Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘Ameri-Mex’

Mexican Sandwich Company

1/2 *Closed sometime in early 2005

First off, I must make it clear that this place doesn't really serve Mexican sandwiches. I got excited when I first heard about it because I love tortas to death (and they probably will be the death of me will all that yummy fat). But these are not tortas, they are quesadillas. I'd almost call quesadillas Mexican pizza before I'd say Mexican sandwich, but whatever.

What inspired a visit was a viewing of that British cooking show "The Best" on Discovery Home & Leisure where three people whip up a dish based on a theme and one is swiftly declared the winner by a group of judges who are never introduced. The whole thing is so un-American, it's rapid, there's no build-up or suspense, maybe these people are somebodies, but they're never introduced, they cook, the judges eat, then text message who won, the show ends. But on this night they were making sandwiches and the female chef was making a "Mexican sandwich." The judges referred to it as a "cheese and chile flatbread." Not once was it referred to as a quesadilla, which is clearly was. The British are so weird and backwards about certain cuisines.

So, our cravings for faux Mexican food were sated by this Park Slope caf. I went for duck confit and mango salsa, and James the chorizo and white bean. Heck, it was the best filled and cooked flatbread I've had.

Mexican Sandwich Company * 322 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn,NY

Lobo

Brunch is not my thing. I partake maybe once every four months, if that. One, I can't get out of bed, and two, I'm scared of the stroller set that plagues practically every eatery in the neighborhood. Sunday, James suggested going to Hill Diner, but there was a crowd out front so we went for Lobo, across the street, instead.

I think they actually do a good breakfast and weren't packed to the gills either. I tend to admonish people who always order the same thing like they're afraid of change, but I've started realizing that I'm equally guilty. Lately, I've been noticing when I add my little write-ups here that on previous visits I'd eaten the exact same items. In this case, that would be the Texas breakfast.

I am not chaste on those rare occasions I actually do go out for breakfast or brunch. I don't want to choose between sweet or savory offerings, I want both (that's why IHOP is so genius). You need an egg, a meat and a treat, and that's what I got: two eggs over easy, a mess of bacon and two large buckwheat pecan pancakes. I don't even care much for pancakes (one would've been sufficient) but I wanted something to slather butter and drizzle maple syrup on. If I ever return, I will force myself to branch out. (11/13/05)

This is the old Harvest, which I never ate at anyway, so that doesn't mean much to me. Supposedly the brunch is the same (I mean, it's advertised as such on the window). I very, rarely brunch (did I just use brunch as a verb?). I'm just not up early enough, and if I am I'm not in the mood to deal with sitting near the type of people who do eat brunch.

Well, it turned out to be pleasing in a hearty, satisfyingly stuffed to the gills way that you can't do on a regular basis. I get the same effect from Old Devil Moon's breakfast offerings. But here they have the Tex-Mex slant as opposed to the Southern thing. Country ham, grits, huevos rancheros, big omelets, it's the works. I opted for dense, pecan-laced, buckwheat pancakes, and normally I don't even like pancakes. It just sounded so toothsome and right. And it was. (1/24/04)

Lobo * 218 Court St., Brooklyn, NY

Maryann’s

This is rapidly becoming the new Cowgirl Hall of Fame. A place with so-so food that's good for groups, I guess. A few months ago we held a party for a coworker here. More recently it was a Memorial Day meet-up location. I think it's because people dig margaritas and large plates of reasonably priced food. I just don't know. But in mixed company it's never flattering to come across as a difficult food snob. I have countless other ways of alienating people so I'll just keep my opinions on festive food to myself.

Mary Ann's * 86 Second Ave., New York, NY

La Paloma

Blech, food for people with weird standards, i.e. my friends. I thought I ordered a quesadilla though it was pretty much a burrito filled with rice (I freakin' can't stand burritos filled with rice, there is no good reason for tortillas and rice to be that close together. God, and I love carbs). Others ordered burritos and they looked like the exact same thing filled with rice. And blasphemies of blasphemies, no one had a menu to order from, they just knew what they wanted (rice-filled burritos, apparently). I wouldn't be surprised if the entire menu was composed of dishes combining, you guessed it, tortillas, beans and rice. Never again.

La Paloma * 359 W. 45th St., New York, NY

Chevy’s

1/2

It's not always easy simulating a suburban experience in Times Square, but
Chevy's comes the closest. Dinner and a movie in a multi-plex minus the
usual parking lot milieu. Just don't look out the windows or pop into the
Port Authority bar or arcade or the mirage will be ruined. Don't consult the
online menu before going or you'll just be saddened by the jacked-up midtown
prices. Hey, paradise don't come cheap.


