Mexican in Vancouver

[shelora]

Tuesdays are $1.50 Taco specials and if you eat 12 or more you can write your achievement and name on a Sombrero and they will staple it to the ceiling.  He was saying on Tuesdays they are selling from 700 to 1000 Taco's! 

←

I'm starting to feel faint.

[Wojo]

I recently visited Lolita's at 1326 Davie Street (Bute Street) and enjoyed the experience. (I think it replaced a restaurant called Random.)

Three of us arrived at about 8 pm this past Saturday. There was a bit of a line up, but we got in right away because we were willing to sit at the bar. I don't think Lolita's takes reservations.

The food was very tasty, although not quite as spicy as I would prefer. I had the halibut tacos with corn tortillas, rice, beans and salad for about $13. The halibut came with a mango salsa and pickled cabbage. I shared a chile rellano stuffed with crab (a special that evening) and enjoyed a drink called Montezuma's Revenge ... dark rum, pineapple juice and ginger beer. I'm not a big cocktail drinker as they are usually too sweet. However, this drink went down very nicely.

Lolita's is quite small. I think there were perhaps 40 people squeezed into the place. Not sure how all the waiters manage to weave between the tables and bar. Great atmosphere.

[11son]

Hello all.

I have been a long-time reader/lurker, but have just received my stripes, and am very excited about starting to give back. Yours is an intelligent, insightful, and courteous community, and I'm honoured to be a part of it.

I'm Vancouver born and bred, but have been living for many years in Northern California until last summer. So it has been with great interest that I have been following this thread.

Before I went away, Topanga cafe on 4th was fairly unanimously considered Vancouver's gold standard for mexican. I've been back since I've been back, and its not the same. Or maybe it is and it's me that's not. Either way, I was sad, because between that and the red wine, there were now two things Californian with which my homeland could not compete.

So having read about it on here, my Tasty Companion and I rolled over to La Casita to check it out.

Well, first they brought us some hand made chips and salsa. The chips were fine but not exceptional, and the salsa was disappointing. Still, the service was warm and attentive, and the margaritas (made with house tequila "olmeca"), which Tasty had ordered up even before she sat down, were top-notch. Seriously. I've had one or two in my day, and these were great.

We tried a couple of tacos (the chicken swissa ones) as appys, and they were lovely. Very authentic mexican, like the kind you expect to order in some dingy little place with a smiley and kind yet mischievous looking mexican matron running the kitchen. They were that yummy. Good quality chicken, lovely salsa, cheese and sauce.

Then came the mains. Again, I was ready to be disappointed... It seems so often these days that places serve great appys and sides, but the mains just don't hold up. Not this time.

My Tasty Companion had the blackened cod, which came with hand made tortillas (the real deal, like on the street in san miguel alliende), black beans, rice, and the standard salad. She says the rice was good but not exceptional. The salad was a really nice kind of a marinated cole-slaw situation with tomatoes and avocado. The beans were perfect black beans, served in a little bowl which kept them warm for the duration of the meal. The cod itself was lovely. Tender, and very flavourful. Wrapped in the tortillas with some beans and the whole thing was perfect.

But not as good as what I had.

I ordered the Burrito de Alambre special. poblana peppers, bacon, onion, fajita steak, and cheese. I got the add-on where they wrap the whole deal up and bake some sour cream and cheese on top, and give you a really nifty salsa verde to go with it (I highly recommed this option). It came with what they call Texas rice: A little bowl of rice topped with a red enchillada type sauce with cheese baked over it.

My whole meal was fantastic. The burrito was amazing, the salsa delectable, and the rice perfect as well. I can't say enough good things about our dinner. We'll definitely go back, and if they are consistently as good as tonight, this place is a definite candidate for a Vancouver institution.

After dinner, the very sweet server person suggested that we have a churro for dessert. It wasn't amazing (maybe I was biased by the fact that I had seen her pull it out of the freezer section of the fridge that sits randomly in one corner of the restaurant) but it was hard to complain too much about it for a buck and a half. Plus Tasty had ordered us a couple more of those dandy margaritas, so we thought we might as well.

