Restaurants

Mercadito Restaurant

With Top Chef Rick Bayless repping haute Mexican cuisine for Chicago and with our large, established Mexican community, there’s not a lot that New York can show Chicago in terms of Mexican food.  That didn’t stop Mercadito, a New York outpost of stylized tacos and tequila, from opening in Chicago. Located on a rather barren stretch in the River North neighborhood, the restaurant aims to unleash the attractions of  high priced tacos and late night tequila sipping.  Bathed in bronze hues and accented with polished floors and splashy paintings, Mercadito manages to do just that. Read More »

It’s another rainy, gray day in Germany.  It should be expected – in the hills of the Pfalz, Novembers are always cold, wet and dreary.  I should be used to it but sometimes it’s just a little too much.  So today, I’m dreaming of the warm sun and azure waters of Mexico.  But barring an imprompu trip to Puerto Vallarta, I’d take some really good chicken enchiladas.

I could make them myself – I have a great recipe.  An incredible and authentic recipe.  But as it is with anything, making good enchiladas from scratch is a seriously time-intensive activity.  Between the chopping, the layering and the baking, you’re looking at a few hours work.  And to make my favorite enchilada sauce (canned just won’t do)?  Well, once you blend together the cream, lemon and spices, it’s best to let the sauce sit overnight in the fridge and hope that you can stand the wait.

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Here in Palo Alto, the UpTake office has been suffering through a major construction project around the corner. This means large trucks block all the good parking spots and we are subjected to loud banging and vibrating jackhammers on a regular basis. But, just the other day, we realized there is a tremendous up-side to all this chaos…where there is construction, there are also lunchtime taco trucks!!!

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Celia's Mexican Restaurant in SF is #1

Come for the delicious south of the border food, stay for another margarita! Celia’s Mexican Restaurant is a favorite neighborhood destination.

This neighborhood restaurant is locally owned and located in what is affectionately called the “Outer” Richmond District of San Francisco. That means you will likely only head to Celia’s if you live in the area, surf everyday, have family in the area or are lost. We fall into the “have family in the area” category and are quite familiar with this wonderfully foggy part of town.

If you like to bring the kids and dog to Ocean Beach then Celia’s could already be on your radar. We like driving along the Great Highway which is how we found Celia’s the first time, it is only a few blocks from the beach near the end of the line for the N-Judah trolley.

This time we stopped in for lunch and some neighborhood visiting. We were not disappointed by either. Did you know that Celia’s owner makes the house margarita mix from a secret recipe? If you like killer margaritas that pack a wallop then you should stop by early. Local regulars swear by its taste and grumble when it runs out early in the evening.

For lunch they started me out with complimentary chips and salsa and house made cole slaw. Yum! Then I had the chicken taco and chili rellano combination platter. Listening to the N-Judah trolley rumble by every few minutes, hanging out in this family run restaurant makes for a great meal.

Celia's Combination Platter w/Margarita! Ole!

If you like an old school sixties style Mexican decor and listening to ranchero music playing in the background, this is your place. For those who like to go head down south to Baja, Celia’s Mexican Restaurant will give you a kind of an Ensenada vibe without having to cross the border.   Now that is my kind of summer staycation!

4019 Judah Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 564-0662

Vegetarian soft taco plate with red chile tofu at Green Chile Kitchen in San Francisco.

When I lived in the Haight in San Francisco, one of my favorite places to have dinner was a New Mexican restaurant, Green Chile Kitchen in the nearby Western Addition neighborhood (or NoPa — North of the Panhandle — to residents in the area who want to make their neighborhood sound better than it is). I had been wanting to take my boyfriend David there for a while, so we finally made a special trip out there.

Everything is so fresh and delicious. It’s a very popular neighborhood restaurant. Any weeknight there is a line to the door to order (lots of moms in yoga pants with strollers parked out front), and you have to be patient to get a table. Since there were only two of us, David and I were able to snag two seats at the counter by the window.

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Hmm, Why Is It Blurry?

I am originally from southern California, but moved to the Pacific Northwest to get away from it all. The things I miss the most are my parents and the Mexican restaurants.

Las Margaritas in Issaquah is within walking distance of home. It takes us 12 minutes to walk to the restaurant while dragging a three year old and six year old. We all know how they love to walk anywhere at the end of the day.

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Old Part of Stockton

For many Stockton, California is most famous for its annual asparagus festival and its setting as the home of the Barkleys from the television show The Big Valley. I bet you can still see Lee Majors on his horse, and Barbara Stanwyck as the tough family matriarch.  Stockton has a big valley and it has a slew of great Mexican restaurants and cafes.

One of the best and oldest Mexican restaurants is Mi Ranchito Cafe with its many loyal customers still driving everyday to this old part of town.  We make a point of going for breakfast or lunch every time we are in Stockton, it is that good.  They also have provided catering for some of our family events. Read More »

Summer and Mexican Food go Hand in Hand

This time of year when the daylight lingers and the sun hangs hot in the sky – my mind starts drifting towards images of margaritas, outdoor patios and warm tortillas. I think that summer and Mexican food just go hand in hand.

Every Texan has their own criteria by which they judge a good Mexican restaurant and they will fiercely defend their choices. Here is my criteria: 1. Tortillas  2. Margaritas 3. Atmosphere 4. Salsa 5. Breakfast.

