OMG- Casa Bonita

I realize this blog focuses on my culinary adventures, however i'm about to make my very first exception for Casa Bonita.  According to an article from Westword, Casa Bonita is described as a "Mexican Disney World on crack", well what do you know, they were right.  Located in the corner of a strip mall and spoofed by South Park, this place is unique with an overload of sensory experiences the moment you step inside. We got in a line that snaked around a half dozen corners (like an amusement park ride), perused a paper menu, placed our order (I ordered the chicken taco salad), picked up a tray, picked up our order and were seated at a table near the fountain just in time for the cliff divers.  Simply put, this place is a well oiled machine catering to families, elderly couples, and groups who are out for a good time.   The mexican food is nothing worthing mentioning but i still ate it as we struggled to hear the different shows (think gun fights or terrorizing gorillas) through the obsolete sound system.  Something worth mentioning were the unlimited fresh sopapillas with cinnamon sugar and honey to end the meal.  Before we left, we explored the different crevices, gift shops, caves, and awkwardly encountered a former student working the prize station in the arcade.  I don't understand how this is one of the country's top 10 roadside destinations and as a result I will most likely not return, but like Justin Bieber says never say never.

Happy President's Day!

Food trucks

With food trucks popping up like fro-yo places in the last year, i attended my first food truck party which had an 80's theme.  The justice league of street food hosted their 3rd event of the season in an empty lot behind coors field.  In attendance were many food trucks including fat sully's, the little orange rocket (the people behind deluxe), pinche tacos, steamin demon (folks behind watercourse) and denver cupcake truck, denver biscuit bus, biker jims hot dog and the great divide brewery.  I went with my roommate and her friend around 7:30 last friday night.  Upon arrival the place was already pretty crowded as we immediately jumped into line for fat sullys pizza.  The lines were long and we quickly decided that the best way to get the most food in the shortest amount of time was to split up.  I waited in line for pinche tacos and was soon greeted with a thin slice of cheese pizza, crispy and hot from my roommate and her friend.  It was amazing! a great slice even if you are sober.  Pinche tacos were $3 each, i ordered the beef tongue which was triple cooked, served crispy, with avocado, onion, cilantro roasted tomatilla salsa and guajillo honey mayo, yummy! The creamy chipotle chicken taco however was easily forgettable.  


While my roommate waited in line for the little orange rocket, I waited in the steamin demon line which was considerably shorter.  Coincidentally my old roommate was standing right behind me double fisting two beers from the great divide.  I had a sip and it was pretty hoppy, not exactly my thing.  I was excited for the thai rice noodle dish but was disappointed when they were sold out.  I settled for the loko moko which was white rice, pinto bean cake, fried egg, avocado and some sort of gravy.  It was good and homestyle, not exactly what i was expecting but still good.  when we finally got up to the little orange rocket, my roommate order fried truffled mac and cheese balls and the lamb sandwich.  We were given one of those restaurant buzzers and were informed that the wait would be 25 minutes.  We quickly found  we parked ourselves at a nearby patio table as we people watched including some individuals with ridiculous 80s outfits.  When the buzzer went off, my roommate lept from her seat to retrieve her food.  I took a bite of those cheese balls and could definitely understand why people really enjoy them: FRIED, CHEESE and TRUFFLES a sure win!  My roommate complained that her lamb sandwich which was a ground patty had too much dill yogurt sauce on it.  I thought it was good and her friend devoured the naan bread it was served on. I was pretty full by this point as we sat right by the inventing room stall, Ian Kleinman's catering company who uses liquid nitrogen to make ice cream. We watched group after group order the ice cream sandwich which was two 4 inch espresso fudge cookies with strawberry ice cream and housemade marshmallow....maybe next time

Tamayo

I was disappointed by my meal at tamayo, perhaps my expectations were too high considering my strong liking of Zengo (a sister restaurant by chef richard sandoval). The highlight was the refreshing roasted yellow and red beet salad with goat cheese, candied walnuts, orange and watercress tossed in an ancho-pilonchillo glaze. I ordered the the beef tenderloin taco appetizer as my entree.....needless to say it was not very good, the meat was overcooked and flavorless and the panela cheese according to my roommate tasted like dried cottage cheese.... it desperately needed a sauce or a salsa of some sort to bring the flavors together. My roommate's lobster crepe was equally disappointing....not sure if i will make another trip.

Plate score: 5

El Tacos de Mexico

When my former roommate jess craved for some "sketchy" mexican, i suggested el tacos de mexico for our wednesday night meal. I had been reading up on this place and was quite excited despite the reviews about the "rude" ladies who work behind the counter. Located on sante fe drive between 7th and 8th, el tacos is housed in a bright yellow bungalow with plenty of outdoor seating perfect for a spring/summer night. The restaurant inside is simple with several booths and a long counter where patrons can oversee their food being made to order. Contrary to the reviews online, the ladies of el taco were very pleasant, working hard to churn out mexican specialties. Jess ordered a chile relleno burrito with rice and beans smothered with green chile. It was literally the size of my forearm. I decided on the taco plate with minced beef tongue sprinkled with chopped onions and housemade salsa with just the right amount of heat. I think my sister would enjoy the beef tongue. Along side the 3 corn tacos was a flavorful side of rice and beans. Overall we were both very happy with our selections and would recommend this place to the those who wish to taste some of the real stuff.

small tip: it's chilly in there so bring a jacket :)

Plate score: 9