With the Mexican chain "On The Border" about to open in Allentown's new Airport Square center, I thought it would be an ideal time to review existing options for Mexican food in the city. After all, chain restaurants are OK if you like consistency and predictability, but authentic restaurants are a bit more of an adventure.
La Mexicana Grille -- 7th and Gordon
Just stopped in this week for lunch. Plain but non-cliche decor. Food was outstanding. I had a torta, the traditional Mexican sandwich with lettuce, pico de gallo and avocado slices. One half faetured marinated sirlion steak (surprisingly tender) and on the other half, chorizo (just enough kick.) At $4.50, it's probably one of the best sandwich deals in town. My friend Rob had a chicken enchilada with mole. We're both big mole fans. (To you noobs, that's pronounced mole-ay and has nothing to do with birthmarks.) La Mexicana's mole was well balanced with a deep chocolate aroma that belied its suprising lightness. Dinners are equally impressive. Then again, their poblano sweet potatoes make anything beside it even better.
La Placita Mexico -- 12th and Turner
My favorite place for tacos. Choose from chicken, beef or chorizo. They'll heat it up on a griddle, sprinkle it with fresh cilantro and quesa fresca (and minced onions, I think?) and put it between a double layer of corn tortillas. They also have a selection of soups and other small plate items ideal for lunch or sharing. Our friend who grew up in Mexico for 18 years of his life says it's his favorite place in the Lehigh Valley. How can you go wrong with that recommendation?
Amigo Mia -- 545 Cleveland St (near Good Shepherd)
The original Mexican in the city -- and to many, still the reigning champ. It's open only Wednesday and Friday evenings, I believe. It's a small place -- a reconfigured row home. I've had exceptional bean burritos and some of the best refried beans anywhere. Fare is standard Mexican -- don't expect anything exotic or fusion. But if you're eating more authentic Mexican food, you're probably south of the Rio Grande. Note: they don't accept credit cards. And I think they have a small bar, so you can get your favorite Mexican beer or cocktail. (The two other locations above are BYOB.)
In the end, it depends on your risk-reward tolerance. Service in the smaller restaurants can be spotty. Menus have misspellings. The decor didn't start on the drawing board of an interior designer. Parking for all three is on-street. But for a real experience, they're tough to beat. For me, it's all part of the experience.
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14 comments:
There's a new Mexican at the mall in Whitehall with Ross, and CiCi's, called Cactus, I think, that is outstanding. I also enjoy the place in Emmaus on Chestnut, just west of the City. There is a fantastic place in Philly in the middle of the Italian Market, too, but that isn't Lehigh Valley. I feel qualified to comment, because I've been to Mexico, and my wife spent her early years there and taught me what Mexican should taste like. I was there for a week last year in Baja, and ate some tremendous food. I have even perfected a few recipes in our kitchen, here. The best food, though, is at my friend Peter's in N Whitehall, where he and his wife cook and bake regularly for 10 or so friends, all from scratch. Maybe some day they'll go public.
I've been to Cactus for dinner and found it better than most. I'd like to go back again before giving it a full review. On the contrary, I've been to Fiesta Ole in Emmaus and deemed it below par. Perhaps they've upgraded. I saw they're adding another Lehigh Valley location; I can't recall where.
I've been to El Cactus twice. The first time OK (OK enough to go again). The second time we were done in by overcooked chicken and what tasted like canned salsa. If you go, please let us know if things have improved.
Jay
I'm always shocked when people speak highly of Fiesta Ole (the place in Emmaus) because both times I have tried it the food was an atrocity - in fact, after the first time it took me over a year to even consider trying it again. But as a vegetarian, I know that my experience of the menu is limited, so who knows.
I find it difficult to go anywhere other than la mexicana, which offers so many unexpectedly delicious items (If you haven't before, try the avocado and red onion salad next time you go - I don't know what is in their lime dressing but it is delectable).
That said, one of the other "surprise" delicious mexican restaurants in the valley is Casa del Toro in Coopersburg. The place looks like it should be awful, with tacky mexican-themed sports grille decor and tucked away into the corner of a strip mall under the heading "mexican grill," but the food is outstanding. I usually pick up to take home because it is often VERY loud in the restaurant, but I think the food is good enough that its worth noting.
Maybe others have had better experiences at Fiesta Ole than either of us, Capri. I've been there three times and have not been even mildly impressed either time. I've tried Casa Toro; it's better than Fiesta Ole, but a little Americanized compared to the three places I mentioned in my post. Still, it's reliable and convenient if you're on 309.
The other Fiesta Ole location is coming here to Bethlehem in the old Fuddruckers (pretty soon I believe as the facade looks like Fiesta Ole). To add to the convo on Casa Toro, friends of mine go there on a near weekly basis for cheap happy hour. Speaking of alcoholic beverages when I was at Amigo Mio many moons ago they made an phenomenal cocktail - no mixes there!
On another note somewhat off-topic, I am very saddened to see the building on 3rd and New Streets go up in flames this past weekend which housed Greekers. It was a beautiful building which was originally a menswear store my grandfather frequented back in the day - nice woodwork. It will be missed.
I agree with Capri that Fiesta Ole is a poor choice for Mexican food. We've been there a few times with friends who eat there regularly & love it. Can't understand that because every time we gave it another chance the food was bland, luke warm & didn't seem fresh.
On the other hand La Mexicana is the real deal. The food is outstanding. We've been there with teenagers & they thought it was very cool. No problem parking. Its BYO & everyone in there was having a great time. Service was a little slow but we weren't in a hurry.
bravo a placita. yes, they do have incredible tacos.. but i'm always in awe of the pollo ranchero (sounds bland.. chicken, onion, poblano y queso, but the melding of flavors on the grill makes this dish absolutely gut busting). another terrific option is the tostada. i'm partial to the chorizo, but i think it's a delicious choice with whichever meat you choose. oh... and wash it all down with a refreshing horchata.
Fiesta Ole is terrible, shame they are opening any more locations.I think of all the "americanized" Mexican places, that Cactus Blue is the best of the bunch. Thanks for writing about La Placita, I am partial to their "spicy pork" taco they are hands down the best authentic Mexican you can get in the Valley.
I'm so glad Fiesta Ole is coming closer to us.. I just love it.. Driving 30 min.. every time.. found was worth it.. Now they will be.. next to my home.. and Nestor is moving too.. my favorite at fiesta ole Emmaus.. GREEEEAT...
Just read Dick Nepon's comment and I need to clarify that he is no expert on Mexican food. If the only qualifications were to take a trip to Baja and listen to your senior citizen aged wife tell you what SHE thinks is legit, based on her limited early childhood experiences, then we could all be experts. I happen to know that Mrs. Nepon knows next to diddly about authentic Mexican cusine, although she would probably argue the case. Most people have forgotten more than Mr. & Mrs. Nepon ever knew about authentic Mexican cooking.
Easy, Real McCoy. Everyone's entitled to an opinion of what they like and don't like regardless of their expertise -- or your view of their expertise.
Authenticity and one's personal taste buds based on perceived notions of (very, very limited) experience are not the same as legitimate expertise.
Hey, dude's not saying he's an expert, just "qualified to comment." Honestly, if you're looking for "experts," you're in the wrong place. You're welcome to leave your own comments about restaurants here, but please refrain from denigrating others. Thank you.
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