Hot Dish Review

When the craving for Mexican food strikes, it is nearly impossible to ignore. Along with the spicy food, however, is the tequila, so I try to stay as close to home as possible in case a cab is required.

There are several options near my hood, from El Azteca to Agave, but the winner for excellent margaritas, chips, and tacos is The Original El Taco. I dragged LC along on a recent taco binge. Frankly, it didn’t take much persuasion….he’s as fond of the burn as I am.

The festive restaurant was full with a thirty minute wait so we were given a buzzer and some chips for prizes when they spin the big wheel. Taking a seat at the bar we immediately ordered a couple of their margaritas made with fresh lime and agave nectar. At $10 each they are pricey, but LC loathes sour mix so they were well worth the extra couple of bucks.

El Taco’s updated menu has a section called “Get ‘em Before They’re Gone”….seasonal favorites that come and go. I’m a sucker for that kind of marketing and even more of a sucker for anything with sweet potatoes so I had to try the taquito that also included the irresistible ingredients of pork carnitas and jalapenos, while we waited at the bar.

Those first margaritas went down fast. The chick next to me ordered a skinny margarita. I would have one too, please! A great choice to wash down the fried taquito, LOL. Topped with crispy slaw dressed with crema, the taquitos (there were two) contained big chunks of sweet potato and pulled pork. A solid start.

Just then our buzzer went off and we were seated, my first time sitting inside. And, we were right next to the salsa bar so I got a sample of each one, plus a boatload of chopped cilantro. Ready for chips, cheese dip, salsas, and guacamole! El Taco’s chips are thin and perfectly salty. Their cheese dip is addictive, made with a blend of melted white Mexican cheeses.

The guac is chunky but rather plain, seasoned only with lime juice and salt, then topped with crumbled queso and sliced radishes. It could really use a handful of cilantro, chopped onion, jalapeno, and tomato, and lose the queso. Then it would be kickass, just like mine! Sure, diners can add those things from the salsa bar but wouldn’t it just be simpler to make it right to begin with? Just sayin’.

Our tacos arrived as we were polishing off another round of skinny margaritas. LC got the fried fish taco with jicama-serrano slaw, sprouts and sunflower seeds and the grilled shrimp taco with dried tomatoes, pickled cabbage, lime, and cumin. I managed to get a bite of the shrimp before he gobbled ‘em both up.

My favorite taco at El Taco is the red chili steak with crispy onions and tomatillo-lime salsa. It comes on a flour tortillas but I always get mine on corn. For my second taco I ordered the chorizo with yuca and Fresno arbol salsa. I remembered it being much better. My red chili steak, however, was too awesome to share.

Someday I’m gonna try one of the Mexican “pizzas”, grilled flatbreads topped with all sorts of goodies like their flavorful meats, avocados, and refried black beans. Maybe next time.

By the way, we didn’t win any prizes on the big wheel. Maybe next time.

1186 N. Highland Avenue 404-873-4656

Driving back from Florida, B and I made efficient use of our time, getting gas and eating all in one stop. Lunch found us at McDonald’s in Gainesville, sharing their awesome fries with our Filet ‘O’ Fish sandwiches. Sorry no photos, but chances are you’ve seen a McDonald’s Filet ‘O’ Fish at some point in your life. However, we did note the diminished size of every component of the sandwich….fish, cheese, and bun.

Our second stop was near Macon where we stumbled upon a Mexican restaurant, sorta like a Moe’s wanna-be. It was called Caliente. Its cookie-cutter Southwestern furnishings matched its standard Tex-Mex fare of tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.

The chubby dude behind the counter had the personality of a toad. Poor thing. I inquired about the choices of meat and decided on a ground beef taco. One taco, soft or hard shell, was $4.95. Excuse me? It came with chips but that was hardly any consolation considering I can get a red chilli steak taco at El Taco for $1 less! Not to mention they serve tequila. No contest.

