I've been to a lot of restaurants since the last time I wrote a review, and although none was bad, none has inspired me to write. But I just had a Mexican lunch (one of two I will be making out of one order of chicken quesadillas) that was quite clearly the best and most authentic Mexican food I've had since the last time I was in Mexico. It's not like I'm an expert. But it's just easy to tell the difference when the difference is this big. This wasn't just as good as what I had in Mexico. It kind of tasted the same--a rich, aromatic blend of spices that felt like they've been designed to blend, to participate in something better than any of them on its own (wonderful as they are) all on a fresh, delicious tortilla loaded with cheese.
Look, I love going to some of the other places around here, having a couple of margaritas, and pigging out on excellent "Mexican American" food. But this is different. My lunch had a complex, satisfying, home-cooked taste to it that was just exquisite. My wife had one of the rotating daily specials, enchiladas suizas, cheesy and rich. She loved them (and will also be dining on them tomorrow). We also tried the little containers of salsa that were waiting for us at the pick-up spot, one green, one red. I'm not a big fan of green salsa, but wow this was tasty. And I wish I'd gotten more of the red one, a little bit spicy, smoky, exploding with flavor and yet not overstated in the slightest. It blended perfectly with both dishes. My wife had an Agua Fresca, which I think is made in house. Strawberry, she really, really loved it.
DE is only a takeout at this point, but during the day you can bring your food next-door to the wine bar and eat it there, with their permission. I don't know whether this place can or wants to scale up, and I dread what will happen when people discover it. But, in the meantime, I will be going back as soon as I can. I can't wait to try the Chilaquiles!! read more