So, I have put together a list of  Mexican restaurants in my hometown of Austin, Texas that top the list for each of my above criteria.  It is by no means an exhaustive list. Austin has more Mexican restaurants than it does 7-11’s so there are many to choose from!

1. Tortillas! Taco Cabana - I can count on one finger the number of fast food chains where I will eat. Taco Cabana is it. It is solely a Texas chain and it is muy fantastico! They serve margaritas and Tecate beer, have a huge salsa bar and most importantly, they hand make their tortillas. You are sure to get fresh and warm tortillas made that day. Take that, Taco Bell! The food is great, it’s cheap and open 24 hours.

2. Margaritas! La Fonda San Miguel – I like my margaritas made with high quality tequila, on the rocks, with tons of fresh-squeezed lime and a dash of triple sec. They do this superbly at La Fonda! Their bar is excellent and they have a wide range of tequilas to choose from. What’s more, this upscale interior Mexican restaurant has great food and a fantastic atmosphere. There is a leafy tropical atrium (complete with talking parrot) with couches tucked in the corners where you can have drinks and wait for your table and the dining area is brightly colorful with thick wooden tables, Saltillo tiles and terrific Mexican artwork on the walls.

3. Atmosphere! Guerros Taco Bar – Guerros is an immensely popular spot. Located in the heart of Austin’s funky South Congress district, this place has a terrific vibe, inside and out. The food is decent, not great, but you can sit outside on a warm evening underneath several hundred year old oak trees or dine inside their cavernous stone walls with low hanging ceiling fans. You are likely to see visiting celebrities and movie folk here. I have sat near Owen Wilson, Matthew McConaughy and Eva Mendes, to name a few!

4. Salsa! Chuys – As far as salsa is concerned, I look for a wide selection and fresh ingredients. Chuy’s has both. You help yourself to free chips and salsa while waiting on a table and if you don’t watch it, will fill up before you even sit down to order. They have salsa verde, roja and a super fresh and tasty pico de gallo. There is a wide range of spice in their selection and the chips are super crunchy and lightly salted. Perfecto! There are now several Chuy’s restaurants in Austin, I highly recommend the one on Barton Springs Road (the original) with low ceilings and crazy artwork all over the walls and ceilings. Be prepared for a wait.

5. Breakfast! Cisco’s – Nothing beats a greasy plate of migas or juevos rancheros the morning after.  Locals who are ‘in the know’ head to Cisco’s when a hangover hits (or just when in the mood for a big satisfying breakfast). It is a greasy dive with a hodge podge of furniture and bric a brac on the walls. This Mexican eatery has been serving breakfast and lunch to Austinites (invcluding folks like Mac Brown and Willy Nelson) for over 30 years. The coffee is hot, the rancheros and chorizo are excellent and the service is super fast. Be sure to order a basket of tortillas and biscuits so you can drizzle them with honey and butter from the squeeze bottles on the table. That’s right, I said squeeze bottles full of butter.

Tequila!

Sombrero Photo credit to Patrick Denizet

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.

We were in the mood to celebrate.

My boyfriend David and I had received word that we got an apartment we applied for in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, and some tasty food and drinks were definitely in order. So, we went to Don Pico’s Original Mexican Bistro in San Bruno. The family-owned restaurant has a warm, festive ambiance, usually with live music playing and the patrons clapping along while eating and drinking. It feels like everyone in the restaurant is celebrating something.

Sangria at Don Pico

We had been to Don Pico’s once before. My one regret at that dinner was not getting the sangria, which is one of my favorite drinks. Instead, I shared a pitcher of margaritas with David. Don’t get me wrong, the margaritas are divine; but David watched me as I stared longingly (dare I say lovingly?) at someone else’s pitcher of sangria at a nearby table, and he knew that next time, we were getting the sangria.

So, when we sat down at a table in Don Pico’s this time, David immediately ordered a pitcher of sangria. The waiter quickly returned with our pitcher and chips and salsa. The sangria was fruity and flavorful, but slightly heavy on the crushed ice, making it a little too slushy. As for the chips and salsa … well, I could easily eat chips and salsa all day. The salsa at Don Pico’s is just the way I like it: It’s not too chunky, so it’s perfect for dipping; and it’s got a little kick, but it doesn’t burn your taste buds and ruin your meal.

Chips and salsa at Don Pico

One of the things I love about this place is you really feel that you can’t go wrong picking anything on the menu. Beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetarian: It all looks great. The chef shops at nearby farmers’ markets for fresh ingredients and uses Niman Ranch meat. I opted for a two-item combo plate with a beef-filled tamale, smothered in a flavorful salsa sauce and topped with cheese, and a spinach enchilada, a corn tortilla stuffed with spinach and goat cheese swimming in tomatillo sauce, jack cheese and sour cream. David went for the Pollo Cancun, a delectable dish of chicken breast strips and Ortega peppers sauteed in tomatillo sauce. Of course, everything came with refried beans and Spanish rice.

Beef tamale and spinach enchilada at Don Pico

Both meals were delicious. Usually, I’m all about not stuffing myself, because I’m such a fan of leftovers. But this time, maybe it was because we were celebrating or maybe it is the sangria effect, but I cleaned my plate as did David. We’ve been to more expensive Mexican restaurants that served food that weren’t half as good as the food at Don Pico’s.

Don Pico’s
461 El Camino Real
San Bruno, CA 94066
Hours: Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Closed Sunday and Monday
(650) 589-1163