B decided to get the kid’s combo meal….a taco, chips, small cheese dip, soft drink, and cookie for $3.20. Good deal if you want all that stuff. She asked why I didn’t do the same but I really just wanted a taco with all the fixin’s….cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream and guacamole from squirt bottles. I’m sorry, but if you can dispense guac from a squirt bottle, it might not be authentic. Just sayin’. Caliente did have a salsa bar with a few choices including pico de gallo and salsa verde.

My taco reminded me of the kind you make at home, with store-bought Ortega shells. Honestly, I prefer Taco Bell, even with the revelation that their “ground beef” is only 35% meat.

B loved the chips, mainly because they were salty. I thought they were too thick and out of an industrial size bag.

But here’s the kicker. I assumed the kid’s taco would be tiny but it was the same size as the regular one! What the f*ck? To make matters worse, the dude forgot to give B her cookie.

Guess we should have ordered burritos.

6255 Zebulon Road, Macon 478-471-8110

That’s right, my first visit to Fork & Screen in Buckhead will be my last. This year for Halloween I decided to forego a costume and go to a scary movie, Paranormal Activity 2, with a friend. On the way to the theater we stopped in at Kyma for a couple of appetizers and a martini…a great start.

But the evening soon went awry. When we got to Fork & Screen we went directly to the bar in the lobby and ordered a pitcher of Miller Lite. The barely legal chick behind the bar refused to serve us saying we were intoxicated. Seriously?

I figured it was no big deal, since we were not at all drunk. After finding a comfy table inside the theater we summoned our server and placed a beer order only to be informed that she too could not serve us.

Despite the utter bullshit, we proceeded to order a chicken quesadilla, and chips and queso. I didn’t expect it to be good, but I’m quite certain my cat could do better. Tri-color chips with melted Velveeta were abysmal as was the flacid lukewarm tortilla filled with pre-packaged chicken and a smattering of melted cheese. A side of sour cream and another reportedly made with avocado did little to salvage it, nor did the side of half-ass fries that we didn’t order. There was no hint of spice in the quesadilla or the queso, unless you count salt.

I must have Milkduds at the movies. Thankfully, they did allow me to have those! To top it off, the movie was as dull as the food.

We left Fork & Screen completely sober. But the experience put a bad taste in my mouth in more ways than one.

At the end of a post I often give the address and phone number but I don’t want to inadvertently promote this venue. But I will give them one thing….a big fat Knuckle Sandwich!

In our futile search for the Georgia Kentucky game on Saturday, LC and I stopped in first at El Taco, then at Pure Taqueria, only to discover no one could get the channel. What what?

Tired of driving, we decided to have a bite to eat at Pure. I was craving guacamole. More importantly, I needed a drink. It was prime time Saturday night but the place was pretty quiet. Seated on the patio, we each ordered a shot of Herradura silver and a Pure margarita on the rocks.

Pure has great cheese dip, topped with pureed jalapenos. Their guacamole could use some cilantro and jalapeno but is generally not offensive. Smoky salsa is great with their new improved thinner chips.

Except on this visit. The chips and dips arrived quickly but fifteen minutes later and still no drinks! LC went inside to check on them. When margaritas were finally delivered, they were extremely sour.

In the mean time, we had been eating the cheese dip and guacamole, both of which were so salty they were nearly inedible. I didn’t need to order my margarita with salt, I could have just wiped some of the cheese around the rim. How can they fuck up something so simple?

After another incredibly long wait, our margaritas were replaced with new ones made with freshly squeezed limes and agave nectar by the very understanding manager. Much improved but there was no excuse for the slow service and mediocre food. Sure, we didn’t eat much but why risk more over-exposure to sodium?

Pure, I need a break from you. But, like with all break-ups, the bad memories will subside over time and by Spring I may give you a chance to make it up to me.

My love affair with Pure may be over for now, but our evening was not as we headed for yet another destination with a totally different outcome….to be continued tomorrow!

