I love Mexican food (not the Tex Mex) almost as much as I love Korean food, however, trying to find a "really good authentic" Mexican restaurant in the Boise area has been challenging to say the least. I've been here for almost 2 years and the BEST Mexican food I have found was in Twin Falls. NO I do not want to go to Twin Falls to get Mexican food, especially w/ the price of gas now.
I was searching online for a new restaurant to go to for lunch and for some reason "Garibaldis Garden City" popped up. First, Garibaldis, does not really sound like a Mexican restaurant, but after reading the reviews and checking out their website, I am thinking why not...can't be any worse than Andrades, Chapala or Barrigas. Went in around noon, not crowded, but again its gorgeous outside, and I like a relaxed atmosphere. We sat at the bar, our server (bartender) Michael (who is from San Diego) was great. We really didn't need any recommendations because I already had set in my head what I was going to order.
We started out with the "salsa flight", 3 different salsas, 1 smokey hot sauce, 1 more chunky and a mango habanero" which all 3 were very good. I loved that there was actually some spice and heat in all 3. Okay, the Mango it grows on you, the more you eat it the better it gets.
We also ordered a maggie on the rocks w/ Casa Amigos Reposado and a ranch water with the Blanco.
I also ordered the Coctel Garibaldis, which is shrimp & octopus and the shrimp was nice and large and the octopus was a nice size, NEITHER was mushy, THEY BOTH tasted so fresh (enough to share).
For our main, Chicken Fajitas and Carne Asada....I normally do not like the refried beans here in Boise at the Mexican restaurants we have tried, but these beans tasted like HOME, LIKE MY MOTHER IN LAW MADE THEM~! The chicken fajitas ...there was actually MORE CHICKEN than peppers which is a 1st...and it was huge slices and chunks. My Carne Asada, OMG, huge amount and it was so flavorful, I doubt I could have done any better.
NOW, I am a tortilla snob and I make my own flour tortillas, but THEY HAD SERIOUSLY LITERALLY the best DAMN corn tortillas I have tasted in YEARS! They almost look like flour, but once you taste them, incredible.
We (he) ordered the Coco Flan for dessert, I don't do dessert so I ordered the Casa Azul Anejo....met 2 women drinking Maggies, we agreed, if we are going to do calories, we are drinking them and not eating them...but in all, the SERVICE, Food, the atmosphere, was all worth it. Will we go again, YOU BET, I may even have to sneak over for a few lunches by myself it was that good.
Again, thanks Michael, you were on Point! read more