Hot Dish Review

This heat almost reminds me of Brazil, minus the part where there is no air-conditioning and the only clothing you can comfortably wear is a bikini. Here, thankfully, bikinis are optional. Especially when me and B are chowing down on baskets of chips, fajitas, and tacos at El Taco.

Their patio is the perfect spot to chill out and sip tangy margaritas with salt. On Saturday our server recommended an all natural margarita made with only lime juice, tequila, and a little agave nectar….awesome!

El Taco serves freshly made guacamole that can be spiced up with jalapenos and cilantro from their salsa bar. The cheese dip is the perfect consistency to cling to chips, although I do wish their chips were a bit thinner, like Uncle Julio’s.

B ordered the steak and shrimp fajitas while I got my usual red chili steak taco having already filled up on chips and dips, as planned. At just $3.95, the taco is full of grilled steak, crispy onions, and tomatillo-lime salsa. I get it on a corn tortilla and add a bit of shredded cheese, guacamole, cilantro, and jalapenos…..delicious!

The fajitas came out on a sizzling platter. Of course B let me have one! I was impressed with the perfectly cooked fat shrimp and tender steak, although B mentioned that the steak would have been easier to eat had it been sliced thinner (true). At $14.50 the portion was not huge but I think the flavor compensates.

I like El Taco. It’s close to home, the margaritas are great, the food is fresh and flavorful. Only problem, I always have a huge bill because they nickle and dime you on everything. Chips and salsa are $2.50, guacamole and chips are $5.75, and queso is $4.75….$13 just to get started! Ouch. Have another margarita and maybe it won’t sting so much.

Despite the fact that Cinco de Mayo is not a real holiday, it is one of my favorites. We all know it’s merely an excuse for Americans to celebrate what many think is Mexican Independence Day with all the traditional fare, especially tequila!

May 5th actually commemorates the unlikely victory of the Mexican Army over French forces in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. So why not celebrate it on the 6th? That’s what we did….me, ST, MC, and B, just a few days before her birthday!

I used to make chicken taquitos for Cinco, but these days I make quesadillas with chicken, green chilis, black beans, and queso blanco, or my fancy caramelized onions, goat cheese and spinach version. And of course, what celebration would be complete without my kickass guacamole? You have surely tried it by now….shame on you if you haven’t. Uncle Julio’s has great chips that I get to go.

I purchased a bottle of Patron Silver (although I really wanted Herradura), so ST and I dosed ourselves prior to our arrival at the restaurant. A six pack of Corona Lite, limes, and pre-mixed lazy-ass margaritas that are actually quite good rounded out my pre-dinner drinking (I was sorta indecisive). El Taco makes a great margarita, the house is only $5.95….tangy and salty. I had one upon arrival.

When I don’t host a Cinco celebration at home I can be found on a patio at some Mexican restaurant in town. This year we went to El Taco.

Their chips are thin and light, served with very good white cheese dip, passable guacamole (people, please put cilantro, jalapenos, and tomato in your guac!), and an interesting selection of salsas on their salsa bar.

I usually like their red chili steak tacos and the chorizo tacos, both served in soft flour tortillas, but they weren’t as good as I remembered on this visit. Although I prefer soft corn tortillas, I’ve practically given up on finding authentic flavorful ones like in Mexico….guess I’ll have to wait ’til July to enjoy the real thing!

My man tried the pork carnitas tostadas. They photographed much better than the tacos (see above). All was good on their patio, although I wish that damn fan would malfunction!

Happy whatever de Mayo! And happy birthday B!

Last week I stumbled upon an article about the lengthy leisurely lunches typical of Mexico called la comida, starting around 3pm and lasting, sometimes, until 7pm. I totally get that….confirms my suspicions that I was Mexican in a past life!

I’ve always felt a special affinity towards Mexico….the food, the people, the place. Making guacamole, quesadillas, and flautas is second nature to me, no recipes required (although you may need one here is my kickass quac recipe!). And everything tastes better with cilantro on it!

Those lazy lunches remind me of the old BH days when a few of us would gather at El Azteca, sit around and drink margaritas and smoke cigarettes. More friends would show up. Some would leave, some would stay. There could be as many as a dozen at a time, a revolving door of salsa and tequila, laughter and friendship….the very definition of la comida.

The first warm day of Spring you’ll find me on a patio somewhere. Friday me and ST made another visit to Pure Taqueria in Inman Park, this time for our very own la comida. I intended to make myself at home and just chill. My traditional shot of Herradura Silver, shaken, with salt and lime was a great start, followed by a Negra Modelo for him and a house margarita for me….a comparative steal at just $5.95.

Guacamole, “Gringo” cheese dip, chips and salsa were soon to follow. Their guac is good and chunky, although I wish it had more jalapeno and cilantro….always more cilantro please! Love the cheese dip with pureed jalapenos on top. But the chips….aye carumba! Too thick.

Thomas, the owner, was there. I like that. And the manager, Cliff, was very hospitable. They both recommended the jaiba, or crab fritters. Four fried balls resting in a sweet and sour chili sauce, drizzled on top with a habanero-avocado mayo. I thought they were a little fishy, didn’t love ‘em.

Then a crazy blast from the past….Pam from The Tombstones days comes out to check on us. Funny how people’s lives are intertwined.

On our first visit to Pure we didn’t try the tacos. I still search (so far in vain) for the corn tortillas of Playa del Carmen. The kind that taste like corn. Filled with tender beef, a few shreds of white queso, and that chunky guacamole with plenty of jalapenos and cilantro….the best tacos ever! I was anxious to try Pure’s tacos made with corn tortillas. Would they have that authentic Mexican corn flavor?

We ordered four tacos a la carte; camarones (shrimp) with poblano slaw, puerco (pork), beef short rib with smoky pickled red onions, and carne asada….skirt steak like in Playa del Carmen. That would be the true test. Our favorite turned out to be the shrimp, even though they were breaded and fried, they had great flavor and texture. Naturally, the tortillas were just OK, like everywhere else. The short rib taco didn’t thrill me or ST, but the others were quite good, although I must admit I think the tacos at El Taco have a slight edge.

ST ordered the grilled hanger steak and jalapeno mac ‘n’ cheese for his entree and I had the chicken enchiladas with mole sauce. Mole is an acquired taste. I don’t know why I continue to try to like it, it’s a taste I haven’t acquired. Not bad, just not my thing. ST’s steak, cooked perfectly medium was tender and delicious, although I believe mac ‘n’ cheese should always be baked. Pure’s version, with penne, could have been made with Velveeta.

No room for dessert this time…..thankfully we had dessert before we came.

I do like Pure. There are more creative dishes on the menu that I plan to try like the quesadillas made with corn masa turnovers and the Hamburguesa Sedgwick, a grilled angus burger with avocado, bacon, jalapenos, braised onions and pepperjack cheese….hell yeah!

300 N. Highland Avenue 404-522-7873