Shreveport, Louisiana, known for its vibrant culinary scene, boasts a wide array of dining options. Among these, Mexican restaurants are particularly prevalent, making it a challenge for any newcomer to truly distinguish itself. However, Ki’ Mexico has not only risen to this challenge but has done so in a truly spectacular fashion, establishing itself as a must-visit destination for authentic Mexican food lovers in Shreveport.
Ki’ Mexico’s story began humbly in 2010 when Rodrigo Mondragon and his family started selling breakfast tacos from a tent at the downtown farmers market. Using just a couple of griddles, they quickly became a local sensation. Their freshly made salsa and delicious breakfast offerings led to long lines and ever-increasing demand. Expanding their menu beyond breakfast, Ki’ Mexico’s popularity continued to soar, solidifying their place in the Shreveport food scene.
Now, fourteen years later, the Mondragon family’s venture has blossomed into a wildly successful restaurant located at 3839 Gilbert Drive, Shreveport. If you’re searching for typical Tex-Mex fare, you might be in the wrong place. Ki’ Mexico carves its own path, offering a dining experience that goes beyond the usual cheese-laden, sour cream-topped dishes. Forget the mayonnaise-based pink dressing and sweet tea; Ki’ Mexico is about authentic, inventive, fresh, and consistently delicious food. Their social media aptly brands them as Ki’ Mexico “soul food,” and once you experience their unique approach to Mexican cuisine, you’ll understand why it truly feeds the soul.
On a sweltering Tuesday evening, the popularity of Ki’ Mexico was undeniable. The parking lot was bustling, and a steady stream of patrons flowed into the restaurant. By 7:30 p.m., both the indoor space and the covered patio were packed, filled with a diverse crowd ranging from families with infants to senior citizens. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, yet vibrant and festive, enhanced by live music on the patio. The dress code was equally laid-back, with tank tops, shorts, and flip-flops feeling perfectly at home.
While Ki’ Mexico largely steers clear of the heavy cheese focus found in many Mexican restaurants, they do offer a nod to this expectation with the Quesabrosa appetizer ($11.75). Described simply as “melted cheese served in a hot skillet,” this dish is anything but basic. You have the option to enhance it with chorizo or mushrooms, and naturally, we opted for the chorizo. The Quesabrosa arrives bubbling hot, topped with a roasted jalapeño and accompanied by warm flour tortillas. We devoured it with gusto, already planning our next order before remembering we had a full dinner ahead.
Moving onto the tacos, a must-try is the bestselling Poblano Taco ($5.73). Served on a delightfully grilled corn tortilla, it features poblano peppers, mushrooms, and corn, all cooked in a creamy sauce and topped with cheese, cilantro, and Ki’ Mexico’s signature “Diablo” salsa. A word of caution – or excitement – the Diablo salsa is the spiciest of Ki’ Mexico’s four exclusive salsas, delivering a pleasant kick without being overwhelming. My dining companion paired the Poblano with another menu staple, the Bisté Taco ($5.73). For the Bisté, you can choose between a corn or flour tortilla, which then gets filled with thinly sliced sirloin, chorizo, green onions, a touch of Diablo salsa, and cheese, finished with cilantro and onions. This taco is a consistent crowd-pleaser, and my companion, a long-time fan, remarked, “These never get old. We don’t come here often enough.” Beyond these, Ki’ Mexico offers a wide array of street-style tacos, including fish and shrimp options, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
Ki’ Mexico’s extensive menu extends beyond tacos, featuring salads, Tortugas (Mexican sandwiches), tostadas, appetizers, and enticing weekly specials. Tuesday nights at Ki’ Mexico are particularly noteworthy. While once known as “Ramen Tuesday,” it has evolved into “Noodle Tuesday,” sometimes featuring pho, the Vietnamese rice noodle soup. While their other weekly specials are reliably available on their designated days, it’s best to check ahead to see if noodles are on the menu for any given Tuesday. This unique fusion offering has gained such a following that Ki’ Mexico hosts three seatings for their noodle special, starting hourly at 5:30 p.m. To partake, you must claim a ticket upon arrival, as tickets are limited and sell out quickly. Fortunately, I secured a ticket and eagerly anticipated the Spicy Chicken Pho ($17.50). This dish is a flavorful blend of cultures, featuring locally sourced chicken from Mahaffey Farms, Thai basil, cilantro, fresh onions, lime, and a spicy Satay-style paste that adds an extra layer of complexity and heat. The result is a delightful Mexican-Vietnamese-Indonesian-Thai fusion that truly works. The pho was outstanding, delivering a satisfying kick and a vibrant explosion of flavors.
To cool down after the spicy pho, Helado ($6.00), Ki’ Mexico’s housemade ice cream, was the perfect choice. Offering four flavors, my companion chose the Helado Las Hadas – a creamy blend of buttermilk and queso fresco ice cream swirled with homemade raspberry jam. As a mango enthusiast, I opted for the Helado Tropical, a refreshing pineapple ice cream infused with Thai basil and lemongrass, and mixed with passion fruit and mango. The Las Hadas was rich, sweet, and classically ice cream-like, while the Tropical presented more like a tangy, almost sherbet-like treat. Both were exceptional, leaving us scraping the bowls clean and wanting more.
Throughout our meal, the service was top-notch. Our server was attentive, friendly, and patiently answered all our questions with a smile, striking the perfect balance of attentiveness without being intrusive.
The total for our dinner, before tax and tip, came to a very reasonable $52.71. Considering the quality and generous portions of food, Ki’ Mexico offers outstanding value for money.
Ki’ Mexico is more than just a restaurant; it’s a testament to the hard work and passion of a local family. Owner Rodrigo Mondragon was present during our visit, personally overseeing operations and ensuring everything ran smoothly. From its humble beginnings at the farmers market to its current success, Ki’ Mexico’s journey is truly inspiring. With family members working alongside Rodrigo, they have created a restaurant that consistently delivers memorable meals and cultivates a loyal customer base.
For an exceptional dining experience that goes beyond typical Mexican fare, Ki’ Mexico in Shreveport earns the highest recommendation: Four Forks. It’s a fabulous Four Forks experience that you won’t want to miss.
