Tacos At Lily's Mexican Market in Columbia

Tacos from Lily's Mexican Market

This was supposed to be the post where I told you that you can't find cactus at Wegmans.

Cactus makes great veggie tacos, and I recommend Lily's Mexican Market for the house-made tortillas and the chance to buy cactus, tomatillos, chorizo and other meat from the Mexican butcher.  I was going to make the point that you should go to Lily's because you can't buy catcus at Wegmans.

But you can buy cactus at Wegmans.  It's on the left wall near the scallions that I needed on Sunday.

Get some cactus too

So you should go to Lily's because you can't buy tacos anywhere else in Columbia like these.  Lily's Mexican Market is a small grocery with snacks and baked goods in the front, several rows of packaged and canned goods like chipotle peppers, then the butcher and taco counter in the back.  

The tacos are $2.50 each with a discount if you buy three with rice and beans.  Last Friday, there were six varieties at lunch time -- variations on slow-cooked pork, chicken, beef and lamb.  I went with pork and lamb.

The Lily's tacos are large and saucy.  I always split the meat between two tortillas.  The lamb sauce soaked through quickly, and I was grabbing napkins as quickly as I was eating the meat.  The toppings are onions, cilantro and a guacamole spread.  Overall, it's a grand lunch.  I can't say that it knocks off R&R Taqueria in Elkridge or Tere's Latin Market in Ellicott City, but it's definitely worth checking out, especially with a Mexican Coca-Cola or a tamarind soda right out of the fridge.

For a home version, check out the recipe for cactus tacos on this prior post.  Lily sells everything you need -- especially fresh tortillas.  Omit the chorizo to make it vegetarian.  Consider buying some tomatillos, cutting them in half, then cooking them on a hot pan until they soften.  Then blend or process with garlic and onion.  They make a great salsa.  For more, check out Rick Bayless' Mexican Everyday.

Lily's Mexican Market
6490 Dobbin Center Way
Columbia, MD 21045
410-772-5459

NEAR: The DMV off Dobbins Road just south of Rte 175. Look for the intersection with a Blockbuster. The shopping center with the DMV, Lily's and Sushi Kingrestaurant is across Dobbins from the Blockbuster.

Take Out Tacos at Lily's Mexican Market

Lily's Mexican Market now leads the parade of Howard County taco trucks.

Ok, so Lily's isn't actually a truck. It's one of the best ethnic markets around. But the takeout counter that Lily's opened with its fresh tortilla machine transforms a great place for groceries into a spectacular place to stop for a quick meal.

The tacos are a touch more expensive than El Nayar or the trucks on U.S. 1 like Pupuseria Lorenita's in Elkridge and Pupuceria Y Taqueria Los Pinos in Laurel. But for $2.50, you get a much larger taco -- meat filing, vegetables, salsa, and two of Lily's warm tortillas. Three was honestly too much in one sitting. These are simple fare, but I loved the carne asada and the pork carnitas. The barbacoa at Lily's is barbequed meat more like pulled pork than the chopped steak that you get at other taco joints.

They're an easy lunch for $7 -- two tacos and a drink. Lily's has Mexican sodas in the cooler, but it also has horchata and tamarind drink in fountain dispenser across from the takeout stand. The horchata was a nice diversion, although I think the metal cart outside the U.S. 1 flea market was a touch creamier. If you have the interest, you should definitely sample the tacos around town.

Lily's also does takeout chickens -- quarters and halves. You can build yourself a great takeout dinner with some avocados from the produce area or maybe some chorizo from Lily's butcher. You can pair it all with one of the lightly sweet pastries near the entrance for dessert.

While you're waiting for your food, check out Lily's aisles, including the jars of yellow aji peppers.  If you like tacos, consider buying cactus in Lily's produce section for easy cactus tacos.  If you like Mexican food, definitely check out El Azteca in Clarksville or La Palapa Too in Laurel.   If you are looking for great takeout dinners, try Lotte in Ellicott City for the makings of a Korean feast.

(Update: I had an old address here. Lily's is at 6490 Dobbin -- in the same shopping center as the DMV.)

Lily's Mexican Market
6490 Dobbin Center Way
Columbia, MD 21045
410-772-5459

NEAR: The DMV off Dobbins Road just south of Rte 175. Look for the intersection with a Blockbuster. The shopping center with the DMV, Lily's and Sushi King restaurant is across Dobbins from the Blockbuster.