Restaurants

Look! A round chimichanga

It took me less than 24 hours to find the weak spot in iPhone’s GPS app,  Co-Pilot.

Sure, it could tell me there was a Mexican restaurant in Kennesaw, Georgia. It could talk me there turn-by-turn off the interstate. But it couldn’t give me a clue as to whether this was the same-old authentic menu I’m heartily sick of seeing in Mexican restaurants. (Pssst, Uptake: we need an iPhone app!)

So my husband and I cautiously followed Lee’s disembodied voice to Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant and sat in the parking lot a few minutes assessing the situation. We finally agreed it looked more like a steakhouse from the outside, so odds were good we had stumbled on an original instead of an authentic.

We were greeted with a colorful interior complimented by sombreros nailed the wall (ought-oh … sure sign of THAT menu) but with big-screen TVs tuned to ESPN scattered around, and clowns and magicians walking among the tables to entertain the kids. The signboard announced open mic hours, so perhaps we were safe after all.

What the hell. We asked for a table for two.

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Mamacita's guacamole

A stranger named Jimmy is my new best friend.

Back in June, when I wrote about Cancun Mexican Grill in Hollywood, Florida, Jimmy suggested I also try Mamacita’s Mexican Bar & Grill on the Broadwalk. I agreed to stop in the next time I was in town.

I’m not a gal who takes such written commitments lightly, so finding this place was on my first night’s agenda. And since I had my husband along on this trip, he enthusiastically endorsed the idea after he heard the words “Mexican food” — even if I did have to talk him through how to drive a mile straight down Ocean Drive, turn right on Johnson Street and find a parking space with a meter. Duh.

I was excited to see the location: all tables at Mamacita’s have a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean, and we were ahead of the crowd so we could take our pick. Chips, salsa and the sea are really all it takes to make my soul content. My husband, however, contained his excitement until they handed him a menu, and then his eyes bugged out of his head.

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My husband swears there’s a big difference between Chipotle Mexican Grill and Moes Southwest Grill besides the extra money Chipotle charges at its cash register. His loyalty lies with Moe’s — but where did I come down on this vital life question?

<shrug> I can’t say I really give a rip, but I do recognize a good challenge when I see one. So we ate at both chains in one week, the better to help me make my comparisons.

His burrito

For starters, it’s a given that wherever we order burritos, my husband’s will be a colorful work of art, and mine will be monochromatic. That’s just how it goes when you order meat, black beans and cheese rolled in a tortilla while the other half throws in red peppers, salsa and God knows what else in that thing. It’s also standard operating procedure for him to buy chips and salsa and for me to say I don’t want any but then snarf down half his order.

So with that foundation,

here’s how the Chipotle v Moe’s Southwest Grill match-up played out:

Atmosphere: Tie. It irritates me to no end to hear that chorus of bored, “Welcome to Moe’s” droned at every customer who walks through the door. I actually had a spokesperson at the headquarters tell me that greeting is a big hit with kids — yet another confirmation, I guess, that I’m an adult now.

On the other hand, Chipotle has the most obnoxious que-up for the counter. It runs tight along the side of the booths, so hungry folks can lean up against what is essentially your dinner table and stare at your food while you eat. They also use that railing to play handsies with each other, and it’s almost impossible to have a conversation with your dinner companion without shouting to be heard over these strangers.

Yes, I could take a table in the middle of the room and avoid that. And I would have if everyone else hadn’t already claimed them.

Moe’s 0, Chipotle 0

Music: Moe’s wins with its classic hits of the ’70s and ’80s, once I convinced the manager that we don’t need to hear Sweet Home Alabama at concert sound levels. They also have television sets tuned to ESPN, so I didn’t have to miss the end of the women’s billiards championships a few weeks ago. Chipotle plays some off-the-wall indie music, which is great if that’s what’s on your iPod. Mine is full of country tunes and greatest hits of the ’80s.

Moe’s 1, Chipotle 0

Bathrooms: Both restaurants offer one-holers. Another tie that advances us nowhere.

Drinks: Both are Coke pours, so no advantage here, either.

Entertainment value: Moe’s has some of the silliest, let-your-hair-down-and-have-some-fun entree names in the business. Try asking for a Joey Bag of Donuts, Homewrecker or Art Vandalay without cracking a grin. But I really enjoyed reading the various human interest stories behind the vendors/partners at Chipotle, printed on, of all places, the soda cups. And the “Unburritable” and  ”Life is Burritoful” slogans resonate with me. Finally, when I get my iPhone, the ordering application could come in handy.

I have to give this one to Chipotle.

Moe’s 1, Chipotle 1

So in the end, my decision still came down to that old price concept. At $2.40 less for the same meal, it’s Moe’s for me. That, and it will keep the peace in the family.