Following my inaugural Widespread weekend with B, we were coerced into brunch at Hobnob (will post when I receive the photos) after arriving back into Atlanta from the remote state of Cumming.

A shower washed off the makeup and the mud, but instead of tucking into my ridiculously comfortable and enormous bed, I ended up hopping in the car with LC and T to check out some football at Taco Mac. We chose (OK….I chose) the Metropolis location due to its proximity to T’s hotel, the Palomar. Known for their huge selection of specialty beers and wings, the space is big enough to comfortably seat 5 or 6 NFL teams with flat screens in every direction. I’ve tried their “death wings” in the past which are, needless to say, deadly hot.

The fried green tomato benedict called the “hangover helper” at Hobnob, plus the three mimosas, had perked me up quite nicely. Now at Taco Mac, I was craving onion rings. The three of us ordered the NEW! queso poblano, a bowl of melted white cheese with ground beef, poblanos, jalapenos, and cilantro in the center, served with a basket of not-so-good corn chips. Their salsa had a nice kick.

A couple of Miller Lites later, LC decided on the NEW! Buffalo chicken tacos. Among the choices of sides he got the fresh veggies. Why? You’re at a sports bar not a salad bar. Anyway, a bowl of chicken tortilla soup and a side of onion rings sounded like the perfect cure for me. T made the wise decision to get a cheeseburger, cooked medium. Then he made the bad call of apples on the side. WTF?

Food arrived but there was a flag on the play. LC dove into his broccoli as I pounced on the onion rings. It is possible (although a long shot) that his broccoli was better than my onion rings. With an ultra-thick breading, they were the kind that the slice of onion pulls out of the breading when you take a bite. Obviously frozen. I sent them back and ordered fries instead. I hated to do it but had to send the soup back as well because it was barely luke warm.

My soup came back piping hot and hopefully not with any unsavory additives. Corn, chicken, and some peppers and tomatoes in a stew-like broth was soothing and satisfying. Fries were delivered sizzling, straight out of the fryer. They were certainly better than the half-ass onion rings.

I took a bite of one of LC’s Buffalo chicken tacos, a flour tortilla filled with fried chicken nuggets tossed in hot wing sauce, blue cheese, cole slaw, and tomatoes. The chicken tenders weren’t spicy and I didn’t care for the blue cheese. Overall, they scored low. T offered me a bite of his cheeseburger which was the real winner of the day.

Another beer for dessert and we headed out, only moments away from my soft and fluffy bed. Game over.

On this first day of Fall, I’m already missing Summer. There are few things I enjoy more than sitting outside on a hot, sunny day drinking margaritas with friends!

Last weekend the weather was perfect for the patio at Pure. P and L joined me and LC there for a pre-concert tequila toast and tacos. A round of Herradura shots with salted limes got the party started, followed by margaritas, both classic and frozen.

We ordered the usual chips, salsa, queso, and guacamole, but the chips were anything but usual. Rather than the extra-thick ones Pure usually serves, the baskets of chips were wonderfully thin…..loved ‘em! Strangely, the guacamole came with a platter of the old thick variety of chips. Their gringo style queso dip is some of the best in town topped with pureed jalapenos.

I try to order a different entree each time I visit Pure so this time I had the beef sopes con carne asada, two housemade corn-masa cakes piled high with refried beans, seared flank steak, lettuce, chopped tomato, queso fresco and sour cream. I could only eat one (what what?)…..the second one making a great dinner the next day.

L ordered a salad, perhaps with the fish? And the boys got tacos. LC had a combo of some sort….fish, shrimp, pork. Everyone enjoyed their food, the weather and the company.

Another round of tequila shots, more margaritas, and we were ready to head to The Variety Playhouse to see one of P’s favorites, Big Head Todd and the Monsters….a fun show!

