After a long morning of meetings my last visit asked me to go with him to the local Mexican restaurant around the corner called El Torito. At first sight it seemed like any other large chain, currently 69 locations in California, Oregon, Arizona and Japan, yes Japan..., and as we entered the typical decor and huge space confirmed it. We had obviously missed the lunch crowd which made the space seem even bigger and the last buffet buckets were cleaned out. Buffet stations are another sign to lower your expectations. In the back a table with people congregating, most likely the staff preparing for dinner service and a couple of servers still on shift.
We sat down at a 4 top and the waiter hurried over to take our order. The choice of drink was a Tropical Ice Tea, house recommendation and it was really good. The dried up slice of decorative orange only plumped up once dropped into the tall glass of ice and tea. As I always like to ask the waiters what their choice of preference is I proceeded to do the same here. After the standard questions; level of spice, meat preference, level of hunger he proceeded to recommend the Mexico City Tacos. 3 corn tortillas with chicken, beef and carnitas sprinkled with cabbage, queso fresco, tomatoes and salsa fresca. On the side a portion of rice, frijoles de olla (spicy beans) and some home made guacamole. These tacos were just excellent and at one point I thought to myself; did my lunch guest notice that I devoured these like they were little amuse bouches or was he also lost in his lunch??? I guess you can ask my wife why this thought may have crossed my mind because I hear it from her every time I eat. My excuse: ever since having children I have adapted my eating to world record speed and mouthfuls’ not from this earth and I guess I sometimes forget that I am not in the house.
Overall rating: 3
Food Rating: 4
Cost: $$
3360 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
http://www.eltorito.com/menumain.asp
No comments:
Post a Comment