Chipotle

10403 East US Highway 36

Avon, Indiana 46123

(317) 271-1481

Moe’s Southwest Grill

7853 US 31 South, Suite B

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 887-2222

Photographer: Julie Sturgeon

When my boyfriend David and I are on the Peninsula and craving a tasty burrito, but don’t want to spend a lot of dough, we always go to El Super Burrito in Millbrae.

Located in a converted Arby’s building, El Super Burrito (or ESB) is a well-known Mexican food fave of the locals. There is almost always a line to order at the counter, and for good reason. The ingredients are fresh, the service is friendly and the prices are affordable.

The No Meat Burrito from El Super Burrito in Millbrae.

After an afternoon of running errands, David and I decided that a trip to El Super Burrito was well deserved. When we walked in, we were pleased to discover the line was only two people deep and a mariachi version of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me” by Gael Garcia Bernal from the movie “Rudo y Cursi” was playing over the speakers. Nothing wrong that!

One of the many things I love about El Super Burrito is there are a lot of options, including low calorie and vegetarian dishes. Every time I go in, I tell David that I’m going to order the California Burrito, which features steak or chicken, cheese, avocado, sour cream and, errrr, french fries. Yep, french fries! Of course, I never get it, but today, a teenager in line ahead of was ordering three of them. Apparently, fries on your burrito is more popular than I thought.

The two enchilada plate from El Super Burrito in Millbrae.

I ordered the No Meat burrito, which is pretty self explanatory: black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, rice, sour cream and guacamole. This is my favorite kind of burrito. It’s a perfectly delicious, and I can scoop out the inside with my chips if I’m feeling crazy. David got the two enchilada plate with one beef, one chicken enchilada, refried beans, spanish rice and extra tortillas.

There’s nothing fancy about El Super Burrito. It’s just a great place to get some tasty, well-made Mexican food at a affordable price.

El Super Burrito
780 El Camino Real
Millbrae, CA 94030
(650) 583-0487
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Casa Sanchez Painted Patio

If you like chips and salsa, like so many of us do, you may already know the name Casa Sanchez. This savory & fresh salsa is sold in every Safeway I’ve been in and lots of other major grocery stores and corner markets. Fortunately for us, San Francisco is the home to the restaurant where this famous Casa Sanchez salsa began.

I love that this family run restaurant is so proud of its longevity in the neighborhood. Check out their wall of articles posted next to the chips! When we were there Mama Sanchez was adding up the receipts at one of the tables and I think a grandmother was sweeping.

We love coming to this unassuming restaurant because not only are the chips and salsa delicious, but they have the best city backyard to hang out in on a sunny day. Today we came by for breakfast and I had the best chorizo and scrambled eggs.

If you are not a breakfast person then stop by and have one of their enormous chicken burritos, enchiladas or quesadilla. We’ve come by after work before to grab one of their huge burritos to take home – yum! The burritos are so big – and such a bargain – that I never get through more than half before giving up and getting out the foil.

Chorizo and Eggs @ Casa Sanchez

Bottom line, this is an expensive tasty spot to bring the kids or a friend.  Stop by on a sunny afternoon while shopping in the Mission District or anytime you want to grab a beer or agua fresca and some of the best chips and salsa ever.  With their bright and colorfully painted patio in the back, it will feel a little like you slipped into the novel Like Water For Chocolate or a Frida Kahlo painting.

Famous Casa Sanchez Logo

2778 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-2400

Tad's Steaks

Cheap steaks are like treasure, it is always a surprise when you discover they still exist in today’s world. When you walk into Tad’s Steakhouse in downtown San Francisco, you are reminded that cheap steaks (that come with salad, garlic bread and a baked potato) do still exist in this expensive city of ours.

The dinner menu at Tad’s is on the opposite spectrum as John’s Grill around the corner, or my across town favorite Harris’ Restaurant but this Powell Street steakhouse is a safe place to direct that foreign student who stops you on Union Square or the occasional tourist family with the hungry kids. They all can enjoy a non-burrito and non-fast food place for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

My husband and I do like to eat at downtown hole-in-the-walls that only a non-local would go to once in a while. It reminds us of our first time in cities like Paris, Vienna, London, Tokyo et al. Eating at Tad’s also reminds us of being college students with cast iron stomachs.

Seriously it is a bit of a tourist trap but I am kind of impressed that Tad’s has survived all these years across from fancier restaurants. The longevity of Tad’s could be its relationship to Ruth’s Chris but if it is, the better quality steaks I’ve had a Ruth’s Chris Steak House are not at Tad’s Steakhouse.

