Thinking about traveling across the border for some authentic Mexican food? You only have to travel as far as Broad Ripple.

La Piedad has authentic style Mexican food and an atmosphere that places guests right in the heart of Mexico. Mariachi music is softly played overhead and the restaurant is decorated with colorful flags and serapes.

Along with a welcoming indoor environment, outdoor seating is available during the warmer seasons in a cottage-like setting that overlooks the Monon Trail.

On a Saturday night during dinner hours, seating is almost instantly available, even when the restaurant looks full. Since La Piedad is family owned, the service is exceptionally quick and friendly. Everyone is greeted with a smile by the employees.

Lunch and dinner are both served, but lunch is highly recommended and will be easier on your wallet, too.

The menu offers many different choices for all kinds of tastes varying from chili rellenos, enchiladas of all kinds or even the basic quesadilla.

The complimentary tortilla chips and salsa that are brought to the table before you order is enough to keep you coming back.

One of the best things for lunch is the taco salad and a side of queso for the warm tortilla chips that come out freshly baked. My personal lunch favorite are their beef tacos which are the perfect portion size for a light lunch.

Dinner doesn’t quite break the bank, either, and is usually under $10 a person.

The options are endless when it comes to the dinner menu. The combination dinners offer a variety of three combinations of your favorites, like an enchilada, a taco and a chimichanga for one available option.

I highly recommend the Burrito La Piedad which comes with your choice of chicken or beef. When ordering, ask for cheese sauce on the burrito which complements the main course nicely.

I enjoyed the dinner menu specifically because the dinners come with a side of rice and refried beans at no extra cost. As a college student, I take what I can get.

Dessert is also a must when dining at any authentic Mexican restaurant because fried ice cream is like heaven in a sundae bowl. At first it may sound strange, but fried ice cream has a cinnamon type flavor and melts instantly in your mouth.

Whether going just to have a few drinks with some friends or to have lunch with the family, La Piedad will not disappoint any Mexican food lover’s taste buds and doesn’t cost as much as a flight to Mexico.

La Piedad is located on the corner of E. Coil St. and at 6524 Cornell Ave.