All and all a very nice dinner indeed. So go, good people. Check it out.

And thanks for having me as part of your community. Oh, and if you know of a good-value bottle of big chewy complex red at the LDB that will help assuage my california cab addiction, let me know. (Privately of course. I don't want to get called out for derailing this thread with my very first post)

[11son]

Aw, thanks you guys!

I ended up at churroliscious the night it opened (or maybe it was even a few nights before). I was actually at the bar next door (the name of which escapes me right now), noticed the new churro place, and went in to chat with the nice lady who seemed to be running the it. She offered me some free churro, I guess as a PR move.

I think I need to go back to re-sample so as to provide an honest assessment. But as I recall, they were very fresh and appropriately crispy without being dry and bland. Oh, and they had a nice moist center (a trait they shared with the freezer ones at La Casita). I guess if I had one complaint it would be this: In my view a churro needs to have a certain amount of character. It needs to taste like it came from a dirty little churro stand, or fell on the floor of your Mexican grandma's kitchen. I dunno if it's the grease component, or the actual ingredients, or the way a churro needs to be prepared or what, but IMHO a churro (like a good matzoh ball soup, or macaroni and cheese, or any other comfort food) only tastes right if you can taste the love that's gone into it.

The churro I had at churrolicious was technically perfect, but it just didn't seem to me that the love was there. That was the main difference. The La Casita churro wasn't as good technically, and tasted a teensy bit like freezer, but it did have more love.

Maybe it was just me. Or maybe they didn't quite have all the kinks out yet at churrolicious . Or maybe it was because the whole experience was soured by the cranky people at the bar next door, who wouldn't let me bring my churro in with me. I seemed to have touched quite a nerve with them. I guess since the churro place had arrived they'd been somewhat inundated by churro samplers. Anyone know if they have since softened their stance?)

In any event, that's my recollection. I'll probably have to go back and try it again now though.

Sure sure ... butter us up, and then drop a bomb on our wine industry! 

Heh. Pretty smooth, huh?

I actually wasn't so much trying to hack the industry. More being open about my own ignorance. I'm sure there are good wines produced here, I just haven't found them yet. My bigger issue is that I'm having a hard time finding truly great reds in the 20$ range here. Whereas, down there, great 10-20$ cabs are everywhere. So now I'm trying to learn more about the Italian and Australian options.

I'll stop now though, because we're here to talk about mexican food. But private tips are much appreciated

Anyway, thanks again for the warm welcome, you guys. It's good to be here.

[fud]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm drawn to try this place now since my only real idea of mexican food in this fair city is Las Margaritas on 4rth and "Carlos or Charlies" in Port Moody.

I will mention that Carlos is a really funny owner who greeted us at lunch with a diatribe on how we can call him Carlos OR we can call him Charlie, it's ok he doesn't mind either.

[PaoPao]

Tuesdays are $1.50 Taco specials and if you eat 12 or more you can write your achievement and name on a Sombrero and they will staple it to the ceiling.  He was saying on Tuesdays they are selling from 700 to 1000 Taco's! 

←

I'm starting to feel faint.

←

My buddy and I finally got up the courage to tackle Taco Tuesday .... I'm proud to say a Sombrero featuring Pao Pao and the # 12 now adorns the ceiling forever immortalizing that I will never, ever, do that again. Good Taco's though!

[snacky_cat]

Just got back from lunch at La Casita with PapaCat. I had the "super tortilla soup" , not to be confused with the normal tortilla soup (apart from the $1 gap in price, I have no idea what makes the two different and I forgot to ask.) PapaCat had the special of the day, consisting of a huge bowl of "cowboy bean soup" (black beans, bacon, tortilla strips and other goodies), a nice portion of carne asada, and an egg cooked on top of a tortilla blanketed with a lightly spicy sort of puréed salsa. Everything was delicious, and the bill was less than $20 after tax and before tip!