When the limo arrived B and I were still rushing around getting ready for the concert. It didn’t surprise me that LC was in it. Crap, no champagne. We took a few beers for the road and proceeded to the Cooper compound, chatting and laughing all the way!

A quick stroll around the grounds of the compound just made me want to hang out there all afternoon but we were on a tight schedule. Bad Company at Chastain at 8pm.

The three of us, the Coopers, and their friend W got in the limo and sped off for a quick dinner at Meehan’s in Sandy Springs. On my last visit I only had Guinness. This time we would eat a proper meal.

It was hot outside. B ordered a Corona with salt and lime…..sounded so good me and LC got on the same train. Refreshing! Our server brought out a big bag of salt and vinegar chips for snacking.

B followed JC’s lead as they each tried the tuna tostada appetizer. Personally, I never order tuna, but I found one of her chips on my plate. A thick slice of seared tuna and a generous layer of guacamole decorated a tortilla chip. Only about eight of the chips rested on a bed of lettuce, drizzled with sriracha cream sauce. I took a bite….so good! I would order this. Seriously.

I believe W had a reuben and DC ordered the fish ‘n’ chips, but I wouldn’t bet on that.

Me and LC split an order of fish tacos and a grilled chicken BLT. Grilled fish, lettuce, and some salsa and sour cream were folded into three flour tortillas. Tex-Mex just isn’t right without guacamole and jalapenos so I was left a tad bit disappointed, but he loved ‘em.

Much better was the sandwich. Several of my favorite words came together on its menu description….bacon, avocado, smoked gouda, chipotle mayo. With the option of sweet potato fries as a side, I was sold! We didn’t care for the submarine-type roll it came on, would have been better on toasted wheat.

Only complaint about the fries, there was no dipping sauce. This dilemma always reminds me of Heaping Bowl ‘n’ Brew, the ground-breaking restaurant that opened in East Atlanta probably eighteen years ago. Theirs was my first experience with sweet potato fries….crisp shoestrings, sprinkled with cayenne and black pepper, served with a sweet and spicy cranberry dipping sauce. The best!

Meehan’s food is not gourmet but it is definitely several notches above standard bar-fare. I would gladly return and try the tortilla soup or one of their specialty burgers like the Farmstead Burger made with bison or the turkey burger with smoked gouda (again!), and cranberry-Vidalia marmalade (maybe they should serve that as the dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries!).

No time for dessert, we jumped in the limo and headed to Chastain where JC put our a plate of plums, grapes, cheddar cheese and red and white wine.

B and I had a great evening thanks to all the Coopers!

You might think I would be sick of guacamole and margaritas by our fourth day in Cabo, but you would be wrong. Even now, back in the states, I am craving a decent taco, looking forward to exploring some authentic tacquerias on Buford Highway!

After our appetizer tacos at O Mole Mio, B and I were strolling down a side street contemplating eating more when we were corraled by a dodgy guy offering free tortilla soup and sangria if we went to MigueLocos. Free soup you say? We followed him.

Thankfully he wasn’t a knife-wielding psychopath. We chose a table on the sidewalk with a view of the vibrantly painted interior of the restaurant with its kitschy yet inviting Mexican decor. It was obvious that most of their guests were American as English was spoken fluently.

A big bowl of tortilla soup was delivered, as promised. I thought it was quite tasty. B got the complimentary sangria which was pretty good. My margarita was perfect. Guacamole, chips, salsa, and queso with jalapenos were next. I dove into the gooey cheese, scooping it onto a corn tortilla. Everywhere we went the guacamole was great and MigueLocos was no exception.

No longer hungry but craving something fiery, I ordered the shrimp diablo. Really fresh and succulent, the shrimp were in a spicy sauce. Although I wouldn’t label it fiery, it was delicious.

