Mexican food in the nation's capital sucks. Not to the same degree that Mexican food in Europe sucks, but it's pretty lackluster stuff. My tamales last night were bland, and the salsa that accompanied our chips didn't have nearly enough cilantro in it—but
have black pepper, of all things.
And the margaritas were terrible. I mean, they used good booze, but they make them too sweet. Even ordering a Cadillac-style margarita didn't get them to dial down on the sugar. It almost tasted like they were using some kind of a goddamned mix, though that's such an outrageous thought that it could simply be that they're using a sucky recipe.
Once I realized my partners in crime were sold on the oversweet Margies, I powered a few of them down very quickly, figuring I'd need a bit of a buzz to survive the next few.
And I woke up feeling fine. Once more. What does a girl need to do to acquire a hangover in this town?
1
LMA:
Stick to the basics... gin and tonnix, scotch & eh water and the like.
Ya can't get decent Maggies outside of the Southwest.
Posted by: lelu at February 12, 2006 08:26 PM (wE6A2)
2
Black pepper in salsa....
black pepper???
Phillistines.
Posted by: Darleen at February 12, 2006 08:49 PM (FgfaV)
3
Try Mixtec(Adams Morgan, Columbia Rd NW) or Alero(on Connecticut Ave.) If you want to travel to Alexandria there are a couple of places-- Taqueria Poblano being one. For your corrupted taste, you'll have to embellish with the pepper sauces.
Posted by: Darrell at February 12, 2006 08:50 PM (jM8RY)
4
We were at Alero. The people were very nice, but it was a pale culinary echo of what I can get at home. Even the pricier places back home that focus on drinks and let the food slip a bit do better than this.
Posted by: Attila Girl at February 12, 2006 10:26 PM (F7zrJ)
5
What does a girl need to do to acquire a hangover in this town?
Drink bottom-of-the-barrel rot-gut. Anything at $5/gallon. PBR in mass quantity.
Oh, yeah, it's DC. They probably don't have anything for less than $15/gallon...
(as a side point, I can make a vicious margarita)
Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie at February 13, 2006 05:29 AM (1hM1d)
Posted by: Attila Girl at February 13, 2006 05:45 AM (F7zrJ)
7
AG
When you come home I should take you to
El Cholo's in La Habra.
Absolutely the best, authentic Mexican food to be had in So. Cal plus margaritas by the pitcher.
MMMMmmmmm!
Posted by: Darleen at February 13, 2006 08:10 AM (FgfaV)
8
Them's fighting words; you're on!
Posted by: Attila Girl at February 13, 2006 08:25 AM (F7zrJ)
9
Funny, I thought they were a bit sweet too. And I knew it was the sugar that caused my hangover the next day. I wasn't sick... I was just "fragile". Had a blast - thanks again.
RG
Posted by: RightGirl at February 13, 2006 09:16 AM (AyL3W)
10
You're right, there is very little good Mexican food here, but there IS excellent Salvadorean throughout Northern Virginia, and a few places in DC that make passable tamales (there's one on D St. downtown whose name is currently escaping me) and actually decent margaritas.
Posted by: Tom Bridge at February 13, 2006 09:18 AM (U75YS)
11
I'll take Alero off my list. The place always had a problem with it being a crap shoot depending on who was working the kitchen. They never seemed to be able to standardize the recipes as much as other restaurants. Regulars sometimes didn't recognize the food when another chef came in.
Bartenders can accomodate requests, by the way...And follow your directions. Be nice and watch them, though. You don't want any "surprises"...Hands and glassses must be visible at all times.
Posted by: Darrell at February 13, 2006 12:12 PM (cMW6Q)
12
There would have been a lot of us to take advantage of, all at once--a mini-GOP army.
Posted by: Attila Girl at February 13, 2006 08:15 PM (Is4ds)
13
If you want good Mexican food go to New Mexico. The absolute best. And Margaritas are sooo California. Have a Dos XX or Corona.
Posted by: Gene at February 14, 2006 04:02 PM (aklAt)
14
New Mexico is a completely different style, though also good. Chipotle is the best.
Posted by: Attila Girl at February 14, 2006 04:08 PM (Is4ds)
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