I haven't had tortilla soup since I was in LA at the beginning of the year and this was even better than what I had down there. Not at all greasy like many tortilla soups, with crisp tortilla strips, big chunks of fresh avocado, and thinly sliced smoky wonderful strips of what I think is an ancho chile (my chile identification skills are woefully poor.). The flavour combinations are great - nothing gets lost in the spice as often happens, and you can really taste each ingredient. The bowl filled me up quite nicely. I managed to snag a couple bites of carne asada as well, which were fantastic - nice and juicy and perfectly seasoned.

[FannyBay]

Tried Lolita's last week. Liked it, reminded me of a Mexican Bin 941. Enjoyed the slightly bohemian service, liked the food a lot, although it's still very "mushy" as compared to the Mexican restaurants in California and Texas. We still seem to be missing that clean taste. Ceviche, fresh tomato, etc. I am not even sure we saw refried beans on the menus in California. I hear there is a good Mexican place in North Van, I gather it's more takeaway then eat in, but apparently quite authentic. Lonsdale perhaps, does anyone know where it is or what it's called?

[sanrensho]

I hear there is a good Mexican place in North Van, I gather it's more takeaway then eat in, but apparently quite authentic. Lonsdale perhaps, does anyone know where it is or what it's called?

←

Sorry to say, but the takeaway place on Lonsdale (adjacent to the Safeway) is long gone, as mentioned in the donut thread.

There's another mexican place on lower Lonsdale, in the same block as the Pink Elephant. I haven't been there, though.

Edited November 10, 2005 by sanrensho (log)

[mtigges]

The best place for Mexican in North Van that I have found (though I haven't tried the place sanrensho mentioned) is in the Quay market. It's called Jalesco and is beside what used to be the wine store. They're a deli serving more food court style, but VERY GOOD. And they have an excellent selection of ingredients for cooking.

Go there the next time you're in the Quay. I hope he doesn't mind me mentioning his name, but Ron Shewchuck recommended the place very strongly during his night at Barbara-Jo's.

Mark.

[Mooshmouse]

In today's Westcoast Life section of The Vancouver Sun, Brooke Larsen profiles Olé Olé, a Mexican restaurant in New Westminster that's been drawing regulars "from North Vancouver, Surrey and White Rock" with its unpretentious homemade food. Owner and Chef Raul Senties has been cooking since the age of eight when he began helping his mother in the kitchen during their years in Mexico City.

He makes it sound simple, but the flavours are dazzlingly complex.  Take his mole, a rich, feisty sauce made with 28 ingredients, including 4 kinds of hot pepper.

If you concentrate you can even taste the hint of chocolate that senties swears is in there...

Other highlights inlcude the carnitas, flavourful barbecued pork served with soft tortillas and homemade guacamole, or the chilaquiles, broken sombrero chips cooked in salsa with chicken, beef or chorizo.

Apparently, the priciest menu item is $9.75 (Mexican pork stew with rice and beans) with most generously-sized dishes averaging around the $8 mark.

Olé Olé Mexican Restaurant

831 12th Street, New Westminster

604-540-7435

Open Noon to 9:00 p.m. daily

[Daddy-A]

Olé Olé Mexican Restaurant

831 12th Street, New Westminster

604-540-7435

Open Noon to 9:00 p.m. daily

←

Stovetop rec'd this place to me last year. Pretty damn good ... even if it's in New Westminster

A.

[Bill Miller]

We were in Vancouver a few weeks ago and were looking for Pacific NW fare, mainly fish, found it and had a wonderful experience. I'm posting because looking at your tourist materials and phone book I believe you have more Mexican restaurants!! We are from Texas and came north to get cool weather and have a break from that cuisine. We get it a lot. From what I'm reading you all love Mexican food up there and it sounds like you do a pretty good job of it. Someone told me that Tex-Mex was the fastest growing cuisine in China of all places! I guess it's like anything else you always need a break from the routine. Regards, Bill

[Daddy-A]

The Red Burrito is a recent additon to the Commercial Drive dining scene. It sits on the corner of 1st and Commercial in what seems to be a bit of a restaurant graveyard. Some hope was raised that Red Burrito would give the Mexican scene in Vancouver a much needed shot in the arm.

