Mexican Food Top Picks!

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (kaszeta)

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:33:35 GMT

My work has me regularly traveling to Yuma, AZ, and most of my coworkers detest going there. I love it, since there are literally dozens of excellent and extremely cheap Mexican places (mostly carts). Nothing like a good aqua fresca, a handful of good fresh tacos (lengua, cabeza, asada, pollo) and some beans for under $10.

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (glenda Palmer)

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:37:34 GMT

My favorite Mexican Restaurant is in Hernando, MS about 15 miles going south from Memphis. Le Siesta is a small restaurant and the best food and service you will find anywhere around. Just about two or three blocks off interstate. Their salsa is wonderful and so is their chile relenos.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (IntelligentT82)

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:40:43 GMT

One of my favorite Mexican Food Picks is Guapo's Fine Mexican Restaurants of the DC/MD/VA area. I think the pics speak for themselves (see below)

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (PapaJoe8)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:11:20 GMT

I wasn't sure Lochwood was still there. It been years since I went by.

Mariano's dad worked at the El Chico in Lakewood.

I was googling around and found a nice D Mag article about El Finix, El Chico, and the history of Tex Mex. I was looking for the original location of El Chico. They showed a pic of the building on Oak Lawn. The Lakewood location was #2 and opened in 1949. The mom of the founding sons started by selling chili and tamales at the Kaufman County Fair. There is an El Chico in Austrailia now.
Joe

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Bhops)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:25:07 GMT

PapaJoe8

I used to save my lawn mowing money and ride my bike to El Chico in Lakewood. I would order 2 orders of Enchiladas, 3 per order.. no rice no beans. I started doing that when I was about 8.

The father of Mariano Martinez, who started Mariano's... and is said to have invented the frozen Margarita, worked at the Lakewood location. I never worked at that location but my family and I ate there right before it closed. The El Chico in Lochwood, on Garland Rd., is where I worked.
Joe

Oh, new page... we are talking about the El Chico in the Lakewood area of Dallas Texas yall.

I go to that Home Depot in lochwood. I think I remember hearing about Mariano workign at that el chico.

Mariano's was always good too, althoguh I never had a margarita there.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (PapaJoe8)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:15:36 GMT

I used to save my lawn mowing money and ride my bike to El Chico in Lakewood. I would order 2 orders of Enchiladas, 3 per order.. no rice no beans. I started doing that when I was about 8.

The father of Mariano Martinez, who started Mariano's... and is said to have invented the frozen Margarita, worked at the Lakewood location. I never worked at that location but my family and I ate there right before it closed. The El Chico in Lochwood, on Garland Rd., is where I worked.
Joe

Oh, new page... we are talking about the El Chico in the Lakewood area of Dallas Texas yall.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Bhops)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:45:00 GMT

PapaJoe8

Sounds like you know your food Bhops! Again, thanks for tha tips. I worked as a cook for El Chico back when they could compete w/ El Fenix. They just got tooo big.
Joe

did you work at the original el chico in lakewood (I think)? It's now a cantino laredo, which personally I can't stand.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Bhops)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:43:58 GMT

PapaJoe8

Sounds like you know your food Bhops! Again, thanks for tha tips. I worked as a cook for El Chico back when they could compete w/ El Fenix. They just got tooo big.
Joe

too bad that place in west tawakoni shut down. I got a brother that lives out in that direction now.

Oh, another awesome mexican food place is up in Lindsey, Texas, between Muenster and Gainsville. It's called Zuno's. Nothing crazy, just straightforward, super fresh tex-mex. It's way off the beaten path, but good if you happen to find yourself in tht area.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (PapaJoe8)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:31:33 GMT

Sounds like you know your food Bhops! Again, thanks for tha tips. I worked as a cook for El Chico back when they could compete w/ El Fenix. They just got tooo big.
Joe

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Bhops)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:20:56 GMT

Sol's Taco Lounge on Mockingbird had really thin sliced tenderloin for carne asada when it first opened, and some really good cheese potatoes, but it's not that good anymore.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Bhops)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:15:04 GMT

Thanks! I love El Fenix. I grew up on that stuff. The downtown one is my favorite as well. That's a great story about your dad. I also like all of the texmex dives off Maple, including Herrara's, Escondido's (off Butler), Rositas, Avilas, etc.

I go to Matt's El Rancho for the chili relleno (with the tomatillo sauce) and the chicken fried steak.

El Ranchito in Bishop's Art's district is awesome as well. Their flaming (tequila) queso with the piccadillo meat is good stuff. I forget what it is called on the menu.

Seriously though, I was not expecting much from the Chili Pepper, but a bearded old man at the gas station told us to go there... "that girl can cook" he said. And she could. It probably helps that we had been hiking all day and worked up quite the appetite.

