and Ali Koenig in 2023. The Napa taqueria quickly gained a cult following for its build-your-own micheladas, wood-fired meats served in tacos, and some of the region’s best al pastor, shaved off the trompo into awaiting tortillas.



Even in the greater Bay Area, which has no shortage of taquerias, Mothers stood out for its modern Mexican cooking and for serving plenty of vegan options alongside chicharron-topped fries, pozole rojo, and horchata. The name takes inspiration from the doñas of Mexico City, who inspired the Koenigs as they juggled caring for a family while working. “It’s a younger, hipper, kind of badass, edgy mother that we want to try to represent,” he says.

“It’s those mothers that we saw in Mexico City working with kids and trying to make a living.” Interior of Mothers. Spread of dishes at Mothers.

Oxnard-born chef Gabe Garcia (Tierra Sur, Highly Likely) helms the kitchen at the Ventura location, expanding on Mothers’ offerings in Napa. For dinner, Koenig recommends starting with a few entradas like chicharron or elote, paired with mariscos like aguachile de pulpo or grilled octopus. Oysters are also served as a crudo, grilled, or in shots with tequila and hot sauce.

Koenig encourages family-style dining and points to Majordomo, David Chang’s Arts District restaurant, as a format he wants to replicate. For Koenig, tacos would come next. Leaning into its Mexico City roots, Mothers offers al pastor and carne asada cooked over mesquite.

Tender suadero is topped with cilantro and onion, and an Okinawan sweet potato taco comes with quinoa, caramelized onions, and radish. A classic hongo taco with sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, cheese, onion, and cilantro rounds out the lineup. The tacos are available on their own or as part of a three-taco plate, which comes with rice and beans.

Larger mains are comprised of family-style dishes that serve three to four, alongside plates for one. While the original Napa location offers a handful of plates, the family-style dining is exclusive to Ventura. For a group, order the slow-roasted pork belly “lechon” or the mesquite-grilled tomahawk, a signature of Garcia’s.

Other shareables include amply portioned duck carnitas, pescado asado, and lamb shank barbacoa. Each family-style dish comes with rice, beans, tortillas, salsas, and taco garnishes. Smaller platos classicos, meant to feed one, expand the dinner options with carne asada, chicken mole, fish tacos, lamb ribs, and calabacitas (sauteed squash).

Finish with freshly fried churros, dusted in plain or cinnamon sugar; these can also be served in a sundae with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Diners can pair dessert with a Mexican hot chocolate, French press coffee, or a cafe de olla martini. The lunch menu at Mothers mirrors dinner closely, minus the family-style meals.

Mothers Ventura was designed by Mexico City firm Gospel Studio. “Our restaurant should feel very different from what I think most Mexican restaurants, or what people stateside are accustomed to,” Koenig says. “We have a lot of natural materials, wood, furniture, and poured concrete table tops.

” The restaurant looks like it could be at home in Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighborhood with a minimalist interior and plants dotting the dining room. A bright red backsplash catches the eye with contrasting gray and light wood furnishings. Seating options include a long bar, shared central table, and a handful of four-tops.

Koenig says the team worked hard to infuse the space with warm, inviting elements.Although the opening process encountered some delays with construction, Koenig is just excited for the restaurant to start welcoming Ventura locals. “I’m really optimistic,”’ Koenig says.

“Hopefully we have found something that people might want in LA proper, Huntington Beach, or elsewhere.” Mothers is located at 1177 E. Thompson Boulevard, Suite 101, Ventura, CA 93001, and will be open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.

m. to 9 p.m.

From Thursday to Saturday, expect late-night hours for tacos and cocktails. Ceviche. Chicharron.

Chips and guacamole. Grilled oysters. Asada tacos.

Al pastor tacos. Rib-eye. Pork belly.

Churros. Mothers..