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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The crouton makes it magic!

El Toreador in one sentence: Bright, cheery, always busy “sit down Mexican” place in West Portal, with bottomless bowls of chips, generous pitchers of Margaritas and big platters of comfort food.

Who you’ll see there: College students, families, couples before going to the movies.

Make sure to try: the sopa, the tasty tomato broth soup with one giant, yummy crouton floating in it. Also, the enchiladas will warm you up on the coldest, foggiest San Francisco night. Definitely go for the pitcher over the individual glasses of margaritas.

It’s okay to skip: the crispy taco plate. It’s a lot of fried, and they heat up the plate with the lettuce on it — not my favorite.

Service: The place is always busy, so they keep things moving. You’ll never have an empty plate sitting in front of you, and your water or soda will be refilled without you asking.

Average meal price:  Two people are in and out for $30 without booze, $45 if you get a pitcher.

Logistics:

• Be prepared for a line, you put your name on a list and wait
• No reservations
• It will be loud – it will not be romantic
• Kinda cramped, but in a friendly way
• Yes to credit cards

Parking:

On the street, can be tough to find, the smart move is to drop someone off to put your name on the list while you look for a spot

Location:

West Portal
50 W Portal Ave
(between Claremont Blvd & Portola Dr)
San Francisco, CA 94127
(415) 566-8104

Photos: Cat Lincoln

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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We figured it was another of those authentic Mexican restaurants, but we were hungry, it was there, and there were a lot of cars in the parking lot. Looked like a recipe for dinner to me.

I was half right: the food that came out of the kitchen at Little Mexico on County Line Road and 135 uses the same wholesale suppliers for their entrees, because, frankly, I’d know that cheese and refried beans on the chips anywhere. But the connection stops there. They didn’t hand us a menu with the same-old, same-old dinner combinations, so someone here has jazzed up the creativity angle. Their salsa was definitely made on site and rates as the best in Indianapolis for my taste buds. They also found a decorator who, although in places still went for the sombrero and pancho nailed to the wall,  created an atmosphere that more resembled a Victorian parlor.

Break out the scones and tea, old chap.

But as refreshingly good as this dinner was, it wouldn’t have made made a blip on our “meals we will never forget” list if it hadn’t been for our fellow diners in the restaurant.

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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

MMM... Lunch

My husband has been out of town for, what seems like, ever and I’m just tired of cooking. I took my boys to the local Mexican restaurant for lunch, mainly because I needed a margarita. Plus, I was jonesing for some chips and salsa.

I was both disappointed and pleased with my lunch. How is that possible?

The service was good. The waiter was really nice, he was pleasant and nice to my kids, a plus. The chips were a little greasy, but the salsa was good. I don’t like to have to use a napkin after each chip. On a positive note, I didn’t eat as many chips as usual.

The margarita I ordered was a cadillac, always good, however their Sweet & Sour mix left a little to be desired it was a little sweeter than I usually like. The alcohol was still good though, so I didn’t complain.

The lunch was pretty good, actually it was really good. My lunch special of a taco and enchilada was only $7.95 and the boy’s lunches were $3.95. A good deal if you really think about it. They had a cheese enchilada with rice and beans. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that the boys ate all their food, without much prompting. They thought their lunches were delicious.

My lunch was pretty good.It had just the right amount of cheese on top. I forgot to specify a cheese enchilada and beef taco and got beef in both. Not perfect, but for the price, you can’t beat it. Mexican on a dime.

La Costa is on Gilman Blvd. in Issaquah, Washington right off the 90 freeway. I would definitely stop there again, because I know that the price is right.

La Costa

240 NW Gilman Blvd
Issaquah, Wa. 98027
(425)392-8980

I rarely wear mascara. It never fails — I brush some black goo over my lashes and something makes me cry in the next six hours, sending that black streaking down my cheeks. They have yet to invent a waterproof version waterproof enough to stand up to my big tears.

Acapulco Joe's specialty

But last Saturday afternoon, I reached for the Estee Lauder wand in my make-up bag because what in the world about a job interview for a temporary position taking tickets at Colts games would make me blubber? Nothing, of course.

I had, however, overlooked the possibility my husband would want to check out the new Acapulco Joe’s Mexican Restaurant Greenwood location in the early evening, the better to beat the crowd. They have a sign painted on the window announcing that grown men will cry here, referring of course to the hot sauce. I knew all about that salsa, since it’s loaded with garlic and my husband is the type to carry the smell in his bloodstream for up to 24 hours. One good sniff and I can tell you exactly where he went for lunch.

I had simply never taken the time to drive downtown to the Illinois St. location, so this was a whole new world for me.

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Fiesta time

Can you stand another post about a Mexican restaurant chain?

Yes, I realize this officially crowns me Ms. Burrito, but reality is, in addition to On the Border, Abuelo’s, and the umpteen thousand authentic independent eateries in Indianapolis, my husband and I also make it a habit to swing by Don Pablo’s Restaurant on a regular basis. He likes the food, period. Being the pickier eater, I have a more difficult time ordering: the burritos, for instance, have too many peppers stuffed in them for my taste, but if you take them out, the remaining ingredients leave you with bland wrapped in a tortilla shell.

Which is how I learned to make a meal out of sopapillas or Iron Skillet Apple Pie. Trust me, the brandy butter sauce is addictive.

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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

My friend did the unthinkable after our scrapbooking club last Friday.

Scrapbooking makes you hungry

Neither of our husbands were home — they were, in fact, together at a Toastmasters speech evaluation contest, which proves there are worse ways to spend an evening than pasting colored paper to cardstock — so I asked if she wanted to get a bite of real food to go with the cheese and crackers and Dove chocolates we’d snacked on for two hours already.

You know how these negotiations go: The first person invites, and the person who accepts has to name the restaurant. She picked (and I heard her the first time, I just didn’t believe it) Qdoba Mexican Grill.

My opinion on this Mexican fast casual chain is well documented here at the Uptake restaurant blog. But if there’s someone out there who hates Qdoba more than I do, it’s my scrapbooking buddy. I wouldn’t be surprised if she makes the sign of the devil every time she drives by one, as she can tell you in explicit detail what she dislikes about every item on the menu. She knows because her tennis group loves the place, so for a while there, she dragged herself there to lunch once a week.

So I thought for a second she’d cut herself with the scissors and was bleeding out on me, reaching the delusional stage.

She was serious. In her desperation to find something to eat after running all over the court for several hours, she stumbled on the pork quesadilla, sans pico. If anyone else had tried to recommend an entree at Qdoba, I would have declined, but this was monumental enough it probably was good.

Qdoba's quesadilla

So we split one, and she was right. It was delicious — salty, cheesy, and cooled off with sour cream. Formerly my beef with the place was that the chicken is dry, the hamburger tastes fake, and the steak is rubbery. But the pork! Ah, it has the juicy flavor every Mexican dish should boast. Not to mention the fountain serves both Cherry Coke and Vanilla Coke, which combined gives you dessert in a cup.

It hit the spot better than the Dove chocolates, and no, I’m not bleeding out.

Photographer credits: Qdoba, karine.imagine, I am the Jeff