La Kiva is quite the dive, also in Study Butte. Lots of character, and food is pretty good.

One place I've been wanting to try is the Food Shark in marfa...

Marfa has some interesting stops. Some tex-mex, some not.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (PapaJoe8)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:07:09 GMT

OKC, hard to find Carne Asada made w/ thin sliced tenderloin. There was a place in West Tawakoni Tx. that served it but they are now closed. It was real good.

Bhops, welcome to Roadfood! Nice tip and if I ever get that far south again I will remember it. How bout some Dallas places? The downtown El Finix is one I mention around here. Some say that is where Tex Mex started. My dad took me there as a kid 50+ years ago. He and Alfred Martinez were both WW2 pilots. Other than a few new dishes the food has stayed the same.
Joe

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Bhops)

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:37:03 GMT

Anybody been to Chili Pepper Cafe in Study Butte, Texas (near Big Bend)?

If you don't mind the flys (dining outside) or cigarette smoke (dining inside), those were the best fajitas I have ever had.

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Foodbme)

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:09:54 GMT

Gumbo191

Ranch Market - Phoenix!

I second that emotion! They have several in the Valley now. Which one are you referring to? Checked their web site and they actually have 7 in the Phoenix area. I was in the #7 store in Mesa just after it opened few months ago and talk about a Mexican Food Lovers Heaven! You name an ingredient - They have it!

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Gumbo191)

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:10:13 GMT

Ranch Market - Phoenix!

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (1bbqboy)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:08:12 GMT

We have wonderful Carne asada at La Tapatia in Phoenix, Oregon.
Previously reported on By the Chips family.....

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Born in OKC)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:10:39 GMT

This is further to my note about carne asada just above. I should also have said that I've seen carne asada on a lot of menus and ordered it often enough to expect dissappointment. For one thing the meat was always tough. But I just came across a cookbook by Jamison, Border Cookbook and it has a recipe for carne asada that might be what I was served. Basically it is beef tenderloin sliced thin (1/8 th inch thick) and tossed with minced garlic, ground toasted cumin, and fresh ground black pepper. It is to be cooked (grilled) for no more than 1-1/2 minutes per side.

It is served with "salsa mexican" on the side and the normally reliable author does not give a recipe, at least that is cited in the index. It is stated that the recipe may have originated in Tampico, so I'd be glad to hear what salsa(s) are associated with that city, or a recipe for salsa mexicana. Or maybe it just means your favorite salsa?

Re:Mexican Food Top Picks! (Born in OKC)

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:36:27 GMT

I was a teenager traveling with my parents on vacation and we were in Mexico City and probably we were in a hotel dining room or maybe a nice restaurant. It was fifty plus years ago and I remember my meal, but not the location.

It was a beef entree and called carne asada: on the menu. In this case the meat was thin slices of tender beef, cooked quickly but through and plated just wet with a piquant sauce. The meat might have been rib eye trimmed of all fat and I think the pieces were no bigger than one inch by two. I don't believe the meat was marianted before cooking. Fantastic. Obviously very memorable.

I have eaten in Mexican and Tex-Mex and border restaurants in this country and Mexico often since and never found another dish named carne asada that was comparable. I have come to relish beef fajitas but they are quite different.

I welcome comments about similar beef dishes that others have had.

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (DLnWPBrown)

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:06:45 GMT

Twinwillow

Yes, great sign!

... and $3 sangria!!!!!

Dennis in Cary

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (Scorereader)

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:17:12 GMT

Foodbme

...some of you have listed places in other parts of the country, like MN and WV and other places where it's hard to conceive that any place there could provide authentic Mexican Food...

why? Mexicans are all over this country. Maybe not as plentiful as your state of AZ, but Mexican cuisine can be found in many places.

In WV, housing is more affordable, and now Eastern WV has become part of the DC Metro/Northern VA metro area, new construction abounds in WV. Bringing in jobs that have a high % of Mexican workers, from building construction to electrical, to landscaping, to roadwork and, the new Mexican restaurants, just to name a few jobs.

I'd be willing to bet, that the same is true in and around other major metropolitan areas, like Minneapolis, or Piedmont Triad area of NC, and so on and so on.

The population of Mexicans, now Americans, has skyrocketed, and as the Mexican people assimilate into the US, they, like the droves of immigrants before them, such as my ancestors, are moving all over the country.

