I was saddened beyond words when my favorite Mexican go-to place, Sunshine Deli in White Plains, closed without warning. Where was I going to find another place for tacos al pastor done right?!! I don't want Mexican from a place that features 2-for-1 margarita specials, nor do I want "fancy" overpriced Mexican food. I was in a period of mourning for quite some time.
Juarez is located just on the outskirts of the main commercial strip of Mamaroneck Avenue in Mamaroneck. Blink and you might miss it. Coincidentally, we went on the same day as Cinco de Mayo, which these days has become more like the Mexican version of St. Patrick's Day and no, it is "not" Mexico's Independence Day. When we arrived for lunch on a Saturday, the place was empty and a few staff were putting up Cinco de Mayo decorations, so I anticipate there may have been more patrons later that evening.
After we were seated, a small plate of warm and crunchy tortilla chips topped with refried beans and queso fresco was set in front of us. It was a great nibble as we scanned the menu, which featured a variety of tortas, tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Juarez also offered some breakfast items like huevos rancheros, soups, and larger entrees like flautas and enchiladas. No fancy descriptions here, your quesadilla will have cheese, chicken, steak, and the like. But it's what they DO here with the food that makes Juarez my new Mexican place of choice in Westchester.
In addition to the usual taco fillings of chicken, beef, and carnitas, or braised and fried pork, I was pleased to find more adventurous offerings like tacos with lengua (tongue), buche (pork stomach), cabeza (cow head), and sesos (cow brains). Juarez did not have cabeza or sesos on the day we went, so we tried the lengua, carnitas, and al pastor, which is an adobo-seasoned pork roasted on a vertical rotisserie-type contraption and is my favorite taco filling.
The first thing I noticed about the tacos is that they were much bigger, served on 6-inch wide corn tortillas rather than the smaller 4-inch ones and were generously garnished with cilantro and white onion, both raw and sauteed. Limes were also provided as well as sliced radishes and spicy pickled carrots on the side.
The carnitas was seasoned to bring out its full pork flavor and the lengua was tender. The al pastor was well-spiced with a savory paprika and oregano marinade balanced with the right level of acidity to cut through the fattiness of the pork. They were great tacos.
Holy cow tripe, the menudo was good. The gigantic bowl was bright red from the dried chilies that form the base of this filling soup. It tasted spicy without too much heat and the cilantro and white onion brightened the soup's flavors. Served with warm tortillas, this bowl of menudo is a meal in itself.
We shared a refreshing lime Jarritos soda with the meal, but Juarez also offers bottled beers such as Corona and Cerveza. The restaurant decor is homey with plastic floral tablecloths, ochre- and cobalt-painted walls, and a painting of a Mexican cocina. Not a place for a fancy dinner, but Juarez should definitely be on your list of places to try if you love tasty, down-to-earth Mexican cuisine. read more