For St. Valentine’s Day, trying to find a unique and special restaurant to take your date to can be quite stressful. You want it to be unique, but you don’t want it to be too far out so you both end up losing your appetites. For some of you upperclassmen, I’m sure you would like to impress your dates by taking him or her someplace outside of the U District. You may want to appear cultured, or at least make it seem like you thought the night through. However, for some of us, venturing outside of familiar territory can be quite challenging. When you factor other issues into the problem, like how much you want to spend, the pickiness of you and your date, whether or not you’re both over 21, etc., you may lose hope. Fear not, my lovelies, for I have the perfect establishment that will surely impress both your date as well as your taste buds without putting a huge dent in your wallet.

Who doesn’t like Mexican food? Honestly, it’s a form of cuisine that can please any palate. However, there’s nothing quite like La Carta de Oaxaca. A teeny tiny hole in the wall on the corner of Ballard Ave and Market Street in Ballard, this traditional and modest establishment will leave you pleasantly surprised. This restaurant specializes in authentic Oaxacan food, noticeable for its unique sauces, eclectic recipes, and perfect proportions.

On a popular date night like Valentine’s, or even a regular Friday or Saturday evening, be prepared to wait at least an hour for a table. The reputation of this place is clearly visible during dining hours, so make sure you are willing to wait. (And let me just tell you now, it is most certainly worth it.)

When you and your date finally get a table, you must (and I repeat, must) get the tortilla chips with guacamole. It’s only $5, but I can assure you that you have never tasted stuff quite like this—melt-in-your-mouth delicious. There is also a salsa bar with five different varieties, ranging from mild to hot and pico de gallo. These sauces are perfect for upping your dish if you can handle a little more spice.

For those of you over 21, they have a full bar, and provide patrons with all sorts of imported Mexican beers like Dos Equis (for only $4) as well as traditional mixed cocktails like their homemade sangria, which is very tasty.

Now, on to the entrées. Glancing at the menu, you will recognize some common Mexican dishes like enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas. You should note, however, the way that they are prepared. A lot of the meals are fried and a lot of them come smothered in sauces. The enchiladas, for example, are covered with a slightly sweet, red chili sauce and fried egg. I don’t know about you but I’ve never seen that before. But they are delicious. The sweetness of the sauce is not overpowering, but it is surprising, in a good way. Another entrée that is full of flavor is the tacos fritos. Similarly shaped to the microwavable taquitos you can buy at the grocery store, these are larger, handmade and stuffed with meat. Beware, the portions are slightly small, so if you and your date are particularly hungry this evening, I suggest getting a third dish to share. This shouldn’t hurt your budget too much as the most expensive plate on the menu doesn’t exceed $10. The house specialty, the mole negro oaxaqueno, is as tasty as it is different. A choice of pork or chicken, the meat is tenderly cooked and comes slathered in mole sauce, created with chili peppers and chocolate. It comes with small tortillas and white rice and it’s definitely a must for any couple that wishes to be a little more adventurous.

La Carta de Oaxaca is located on 5431 Ballard Ave NW in Ballard. If you are without a vehicle, bus route 44 takes you directly down Market St, where there’s a stop near Ballard Ave.