El Naranjo’s Iliana de la Vega Brings Traditional Flavors of Mexico to Austin
At El Naranjo—a bright and lively space at the bottom of an apartment complex in South Austin—diners sip on margaritas with fresh-squeezed lime juice on the rim. Tacos and queso grace the menu, and tortilla chips make their way to tables before the main course. But as owner and head chef Iliana de la Vega will tell you: This isn’t just another Tex-Mex establishment.
Ask any of the servers, each of whom is extensively trained on the origins of the dishes, and you’ll quickly learn the dinner restaurant exclusively serves traditional Mexican cuisine. Since 2012, El Naranjo has been offering dishes inspired by foods from de la Vega’s childhood and her professional career. “Mexico City is kind of the mecca for all things in Mexico,” she says. “Everything converges there.”
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Photos by Eric W. Pohl