We stopped at Mixtura because it was relatively close to JFK after a late-night arrival. It was a…read moreSaturday around 10 p.m., and finding an open place to eat at that hour was not easy, so this felt like a practical option on the way home. I live in New Jersey, and I knew that if I didn't eat somewhere near the airport, I was probably not going to eat at all that night.
We ordered papa a la huancaína, a tamal, and leche de tigre, and the total came to about $48, which Its affordable by the area standards. Peruvian food is not necessarily cheap, so my issue was not mainly the price. My issue was the quality and the care behind the food.
Its important to note here I am Peruvian, so I say this with real knowledge of the cuisine and with disappointment, not malice.
The papa a la huancaína came with about four or five potato pieces, half an egg, one lettuce leaf, and no olive. Quantity-wise, the potatoes were fine, but the sauce told the whole story. It barely tasted like ají amarillo, and the flavor felt muted and commercial, like it was made more for cost control than for enjoyment. Huancaína sauce should have character, richness, and that unmistakable Peruvian flavor. This one felt flat.
The tamal was decent in flavor, so I will give credit there, but it had only one slice of pork, no egg, and very little ají. It was a good size, but still did not feel worth the price. Again, it felt like the ingredients were being stretched too far.
The most disappointing item was the leche de tigre. This is a dish that deserves much more respect because for many people, ceviche and related dishes are among the most recognized parts of Peruvian cuisine. This preparation did not feel delicate or authentic. It tasted like corners were cut. As someone who knows Peruvian food and has worked in restaurants before, I understand that using enough lime to properly prepare fish is expensive in the U.S. But that is exactly the point: if you are going to serve this dish, then do it right. If not, don't present it as something special. $21 for this? Honestly, I felt CHEATED.
What frustrated me most is that this restaurant clearly has potential. The decor is nice, ready for selfies and Instagram pictures; you can tell effort was put into the presentation of the space. But to me, it felt like more attention went into ambiance than into the food itself. My impression was that the restaurant is aimed more at people who are not very familiar with Peruvian food and may accept a more mediocre version of it.
For someone who truly knows and loves Peruvian cuisine, this was disappointing. I've had much better Peruvian food in less polished places in New Jersey, especially in Paterson. The decor at Mixtura may be prettier, but the food I had there was, at best, low-end mediocre.
I ate it because I was hungry and it was late, and I appreciate that they were open when I needed a meal. But I would not go back, even in the same situation again.
If you are Peruvian or very familiar with authentic Peruvian food, this may not be the place for you. If you are simply craving something nearby and are not especially focused on authenticity or quality, then maybe it will work for you. But for me, this is a one-time visit only. Sorry, its a NO-GO for a second visit.