Chevy's * 259 W 42nd St., New
York, NY

Chili’s Elizabeth

I know it's hard to believe, but I've never eaten at this fine establishment. Of course I?m a big fan of the chain restaurant, but Chili's just never seems to be in the right place at the right time. After a spell at Ikea, I wasn't sufficiently traumatized so I thought I'd throw in a little Jersey Gardens Mall for good measure. And since it appeared that the Rainforest Caf had gone bust (soon to be replaced by a wacky, colorful eatery called Kahunaville), Chili's seemed to be one of the few non-food court options. But let me clarify this, it was not a pure Chili's, but a Chili's Too. This was a bit of a letdown since I'd been hoping for the full experience.

I'm afraid that I was exposed to some pared down menu for harried shoppers and their children. I did not see any of the fancier items I know exist like Margarita Grilled Chicken or Skillet Queso, but thank goodness the Southwestern Eggrolls and Awesome Blossom were present. Actually I just had a Ground Peppercorn Burger and a water, as I was so dismayed by the abbreviated menu and surroundings. Mall restaurants don't always make the grade–just placing them in New Jersey is not enough.

Chili's* 651 Kapkowski Rd., Elizabeth, NJ

Chili’s

I know it's hard to believe, but I've never eaten at this fine establishment. Of course I?m a big fan of the chain restaurant, but Chili's just never seems to be in the right place at the right time. After a spell at Ikea, I wasn't sufficiently traumatized so I thought I'd throw in a little Jersey Gardens Mall for good measure. And since it appeared that the Rainforest Caf had gone bust (soon to be replaced by a wacky, colorful eatery called Kahunaville), Chili's seemed to be one of the few non-food court options. But let me clarify this, it was not a pure Chili's, but a Chili's Too. This was a bit of a letdown since I'd been hoping for the full experience.

I'm afraid that I was exposed to some pared down menu for harried shoppers and their children. I did not see any of the fancier items I know exist like Margarita Grilled Chicken or Skillet Queso, but thank goodness the Southwestern Eggrolls and Awesome Blossom were present. Actually I just had a Ground Peppercorn Burger and a water, as I was so dismayed by the abbreviated menu and surroundings. Mall restaurants don't always make the grade–just placing them in New Jersey is not enough.

Chili's* 651 Kapkowski Rd., Elizabeth, NJ

Radio Perfecto

I'd met friends for drinks (well, beer and wine since they don't have a real
liquor license) here before and they didn't seem that impressed with the
food. Overpriced and small, or something along those lines. But I felt like
checking out Ave. B and this place seemed like the lesser of many evils.

I'll admit that the Cubano-style empanada starter was on the tiny side,
but nicely flaky and great with the tangy jicama (or whatever it was) slaw.
My roasted half chicken with pesto and fries was more than substantial. I
had leftovers galore. James insists the chicken pot pie was less than
filling, and then proceeded to order shrimp dumplings at Forbidden City like
45 min. later. It looked o.k. to me, but maybe the roast chicken was a
better choice. Topped with sangria and key lime pie, I thought the meal did
the trick. Nothing to write home about, but reasonably priced and not
completely blah as many east village choices.


RadioPerfecto * 190 Ave. B, New York, NY

Cosmic Cantina

Blech. Maybe this place is cosmic. I hesitate to call it a cantina (that
word always conjures up the kooky Star Wars scene). I do know it's certainly
not Mexican food. I only went because it's one of three new restaurants
that's popped-up on James' corner in the past few weeks, and it looked like
the one that would best lend itself to take-out–I wasn't up for anything
spendy, fussy or time consuming.

They can take their "California-style" burritos and shove 'em where the
sun don't shine. Any place with tofu sour cream, fat-free everything and
burritos with names like Sarah and Jessica, is wrong. So wrong. Beans
should be refried, and that means lard and plenty of it. There's no way
around it. Real burritos are fat-laden and that's why they're so damn good
(and impossible to find in this town).

It's clearly geared towards the NYU contingent who think it's cool to
blow $8 on a mediocre, supposedly healthy burrito and drink specially brewed
teas and the like. Wait till they're footing their own bills and it'll be
back to Hot Pockets and Diet Coke. (6/13/01)


Cosmic Cantina * 105 Third Ave., New York, NY

Big Enchilada

I give such little thought to eating here that I've never even mentioned it
before. It's not bad, but it's not great either. My friend Jessica can't
praise it enough, but she's vegetarian and their standards are always so
askew. She insists it's comparable to west coast Mexican food, which is way
off the mark. I guess if you only eat rice and beans in your tortillas you
might not be as sensitive to regional differences. But let me tell you, it's
not the same at all. Not one bit. I will say that it's better than
San Loco or Bennies (which isn't saying much), but it's nothing to go out of
your way for. The burritos are decent, the salsa's fresh, the prices are
right and it's next door to Cinema Village. If you're catching a less than
ubiquitous movie in the neighborhood, pop in for a quick meal.


Big Enchilada * 28 E. 12th St., New York, NY