I'm here to dash those hopes.

It's not that the food is bad ... but it's nothing different from anything else being offered at dozens of other establishments.

The menu at Red Burrito. Essentially you pick the type of meal (burrito, taco, bol(?) ...) and then the meat. The you can add salsas, chips, etc. etc.

The first thing I noticed ... no pork! Steak, chicken, veggie & shrimp. No pork. The second thing? Tomales only available in chicken. No biggie, just odd.

Steak Tacos. These were pretty good, but nowhere near as good as I've had in PV or in Portland for that matter. Your tortilla options are "white" or "brown" ... no corn . Salsa tasted fresh and home made. I'd give them about a 6/10

Tomale Plate. Notice how the tomale is kinda shiny? That's because it was still wrapped in plastic when I received it. Again, not a big deal ... i.e. nothing that couldn't be fixed with some FOH training. Beans with cueso and Mexican rice rounded out a pretty disappointing meal. 4/10.

Prices were pretty reasonable, and the staff was friendly and helpful.

But authentic it ain't.

A.

[Andrew Morrison]

I've had several dinners at Lolita's over the last two weeks with different groups of eGulleters (the very best in research/dining companions ).

I'd gone before for post-shift binges, but these recent visits were my first relatively "sober" forays through their menu. Though I agree with the "MexiBin" comment above, I'd argue Gord et al are on a different plane altogether. Lolita's nails the fun and decor components, but foodwise it's little league to the Bins big (love it though I do).

Holy cocktails! Their "Del Monte" ($7.50) with muddled pineapple and strawberry infused vodka "escorted by" guava and passionfruit (all under a hot pink umbrella) pulled my stockings down and called me the dirtiest of names. Freakin' awesome.

[inanimate]

the red burrito's menu looks like it was ripped off almost verbatim from chipotle's in the states, which had some pretty amazing mexican-like fast food. That is, except for weaker meat options at the red burrito vs chipotle's.

Chipotle also grilled their steak and chicken which was actually really very very well prepared.

[Xando Head]

the red burrito's menu looks like it was ripped off almost verbatim from chipotle's in the states, which had some pretty amazing mexican-like fast food. That is, except for weaker meat options at the red burrito vs chipotle's.

Chipotle also grilled their steak and chicken which was actually really very very well prepared.

←

I was just about to say the same thing -- I googled but couldn't find a photo of a menu board at Chipotle's, but with the exception of no pork, it looks incredibly similar. Here's the wikipedia that describes their menu -- even the salsa choices are very similar, if not the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill

Edited February 13, 2006 by Xando Head (log)

[eatrustic]

Sigh!........In addition to Red Burritos I have to report that Hola Churros which has recently opened on Broadway near Parthenon doesn't look much better.

The selection is more than just churros with Burritos, Quesadillas, Tortas etc. I tried a little sampler plate and although it's still early the quality of the ingredients is just not authentic enough, lacks flavour and freshness in the salsas etc. The space is fairly large and decorated in that overexuberant romantic mexican style. They do have a great space in the back though for kids to play, with toys and a flat screen tv playing Disney videos.

The sense is one of dumbed down Mexican in the hope that there will be wide appeal.

The beverage board features Mexican juices called Aquas Frescas, but worried that no one will know what that means they have changed the name to Fresh Water.

When asked what I thought of the food I did make the suggestion that they should try to be more authentic as there are tons of people on the West Side who would patronize. I'll check back a couple more times to see if they evolve. They deserve the chance.

[Andrew Morrison]

They do have a great space in the back though for kids to play, with toys and a flat screen tv playing Disney videos.

It's conditioning for the rigmarole of adulthood:

They have a great space in the back for grown-ups to play, with muddled cocktails and a flat screen TV playing par-per-view.

What's the difference?

