My Mexican Ping [2016 recs roundup]

Trying to hone down my choices for a meal for four that I am paying for. This means that if the the flavor is not there for the price, I'm gonna get sour. Quick. I'm right at home in the diviest of dives, but the ladies are gonna want to be fancy / sceney / cocktaily. Frontera is probably along the line of what I'm looking for. I actually really like Frontera, but I don't want the Friday night version of Frontera which is when the meal will be. Another constraint is that one of the ladies has her heart set on Rick Bayless Mexican. To me, that means Mexican, not too fusion-y, (Mexique / Vermillion -to the back of the line in this case.) Before I give them options to choose, just runnin it by the crowd to see what I'm missing:

Mixteco - byob always earns cool points with me. I'll grab a VERY nice btl of tequila for Margs.

Sol De Mexico - Tasting menu intrigues me. This is the vibe I would go for. Upscale-y Mexican food without a two hour wait on a Friday.

Frontera - is still an option, I just don't wanna be treated like cattle for the $.

Salpicon need not apply. Everyone has their opinion, this is mine. I know plenty folks love it, I'm just not one of them. I do wish them continued success.

Closer to home, but I think the ladies wanna do the city thing:
Axcan - which I think would be the perfect blend of better than "standard" Mexican, plus really decent margarita options.

Wildcard - That Mariscos Veneno place (never been.) We're definitely gonna get our drink on and be a little loud. We are ok with eating with our hands. Might be a fun option, imo.

I just feel like I'm missing two or three spots that do Bayless - style fantastic Mexican food some serious justice. I can research if you just throw me the name of a place. I just feel like I'm overlooking a joint or three.

Masa Azul and Dos Urban Cantina are two that come to mind--DUC has a bunch of current posts (as in today) with mixed results. I haven't been. Haven't been to Masa Azul since Jon Zaragoza left but others say its still good. Not sure how busy they are.

I will say that my last weekend meal at Venenos de Mariscos or whatever they're calling themselves these days was VERY disappointing. Not too fresh and overcooked seafood, sauces lacking the flavor I'm used to, service issues. Pretty sure my other visits were on weeknights so not necessarily ready to say downhill alert but I won't be heading back on a weekend any time soon.

And don't forget, Bayless himself has opened a new spot--Lena Brava (http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/lena-brava/. I'm sure it's a zoo on the weekends but they do take reservations if you can snag one and it will most certainly be hopping . And, of course, nothing is more Bayless than Bayless

If you're out in the burbs, I'd recommend Mesa Urbana at the southwest tip of Northbrook (Milwaukee ave north of Lake). Creative, good cocktail menu, very tasty.

I've never been but Dos Urban Cantina seems to be buzzing now. Looking forward to trying it out. Mixteco Grill has been my go-to, consistently putting out great tasting food at a high value in my book. Their moles are as good as anywhere in the city.

I'm a fan of Mixteco Grill and Sol de Mexico. The latter would have a good energy on a Friday night. There's a little chatter about Ixcateco Grill on the board. There's Bayless lineage there. I've not been.

Whoaaaa. Ixcateco Grill? Never even heard of it. Looks like a player. Menu looks sparse, but I'm guessing they have a decent list of specials. Tks.

Masa Azul - good call as well. (their website ticks me off unless I'm just not looking in the right place to find entrees besides tacos..grrrr)

When I first read this subject line, I thought it was a Seinfeld reference about your Mexican food delivery guy.

But based on your criteria above, I've really enjoyed visits to Dos Urban Cantina and Lena Brava (which seemed far less intense/rushed than my experiences at Frontera Grill) in the last 10 days and would highly recommend both. For more details on my experiences, see my recent posts on each restaurant in their respective threads here on the board.

While you're likely to actually SEE Rick Bayless (and quite likely his wife and daughter, who manages the place) at Lena Brava, given the current difficulty in scoring a reservation, I'd recommend Dos Urban Cantina. You definitely get more (at least in terms of quantity) for your money at DUC, as well. Brian Enyart, chef at DUC, was Rick Bayless's right hand man at Frontera/Topolobampo for 10-15 years (including when Topolo won the James Beard award for best restaurant), so the Bayless pedigree is in full force. There is less stringent adherence to "authenticity" with some fusion-y items on the menu, but it's definitely Mexican. I'd describe the vibe as a neighborhood version of Frontera Grill -- buzzing with life, but with an extremely friendly and down-to-earth feel.