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (brittneal)

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:40:34 GMT

Denver was a Meca for Mex food. One of the greats was Chubby Burgers. The smothered green chili burrito was at least a 6 pack investment! Sweat would por off your fore head. Being careful once I ordered my tacos with the "salsa" on the side and was rewarded withe a coffe cup full. Thinking Id love some spicy rie, I sauted onion and green bell peppers. Then tossed it with cooked white rice and added a tablespoon of the salsa. It was so hot I screamed out loud. With that little bit the act of heating it kicked the peppers in the sauce into overdrive! As an experiment, take an Anahiem pepper and roast it. It will be hotter than aaa pickled jalapeno.
I was in Newark Ohio and some friend touted a new place, Las Palmas, that was opened by real Mexicans! I was really hoping for some goodies as back in the late 80;s Ohio was a ghost town for Mexican. I ordred the smothered Burrito. I asked if I got my choice of sause(green or red chili?) Nope it was drowned in nacho cheese sauce!
We have the El Ranco chain in my area. The waiters dont even speak English so its an order by the numbers. Still weak but the fajitas are pretty good.
I have a lot of appts at my VA clinic in Springfield. The past year a taco truck has been there. One day Im going to try it. My problem is the wife isnt a lover of that stuff. I could get it to go, but its 25 miles from home and I dont know how it would hold up! As for eating there all they offer is warm Mexican fruit sodas. Not my taste and I have to have a drink to enjoy it.

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (Twinwillow)

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:14:18 GMT

Yes, great sign!

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (Foodbme)

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:57:36 GMT

nocarolina

I love beef tacos, but it's getting difficult to find really good ones in my area. I used to enjoy the ones at the Pepe's chain here in the Chicago area, but the last few times that I ate at one, the meal was quite disappointing. Nowadays, when I have a taste for Mexican food, I go to Jalapeno's on US 41 in Schererville, IN ( not a chain, I'm happy to say. )

Love that Sign!

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (carolina bob)

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:22:21 GMT

Here's my meal at Jalapeno's; delicious beef tacos ( fried corn shells ), plus very good refried beans and Spanish rice. Not shown is the fiery green salsa that I ordered - a dollar extra but worth it.

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (carolina bob)

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 21:14:43 GMT

I love beef tacos, but it's getting difficult to find really good ones in my area. I used to enjoy the ones at the Pepe's chain here in the Chicago area, but the last few times that I ate at one, the meal was quite disappointing. Nowadays, when I have a taste for Mexican food, I go to Jalapeno's on US 41 in Schererville, IN ( not a chain, I'm happy to say. )

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (Foodbme)

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:05:44 GMT

While some of you have listed places in other parts of the country, like MN and WV and other places where it's hard to conceive that any place there could provide authentic Mexican Food, no one was mentioned anything in AZ, so here goes! Many places in Tucson & the Phoenix area have already been discussed on here. My favorite is Carolinas on Mohave just East of 16th St. Their Machacha Beef is to die for, along with their made on site fresh tortillas. They make their tortillas there and they are warm & fresh.
Since 1986, it has been at 1202 E. Mohave in a building that also has housed a coin-operated laundry and a grocery store.
http://www.carolinasmex.com/history.htm
There are ton's more in Phoenix & Tucson .Google is your best friend

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (mayor al)

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:35:03 GMT

Regarding your comment about the value of FAMILY... Amen, My friend!

My 50th H S Reunion is coming up next year! We are planning a West Coast Roundtrip-RoadTrip-Reunion Trip for next Summer !

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (Foodbme)

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:15:35 GMT

mayor al

Foodie,

I will break the 67 year mark in August this summer. I was a Pearl Harbor "Reaction". Mom told me, years later, that I was conceived the night after the Pearl Harbor Attack.

I also have two daughters. One turning 45 shortly and the other will be 35 later this month. The Son-in-law in the photo is the husband of the younger daughter.

The boys do manage to do a better job of weight-control than their Dad.

THANX! for fessing up! I'm 68 1/2 and my dad was in the Army Air Corps, (It later became the U.S. Air Force ) when I was born. He was a Radar Instructor for our pilots before the Axis knew we had radar capability. Top Secret stuff! Radar now is almost, if not totally, obsolete. Technology is amazing!!
Nevertheless, you have a great bunch of guys there. There is nothing more important in today's world than family!

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (mayor al)

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:48:20 GMT

Foodie,

I will break the 67 year mark in August this summer. I was a Pearl Harbor "Reaction". Mom told me, years later, that I was conceived the night after the Pearl Harbor Attack.

I also have two daughters. One turning 45 shortly and the other will be 35 later thios month. The Son-in-law in the photo is the husband of the younger daughter.

The boys do manage to do a better job of weight-control than their Dad.

RE: Mexican Food Top Picks! (Foodbme)

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:33:08 GMT

Twinwillow

Al, that's a great picture of you and the boys. You should be very proud. And, judging from the smile on your face.......

I noticed everyone's age was listed except His Honor, The Mayor----Inquiring minds want to know.
Looks like that group should be playing on the Offensive & Defensive Lines of the Indianapolis Colts!!