Not sure NL deserves the comments they are getting on EB?

http://chicago.everyblock.com/food-insp ... n-6293363/

I walked past last Friday and saw it was closed. I believe the hand-written sign out front said they were closed due to a plumbing accident, which appears to not be true if that Everyblock link is accurate.

Well it looks like NL does deserve the EB comments. DNAinfo.com just published what happened and why. Interesting comments at the end of the article too.

http://dnainfo.com/chicago/20140805/pil ... violations

LOL @ "Closed due to plumbing accident" sign. Lying liars.

I tend not to take the occasional food safety violation too serious but at a certain point these repeat serious offenders cross a line and I'm just done.

AlekH wrote:I tend not to take the occasional food safety violation too serious but at a certain point these repeat serious offenders cross a line and I'm just done.

I'm in the exact same camp. I'll overlook the occasional violation. I may even overlook a restaurant being shut down once . . . but once a restaurant gives me a reason to not trust them, the relationship is over. Unfortunately, this has resulted in me abandoning a few restaurants I used to frequently visit. But fortunately, there are so many great restaurants in this city and I will not compromise my health. I take food safety very seriously when I'm cooking for other people, and I expect the same in return.

I have to admit that I'd forgotten about the year-ago closure incident when we had dinner here last week before a show at Thalia Hall. Had I remembered, I might have lobbied for eating someplace else. That said, the closure seems to have been a one-off thing and the reports that I've read indicate that the owners were extraordinarily cooperative with inspectors.

In any case, I'm glad we ended up there because I really enjoyed our dinner. Appetizers of Queso Panela and Frijoles Con Chorizo, and the trio of salsas on the table -- constantly refilled -- were as great as ever. And those house-made flour tortillas were nothing short of spectacular. One can almost never say that about flour tortillas. In the main course category, the Carne Asada Tampiquena wasn't quite as wonderful as what I remembered but the Tacos de Sabinas and Guisado de Puerco were both excellent. I'd say that from a food perspective, Nuevo Leon is rolling along just as it always has.

=R=

Here's a question–

Has anyone ever bought NL flour tortillas by the dozen to go?

I'm wondering if they reheat well. I'm worried that if they are served as they would be at the restaurant (properly) griddled up, then they wouldn't reheat well. Commercially made flour torts can get leathery when reheated. Maybe the lard in the mix would prevent that.

Asking for a friend

Jefe wrote:Here's a question–

Has anyone ever bought NL flour tortillas by the dozen to go?

I'm wondering if they reheat well. I'm worried that if they are served as they would be at the restaurant (properly) griddled up, then they wouldn't reheat well. Commercially made flour torts can get leathery when reheated. Maybe the lard in the mix would prevent that.

Asking for a friend

It was several years ago, but I remember buying a package of Nuevo Leon flour tortillas to go. As I recall, they reheat quite well, but have a very short shelf life. I think if you can grab them Sunday morning, you'll be pleased.
--Rich

On the tortillas - they always reheat well when I bring them home with leftovers. I do it in my cast iron.

Just a brief data point in case anyone is wondering about Nuevo keeping up appearances: lunch today was on point and the place was humming. Had some classics at our table including my asado de Puerco, which was at its red oily best. My friends had chicken enchiladas (mole), barbacoa, bistec a la Mexicana, and tacos de carne asada - I had a bite of everything except the barbacoa and each was at its Nuevo ideal. And quesadillas raul and about 5 baskets of chips. I love this place and have been coming for over 35 years and it's still terrific, perhaps better, than my albeit constantly refreshed memories. I will note that Carne a la tempequenia is now $20, which is a little jarring to see on the menu. And a little silly given you can get an order of steak tacos and a full order of enchiladas for $10.

RAB wrote:

Jefe wrote:Here's a question–

Has anyone ever bought NL flour tortillas by the dozen to go?

I'm wondering if they reheat well. I'm worried that if they are served as they would be at the restaurant (properly) griddled up, then they wouldn't reheat well. Commercially made flour torts can get leathery when reheated. Maybe the lard in the mix would prevent that.

Asking for a friend

It was several years ago, but I remember buying a package of Nuevo Leon flour tortillas to go. As I recall, they reheat quite well, but have a very short shelf life. I think if you can grab them Sunday morning, you'll be pleased.
--Rich

Yup, they sell em packaged up by the doz. ready to go, unheated. Kinda pricey at $2.50/doz., but probably worth it. My original question feels a bit silly now that I know how easy it was. Makes sense that there's a demand for the product.

I am in the same boat as Ronnie. We moved back to South Loop and decided to hit up an old favorite and forgot about the recent health violations. It turned out well, but I guess you are always just rolling the dice with these things.

That said, the price to (volume * quality) ratio here is unparalleled. We got the mole enchiladas with chicken as they were out of their lengua ala mexicana. Just a really good spice (not spicy)forward mole, though the chicken breast leaves something to be desired. However, the stand out was the eggs two ways. These chilaquiles are amazing, completely destroying, for instance, the lame overpriced version at Xoco. The chips retain just the right amount of texture and the sauces are excellent too.

Really hits that "hot-plate" Mexican itch for me.

Nuevo León was destroyed in a fire early this morning. No one was injured. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... story.html

Liked this place fine and was always happy to recommend it to others, but most of all love driving past its colorful facade. So sad. I imagine they will rebuild. I hope they do.

Vitesse98 wrote:Liked this place fine and was always happy to recommend it to others, but most of all love driving past its colorful facade. So sad. I imagine they will rebuild. I hope they do.

The story I saw (Chicagoist), says that they were insured and plan on rebuilding.

The owner was in the process of opening a restaurant/bar across the street-Ald. Solis told the media he wanted to help get the place opened before Christmas. We just ate there two weeks ago and practically licked our plates clean. Our family has breakfast there every New Years Day.

ziggy wrote:

Vitesse98 wrote:Liked this place fine and was always happy to recommend it to others, but most of all love driving past its colorful facade. So sad. I imagine they will rebuild. I hope they do.

The story I saw (Chicagoist), says that they were insured and plan on rebuilding.

and i heard on WBEZ that the colorful mural out front wasnt damaged....

So we are devastated by the fire - love the discussion about maybe doing a pop up Nuevo in the old Playa Azul space across the street and ultimate rebuild, but in the interim what say the board about the most Nuevo proximate family style Mexican restaurant in the city? Anyone been to Sabina's recently, or the place just across (SE CORNER) Cermak on Ashland?