Another option I haven't tried (but seems a fit here) is Cantina 1910 in Andersonville.

Hope you have a great night, regardless!

I'm really trying not to be prejudiced against DUC, but the conflicting reports have me wondering. I'm absolutely positive it would work for the folks that want to be fancy, but I just don't play nice when it comes to price points that don't match flavor. I'm not saying that DUC would not come through, and I'm not saying it's not a great place. I've never been. Basically, the issue is this - my wife doesn't want to hear me complaining if DUC doesn't "bring it."

Sigh. I'll offer it as an option.

I can second Ixcateco--just went a couple weeks ago and the food was great, although they were out of a few of the dishes (including the cochinita, which I was planning on getting). But regardless, I got the asada, the wife got the mole, and both were really good.

Love,
John

I will add my name to the Mixteco fans. That was the first name that came to mind. I would also second the suggestion of Ixcateco Grill. Also excellent food and BYOB as well.

Hey - I can call and check with the restaurant, but can anyone confirm my suspicion that Ixcateco's online menu is only a part of what they would be offering for dinner? The online dinner menu is pretty small. I'm guessing there are plenty of specials?

If not, Sol De Mexico (tasting menu) and Mixteco (an option of grilled squid almost automatically makes it #1 in my book!) are looking like the front runners. I have to call Masa Azul as well to see what dinner entrees besides tacos they have on offer. Their site doesn't list any.

When we ate at Ixcateco, they had at least two or three different specials in addition to the listed menu. I believe that the waiter told me they keep the steak and chicken on the menu all the time, and rotate other items. I know that they had a wood-grilled fish and also shrimp dish while we were there (probably about 2 months ago).

Ok, the last q before I make reservations, and post about the meal:
Out of Mixteco and Ixcateco, which is "cozier" to chill/chat with the booze flowing while eating? I'm basically leaning towards the tasting menu from Sol De M, but the menus at these two joints on Montrose are very appealing, plus BYOB could save us a few bucks and add to my perception of "cool factor." I've just never been to either of the places on Montrose. I also tend to overthink things, but when it comes to dinner plans, when I do the research, everyone I'm with winds up happy.

My go to place in my 'hood for slightly upscale Mexican is "5 Rabanitos" that has been open for a little bit.

When I first stopped by, they had really nothing Vegetarian. So the Chef made me something vegetarian. He said, "No problem, I will make you some nice Torta.", and proceeded to make me what is basically the best Torta I have ever had.

When I went back with a meetup group; he had a nice Vegetarian Menu add-on. I really appreciate this. Looks like the Chef realized that this neighborhood is trending young demographically and a lot of people like Vegetarian options.

I also recall reading that he worked for many Bayless restaurants. So the food is really good; much better than the regular Taqueria fare. This place combined with Diez e Ocho at the corner of 18th and Damen are wonderful new additions to my neighborhood. If this is what it means to gentrify; bring it on !!

Indianbadger wrote:My go to place in my 'hood for slightly upscale Mexican is "5 Rabanitos" that has been open for a little bit.

The menu looks good. They're right down the street from my favorite Pilsen place, Canton Regio.

Is "5 Rabanitos" BYOB? It seems that they might be based on the menu.

When we were last at Mixteco we were part of a large party, and we were squashed together. We waited a long time to be seated despite a reservation. It was a Saturday night, and the place was mobbed. I'm sorry to say they didn't do a great job with the crowds. I wasn't blown away by the food. FWIW, and it's been quite a while since I went to Sol de Mexico, but that would be my pick over Mixteco.

5 Rabs has been on my radar for a while now. For some reason, I thought the menu was much smaller, maybe the website was recently updated. I definitely read through that thread when it was created.

Canton Regio though...That looks right up my alley for a cool family style party on a table!

I think I'm gonna do the Sol D M thing, and push for errbody to get the tasting menu. Seems like a good blend of schnazzy food, not too crazy of a scene, but enough fanciness for the ladies to be sated. I've loved some of the food I've had there in the past, but it's been a while. Hopefully they do us right.

