DULUTH — Wednesdays are birria ramen days at Oasis Del Norte. So, after marking our calendars, my dining buddy and I jetted over to the peach and baby blue-painted building at 2401 W. Superior St.
I’d tried Oasis Del Norte a few times since its food truck launch in 2015, but this was my first visit to the
brick-and-mortar restaurant, which opened in September.
Inside, a bouquet branched out from a Don Julio tequila bottle. Flags in vibrant lime, yellow and red hung from the ceiling. Bright-turquoise wicker chairs added pops of color to the dining room floor.
Large TVs displayed menu items and meat choices: torta, walking tacos and a quesadilla with carnitas, pollo and lengua (beef tongue). Nopales (cactus strips) are the vegetarian option. Prices range from $14 for a platter to $5.50 for a side of rice and beans. You’re issued a number when you order.
I ordered the birria ramen and horchata. The latter is a scrumptious, sweet and light Mexican drink, made with rice milk, cinnamon and vanilla. It tastes like Cinnamon Toast Crunch milk. I was pleased to see it served with a sip-through lid.
ADVERTISEMENT
The birria ramen was served in a large bowl with a heaping portion of noodles and piles of tomatoes, cilantro, white onion and slow-cooked beef — all steeped in the savory birria sauce.
One order came with a sliced hard-boiled egg and the other came with a lime wedge. Upon request, we got more lime on the side, and my partner let me have the egg. I squeezed fresh lime juice and mixed everything before diving in.
The noodles and beef were cooked to perfection, but I found the overall flavor to be much milder than I would’ve liked. I would’ve gone with a hefty sprinkle of salt to bring out the flavors.
I saw too late that there’s a cart near the order pickup with accouterments like onions, chilies and housemade and store-bought sauces.
While the vibe and location are prime, this local spot may not be for me, and based on the steady stream of customers filtering through, that’s A-OK.