[Albondigas]

For a long time I've believed that a very clear demarcation line on the map exists in regards to Mexican food. South of the line good Mexican food can be found but north of the line, forget it, it just can’t be done. It’s kind of like the line that could be drawn on a map to show the advance north of killer bees.

Experience tells me that a visit to a Mexican restaurant North of this line will be disappointing and Vancouver is so far north of the line that any hope of a good AND authentic meal is a pipe dream. Get in the car and drive south to Super Rica in Santa Barbara. While I-5 is a food lover’s hell the reward at Super Rica will be worth the drive. North of that you are rolling the dice and north of, say Napa or Sonoma, we try out of desire more than any realistic expectation of great Mexican food.

That’s not to say that some of our Mexican restaurants aren’t sometimes good (and in a pinch will help us come close to getting our fix) or that a dedicated cook can’t make a run of it at home, its just that Mexican food requires a certain something, maybe it a warm climate thing, that does not move north very well

[gerald]

Daddy A

I couldn't help but notice the backdrop for your tamale pic, bottom right hand corner, Is it subliminal, or just an amusing mistake.

edited for the correct pic

Edited February 20, 2006 by gerald (log)

[Vancouver]

I have to agree going south of the border (not too far) can turn up some truly excellent Mexican food. The best I've had is at a small mexican market that has a restaurant in it located in Bellingham. I forget the name of it, but it is slightly east of I-5 across from the Bells Fair Mall. It is in the same parking lot as a big car wash. The menus are all in Spanish only, the clientele are all Mexican, and the food is all extremely authentic. I know exactly how to drive there (and do when I'm passing through Bellingham), but I forget the name. Maybe someone else knows the name? It is only 20 minutes from the border.

Cheers!

[Vancitygirl]

I braved the roadworks along Commercial Drive to check out Red Buritto. I agree the menu was very limited and it really is nothing different from anything we have already. Steamrollers comes to mind.

I did have a delicious chicken buritto though. The chicken was crisp (kinda scary because it had obviously rotated around of one of those gyros type of broilers that don't seem all that hygenic to me) and there was some flavourful rice and beans inside. The sauces were tasty. I added guacomole for an extra buck or two. I left smelling like I was mexican food. Not all that ventilated there.

Edited because my speeling often sucks

Edited February 22, 2006 by Vancitygirl (log)

[eatvancouver]

I haven't tried Red Burrito yet, but if it is indeed merely a Chipotle clone, I pretty much have. And although Chipotle certainly isn't good, although it is serviceable in a pinch, it's light years beyond the soggy, flavorless crap you get at Steamrollers. Steamrollers really is the bottom of the barrel; I imagine it was conceived by someone who has never tasted a proper burrito, and has an obsession with steam.

I haven't tried all of the places on this thread yet, but from what I have tried I would have to say, no, it's not possible to find good mexican/tex mex/salvadorian/peruvian/bolovian/etc. It's a real disappointment because I come from a town in friggin' Virginia where the above was easier to find. Then again, about 60% of the population was hispanic, so perhaps it's not that surprising. I'll break down what I have tried so far.

Andales: Simply brutal. Last time I checked there is no Mexican, Tex-mex, or South American cuisine that serves everything in the same bland tomato sauce.

Pepitas: A notch above Andales.

That place on 70th and Granville: It really doesn't get much worse than this. The tacos are no better than taco bell, and no thanks, I wouldn't like my dinner served on a cold tortilla which was obviously in a plastic bag a few minutes ago.

Riconcita on commercial: Reasonable. It's fairly authentic, except that it's obvious a lot of the time that the kitchen staff really doesn't care much, sending out food that is oftentimes underseasoned, or had clearly been sitting out for quite a while.

Los Margaritas: Let's put loads of monterrey jack cheese on everything and call it mexican food!

And it is seriously hard to find a decent Mexican beer in this town. Corona, as it were, is watered-down drippings of infected chihuahua penis

Edited February 22, 2006 by eatvancouver (log)

[eatrustic]

Eatvancouver..... Are you slagging Steamrollers or Steamworks ??