John Danza wrote:The menu looks good. They're right down the street from my favorite Pilsen place, Canton Regio.

Is "5 Rabanitos" BYOB? It seems that they might be based on the menu.

I think so. When I went there with my meetup group a month ago it was BYOB.

seebee wrote:5Canton Regio though...That looks right up my alley for a cool family style party on a table!

I like Canton Regio a lot. They don't have wine glasses, so it's BYOG too. Great food and really great service.

seebee wrote:Ok, the last q before I make reservations, and post about the meal:
Out of Mixteco and Ixcateco, which is "cozier" to chill/chat with the booze flowing while eating? I'm basically leaning towards the tasting menu from Sol De M, but the menus at these two joints on Montrose are very appealing, plus BYOB could save us a few bucks and add to my perception of "cool factor." I've just never been to either of the places on Montrose. I also tend to overthink things, but when it comes to dinner plans, when I do the research, everyone I'm with winds up happy.

I have not been to Ixcateco, but I can say that Mixteco is pretty much the opposite of cozy and chill. Although the food is great, the space itself has lots of hard surfaces and the sound level can be a little on the noisy side, especially for older folks. Conversation is tough. Add to that the fact that the tables are packed in as tight as possible, and cozy is probably the last word I would use to describe the atmosphere. Again, the food is great, so if that's your main criteria, then go for it.

stevez wrote:

seebee wrote:Ok, the last q before I make reservations, and post about the meal:
Out of Mixteco and Ixcateco, which is "cozier" to chill/chat with the booze flowing while eating? I'm basically leaning towards the tasting menu from Sol De M, but the menus at these two joints on Montrose are very appealing, plus BYOB could save us a few bucks and add to my perception of "cool factor." I've just never been to either of the places on Montrose. I also tend to overthink things, but when it comes to dinner plans, when I do the research, everyone I'm with winds up happy.

I have not been to Ixcateco, but I can say that Mixteco is pretty much the opposite of cozy and chill. Although the food is great, the space itself has lots of hard surfaces and the sound level can be a little on the noisy side, especially for older folks. Conversation is tough. Add to that the fact that the tables are packed in as tight as possible, and cozy is probably the last word I would use to describe the atmosphere. Again, the food is great, so if that's your main criteria, then go for it.

I couldn't agree more about Mixteco. Excellent food but it's the anti-chill on a number of levels. If you want 'chill' and you're not a byo determinist, SdM is a great call.

=R=

If you want "cozy" how about Chilam Balam? BYOB, and they take reservations now, too.

All -

Thanks for the input/direction.
Sol De Mexico CRUSHED it! Absolutely "chill" meal with fantastic drinks and the food was crazy good from start to finish. The pacing was perfect - It was 2.5 hours, a quibble was that the server missed out on a chance to pad the bill with drink orders between courses. The place wasn't hopping, or anything - maybe due the the heavy rain. They had two bigger tables show up, I "get" that they needed to focus on the bigger money. Small quibble, still all good, it would have probably netted them an extra 15 dollars in standard 20% tip money from the bill for about 120 seconds of work, but, who am I add logic to an equation?

The 45 dollar tasting menu might be one of the best bargains in town. The wife and I agreed (WHAT???) that it was an absolute bargain, and we're both cheap...er..."frugal." Yeah, I meant frugal. We all did the tasting menu, and we all had different presentations for each course. Didn't do a great job at catching everything with the cam, but I'll try to post what I did in the SDM thread.

Late to the party (the story of my life?). Had I been here earlier I would have strongly urged you to give El Maya a try. Its kitty-corner from Mixteco, we ended up at El Maya after eating at Mixteco a couple of times in a row and were looking for a change up.

The Piramide is a layered chicken tortilla dish which is a go-to. I've a had a great trout there. They have a "show-stopper" dish, the Cochinita Pibil I think, which is served in huge bowl and seems to be in the fajita family. I have never tried it but seems pretty popular. The service is usually very good although they can seem a little overwhelmed as the night goes on and it gets crowded. Also, the noise level can be excessive if there are several big crowds. Their chips are great.

Oh yeah, good to know - it's byob with a decent liquor store on the same block.

El Maya
1522 W. Montrose
773.878.1882