120 Powell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 982-1718
www.tadssteaks-sf.com

Mon-Sun. 7:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Cheerful Welcome

I grew up with Saturday night as “bath night”, to get scrubbed before Sunday church. In college we had movies around town offering “dollar night” every Tuesday. Today my neighborhood with its many kids and parents has introduced me to a new one called “Burrito Monday”, which happens at my local Mexican grill.

I’ve written about Mexican food places in the past, like La Corneta in the Mission District of San Francisco and Lisa’s Mexican Restaurant in Daly City – because I love Mexican food and eat it every week. And actually I may also write about my favorite taco trucks around the city very soon – another great San Francisco secret.

Casa Mexicana is a wonderful Mexican grill in the middle of Noe Valley on 24th Street. It has all the classic menu items such as soft tacos, quesadilla, enchilada, chili relleno and burritos, all made to order with eight different kinds of meat, three kinds of beans, two kinds of rice and three kinds of salsa. They are clean and fast with lots of tables to choose from, including booster seats and high chairs.

Clean and ready for the crowds

However maybe because they understand their young customers better than others they also offer green and red tortillas – yes, I am speaking of the kids.  In my neighborhood, kids rule the sidewalks, the parks and the menus and Casa Mexicana is no exception. I’ve gone and stood in line where a seven year old ahead of me, turned their head and gave a shout out to a dozen other kids that they knew (okay it seemed like that many but probably it was closer to five kids in line and coming in the door).

If you want to be the best aunt/uncle or babysitter in Noe Valley come to Casa Mexicana for Burrito Mondays and watch the magic happen. You’ll be rewarded with a happy child and a stomach full of delicious food prepared just the way you like it.

3917 24th St
(between Noe St & Sanchez St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 648-0477

Do you ever find yourself in an unfamiliar part of town and suddenly your stomach starts growling? It happens to me more than I care to admit, but this time rather than suffering until I got home – or reluctantly eating fast food – I let my nose lead me to some of the best Mexican food ever in Daly City.

Finding myself on the outskirts of the Mission District in San Francisco with a hungry stomach, I took the first parking spot I found on a busy section of Mission Street. When I got out of the car, the first thing I noticed was this lovely smell of warm tortillas and roasting meats coming out this little doorway with a green metal gate.

I was technically in Daly City, not San Francisco which is not discernible unless you have a map in front of you. Our “accidental” find proceeded to bring all sorts of wonderful memories out for my husband – with the music, the authentic and rich smells coming from the kitchen and the colorful decorations on the wall. He kept saying how the room felt like he was in his grandmother’s house.

Delicious menu items

I loved the decor and the warm hospitality from the staff of Lisa’s Mexican Restaurant.

The sangria I had was delicious and not too sweet. We were very surprised at the number of empty tables but at the same time you could tell that the people who were coming in for lunch, felt very much at home and ready for a relaxing and unhurried meal.

On this occasion I had a combination of chicken enchilada and crispy flauta (a flauta is deep fried like a taquito but made with a flour tortilla rather than corn) – both were cooked and seasoned perfectly.

I will definitely put this down in my book under the category of “undiscovered finds” and return again. The prices were very reasonable and the portions were perfect.

Lisa’s Mexican Restaurant
6582 Mission St
Daly City, CA 94014
(650) 756-6289

In San Francisco, the debate continues with what constitutes the “best” taqueria. For many years the term “best taqueria” has been a title owned by Pancho Villa and La Cumbre. Both places are well known taco shops, but I have lived in the city long enough now that I feel that I need to weigh in with my own vote.

Classic Mariachi Band

La Corneta Taqueria, has three locations with two in the San Francisco. My favorite location and where I head to on a regular basis is tucked inside the middle of the block, in the heart of the Mission.

When they opened this particular location more than 15 years ago there were already more than 25 Mexican restaurants within 10 blocks. Their success and growth is a testament to their fresh ingredients and service. When you walk into this taqueria the first thing you see is the line of people, waiting in front the glass counter where you decide on your meal.

Delicious Baby Burrito

They are well known for their prawn and carne asada dishes. While my husband can tackle those larger portions, including his favorite – the super nachos – my ideal lunch or dinner is one of their baby burritos. It is just the right size, and the right combination of ingredients. Finish it off with either a cold Modelo Especial or aguas frescas (traditional Mexican fresh fruit drinks)

Taste any of their burritos, chili relleno or other incredible menu items and you will never return to Taco Bell.

To add to this wonderful experience, if you go on the weekends they have live Mariachi music! I like going Sundays when you get whole families coming in after church to eat. With the sounds of the festive and lively Mariachi music in the background, not to mention the beautiful interior walls – you could be in Mexico.

photo credit to RinzeWind and Rick