Mexican Food

[ewevitt]

Originally Posted by Lafferty Daniel

If a Mexican joint doesn't have habaneros, it's a fake.

So you are saying that all the Mexican joints that only speak Spanish are fake because they don't have habaneros? When I learn Spanish I will let them know they don't have real Mexican food.

[ewevitt]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Try no one could know about your PMs. The OP asked for suggestions and because they are mature enough to realize that it's all a matter of taste. You have your opinions and others have theirs. There is no right or wrong here, folks.

It is not a matter of taste. It is a matter of knowledge and experience Mr. Monitor. How more passive aggressive can you get?

[Ghengis]

there is a Don Julio's Restaurant in North Branch that has great food, can't attest for their authenticity but the food is yummy. Just off the interstate in the shopping mall to the West. Do yourself a favor the next time you are stuck in Sunday afternoon traffic heading home and stop in. They also have restaurants in Forest Lake and White Bear Lake. Huge menu, reasonable prices and you're sure to have enough left over for lunch tomorrow...try the Mexican Soup.

Don Julio - North Branch, MN

[Lafferty Daniel]

Originally Posted by ewevitt

So you are saying that all the Mexican joints that only speak Spanish are fake because they don't have habaneros? When I learn Spanish I will let them know they don't have real Mexican food.

Please learn Spanish and ask the Mexican restaurants if they have habenaro peppers. You might be surprised. (But in Spanish.)

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by ewevitt

It is not a matter of taste. It is a matter of knowledge and experience Mr. Monitor. How more passive aggressive can you get?

I'm not monitoring anything.

I'm saying that your basic premise -- that there is a right or wrong answer to a best restraurant question-- is nonsense. Other people with just as much knowledge and experience have different opinions than yours. Your opinions on this aren't the right answer just because you think they are.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

This was a fun topic to read through. Here are a few points I'd like to make as a self-proclaimed Mexican food snob.

1) El Loro can be added to the don't bother list, (along with Acapulco, Don Pablos, Taco Bell, Rosa Mexicano)
2) Although admittedly I haven't spent a ton of time on St. Paul's Westside, I know it well enough to confidently conclude that South Minneapolis is superior when it comes to Mexican food offerings. If you insist on heading over there though, you should waste no time and head straight to Burrito Mercado.
3) Price was mentioned as a complaint earlier in the topic, specifcally for Taqueria Los Ocampo. I happen to agree that the food there is overpriced. My rebuttal to that is to head a few blocks west of there on Lake Street to a place called Gorditas El Gordo (ironically, it's located next to Taco Bell). In my opinion this offers you the best top to bottom menu of authentic Mexican food at a more affordable price point than Los Ocampo.
4) I'm appalled nobody has mentioned Taqueria La Hacienda yet (2 locations in South Minneapolis on 4th Ave and E Lake St and in Mercado Central on Bloomington and E Lake). Most people I know agree that it is better than Taco Taxi for tacos, tortas and alambres.
5) For Mexican breakfast options (huevos a la mexicana, chilaquiles, etc.) look no further than La Loma located in the Midtown Global Market. The food there is very reasonably priced too.
6) Manny's Tortas has the best tortas in the the Twin Cities (located in the Midtown Global Market and Mercado Central)
7) For Pozole, I'd recommend the pozoleria in Mercado Central or at Gorditas El Gordo
8) For tamales, I strongly recommend La Loma in Mercado Central (or Midtown Global Market).
9) I love the recommendation somebody made for Alborada Market. They recently expanded their restaurant and have good offerings there.
10) Finally, if you venture to South Minneapolis for Mexican food, beware of Marisqueria La Que Buena. I've had a few terrible experiences there and will never go back. Even if you luck out and get good food there, the place has a very shady vibe to it. With so many great options nearby it doesn't make any sense to bother going there.

[l12]

Everyone will tell you to go to place on Lake Street. But, in my experience, they are too depressing and boring to be much fun, with decor like a McDonald's and no alcohol served, a very fast foody experience... As a tourist you deserve better:

Go to El Burrito Mercado in St. Paul (not Minneapolis). It is an amazing Mexican supermarket and restaurant with very authentic and delicious food in the heart of a somewhat charming Mexican neighborhood.

In Minneapolis, Midtown Global Market is a great experience in general, and Sonora grill has some of the best tacos I have ever had. (Yes, this is on Lake St. but it is not a normal business but a big indoor market full of small stands and shops.)

Near the airport/South suburbs, I like Andale in Richfield. (77th & Nicollet near I-494).

Downtown, Salsa a la Salsa is pretty good, and I have heard Masa is very good as well (fancier options). Pancho Villa's is your traditional big lively Mexican restaurant with cheap drinks and karaoke, food just decent.

[TerryDactyls]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

I'm not monitoring anything.

I'm saying that your basic premise -- that there is a right or wrong answer to a best restraurant question-- is nonsense. Other people with just as much knowledge and experience have different opinions than yours. Your opinions on this aren't the right answer just because you think they are.

I have to agree. First of all, are you asking about true Mexican cuisine or Tex-Mex? They are very different and many people only like one or the other. Being in Texas, the restaurants around here are primarily Tex-Mex and a lot of people don't even try Mexican. To my taste, I like a little heat, but that's just me.