You cross the threshold... and realize almost immediately that Los Osorio is definitely not going…read moreto be yet another of those eminently forgettable run-of-the-mill eateries. How do you know? You're not quite sure... but there's just something about this charming single room establishment that rings a bell ... Just something. Perhaps it's the colorful ornamentations that catch your eye... Perhaps. But even more to the point is the setup of the room itself - the cozy arrangement of booths and tables - that feels so warm, comfortable, pristine... special.
Seldom have I been so taken with a restaurant... and even before being seated. Pleasant, knowledgeable service is another plus. However, it is ultimately the outstanding quality and preparation of authentic Mexican cuisine that truly sets this establishment apart.
The menu here is quite extensive - including desserts and kids' meals - with all the usual South of the Border suspects present and accounted for. Your gastronomic journey begins with Sides & Starters and then moves on through such familiar rubrics as Tacos... Salads... Burgers, Tortas, Flautas... Burritos & Quesadillas, and House Plates. Trust me, plenty of choices to keep you happy.
However, you would do well be bear in mind that portion sizes here are more than generous, occasionally bordering on the humongous... like the chimichanga, for instance (pictured). Since at the outset you will probably be ingesting a significant amount of complimentary house-made chips & salsa, and also, perhaps, planning to finish up with dessert, discretion may, indeed, be the better part of valor. In other words, skip the starters, saving yourself a few bucks in the process, and head straight for the main course. Trust me on this... Unless you just happen to possess the appetite of a starving yak, you will, undoubtedly, still end up toting home a doggie bag.
One additional thought... As I noted above, the quality of the cuisine here is consistently first-rate. But any restaurant, no matter how excellent in scope and highly regarded it may be, is still - in contrast to all its culinary pluses - somehow capable of concocting a dish that is destined to become its singular point of weakness, its "Achilles heel" so to speak.
In the case of Los Osorio, this turned out to be one of their highly-touted "House Plates": Grilled Salmon. There was certainly nothing amiss with the accompaniments, as the rather dashing combo of pico de gallo and freshly cut mango added its own unique exotic flavor to the festivities. As did the filet's irresistible orange zest glaze.
Unfortunately, the problem was the salmon filet itself. Pale of color and tasteless, it had fallen victim to finny fare's most nefarious saboteur... overcooking. And not just a touch overdone either. No, the dense dry flesh told the story, and it was not a pretty one. A steak knife would have come in handy.
Achilles heel notwithstanding, however, Los Osorio still has a great deal to offer and is, in my opinion, definitely worthy of a visit. And should you decide to pay a call, my piece of advice is relatively simple... Stick with the more traditional Mexican fare - tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tamales, fajitas, enchiladas, etc. - and you certainly can't go wrong.
But I would also suggest that you leave room for dessert. The sweet endings here are quite diverse and run the gamut from South of the Border favorites - Trés Leches, Churros filled with strawberry, apple, or caramel; Sopapillas served with vanilla ice cream powdered sugar, strawberries and side of caramel or chocolate sauce - to more traditional options such as Cheesecake and Triple Chocolate Cake.
My own personal recommendations represent a bit of both worlds... If you enjoy ice cream in all its various forms and permutations, for example, then I would go straight for the luscious Fried Ice Cream (pictured on left). Garnished with chocolate & caramel sauces, whipped cream, and cherry crown, this eminently shareable dessert is guaranteed to satisfy those creamy cravings. On the other hand, if you're a tad more adventurous of palate, the Cheesecake Taco (pictured on right) also has a great deal to offer. Homemade lemon cheesecake is nestled inside a cinnamon & sugar dusted flour tortilla, dotted with strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and drizzled with chocolate sauce. The result is simply not to be missed.
If you enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine, as I mentioned above, Los Osorio is definitely worth a visit... Just don't forget to BYOB.