My experiences with food in Cabo San Lucas were certainly consistent. Many dishes were served in a sauce and nothing was very hot and spicy. The corn tortillas were somewhat bland. I’m not sure if this is simply typical of the Baja region or if the food is dumbed down for American consumption. That would be a shame since most people these days are really seeking an authentic experience when travelling. Perhaps it’s the influence of shows like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations or Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods, both on the travel channel. I can promise you we were not offered pig brain tacos or fried grasshoppers in Cabo!

Aha! Now I have confirmation that my guacamole recipe is authentic!

Before B and I arrived at Capella Pedregal, I emailed my grocery list to the personal assistant of the residences. In addition to groceries, guests could also request snacks to be made by the assistant in their residence, including guacamole.

Naturally, I was curious to see if they used the same ingredients and method as my now-famous kickass guacamole, the recipe given to me by a Mexican cleaning lady twenty years ago.

When we arrived our refrigerator was stocked with goodies….eggs, queso, strawberries, Corona Light! The assistant explained that, due to the residences being nearly fully occupied, they would be unable to make the guacamole. They did, however, provide the ingredients: ripe avocadoes, tomatoes, a white onion, cilantro, jalapenos and limes. No garlic or mayo, honey!

I made a big batch on our third day after lounging around the pool. Chips and salsa to-go from Don Manuel’s completed our afternoon snack on our balcony, overlooking the breathtaking resort.

Heaven.

Did someone say tequila? While I’m enjoying a shot or two in Cabo, I hope you get a chance to visit Pure….their shots are the best priced in town!
Birthdays and tequila go together like PBR and tattoos. So I recommended we try a new taqueria down the street called Pure on ST’s birthday.

Located in Inman Park across from Fritti in The Grape’s old space, the vibe is cool and casual, trendy. The building has been renovated to look like a renovated garage, complete with big garage doors and vintage-looking signs. Retro 60′s formica tables complete the kitschy decor.

We started with a shot of Herradura silver, shaken with salt and lime. Smooth. I always get a Corona Light chaser. It was late, nearly 10pm by the time we got there (ay, caramba!). I was hungry and the tables are so close that I considered reaching over and sharing our neighbor’s chips, salsa, cheese dip, and guacamole, but our waitress came by so I ordered our own set.

Although slightly watery, the salsa provided an adequate kick. The “gringo” cheese dip was perfect with a dollop of jalapeno puree on top. These days it’s hard to find bad guacamole, unless it’s the pre-made crap at the grocery store. Most restaurants have figured out the standard formula, especially where they make it tableside, leaving little room for ridiculous Americanized variations with mayo or sour cream. Good, but not as good as mine! What was not to love here? The thick, boring chips.

Other appetizers that will cross my lips on future visits? Ceviches, chipotle steamed mussels, and crab fritters. I ordered a margarita with salt and enjoyed the atmosphere and the company.

Pure’s menu creatively covers all the bases without getting out of hand. Trios of tacos and entrees are served with arroz (rice) Mexicano and your choice of refried beans or “frijoles charros”, beans in a soupy broth. I’ve heard the pescado Veracruz is fabulous, but I’d probably be more apt to try the torta Cubana or quesadillas made with corn tortillas and sweet onions.

ST and I decided to split the gorditas de puerco. Two crispy corn-masa cakes stuffed with red chile shredded pork, queso fresco, and salsa verde. The meat was tender with plenty of cheese and salsa….really very tasty.

I can’t wait to return to try the homemade corn-masa tortillas with carne asada. I’m obsessed with finding tacos like the ones in Playa del Carmen a few years ago. The corn tortillas were kickass and the beef was insanely tender, topped with queso (at my gringo request), freshly made guacamole (just like mine), and a handful of cilantro. Perfect.

The staff and service at Pure was great! Our chick even brought out a complimentary birthday dessert, pineapple flan, for us to share. Sweet.

Now for the bad news. Just when you think you’ve discovered a quirky little taqueria, a funky little neighborhood spot….you find out it’s a franchise. There are only three now, but soon like will be multiplying like cucarachas!

The good news is, it made a pretty fuckin’ good first impression.