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| A Tale of Two "Els"... In a rare comparison of Mexican fare, I find myself wondering why more often than not... it is so difficult to find that rare instance of really good Mexican food. Lord knows that there are plenty of these restaurants around -- I can name at least four without even thinking about it. And I'm not sure of the reason, but Mexican is one of my favorite "go-to" places when I don't feel like preparing a meal in my own kitchen. Problem is, finding a really good venue is getting increasingly more difficult. And in these difficult times when gasoline prices are skyrocketing and food prices are getting more expensive by the hour, one would think that restaurants would make every effort to ensure that food and service are as close to impeccable as is possible, thus keeping diners coming back. In recent forays to two establishments specializing in Mexican fare -- El Zarape in Wheaton and El Taco Grande on the west side of Batavia -- I discovered that the attitude at both seems to be "mediocre will work just fine, thank you."
A friend and his wife had wanted to take Lauren and me to dinner, and I had suggested a train ride and Mexican dinner. El Zarape is a smallish venue that is just across the street from the Metra station in Wheaton, making for very easy access -- which is one of the reasons why we wanted to try it -- and allowing for someone else to do the driving... We arrived at about quarter past six, and although the place was not very busy at the time, we were escorted to a table in a corner against the far back wall. Lively conversation occupied the majority of the evening, and my friends seemed not to mind the cramped quarters. I will say that the service was very good; our waitress was all smiles and checked back regularly; our dinners were brought to the table hot. However, the food was just OK. I ordered the Chilaquiles with steak; the meat was as tough as shoe leather. Lauren selected a combination of an Enchilada with chicken and a Tamale with shredded pork; she reported both to be blah. Our friends said that everything was "very good", but I know that could not have been the case. Because of the occasion, I said nothing to the waitress or the management -- and that is truly my faux pas. The food was not only not memorable but easily forgettable. However, long story short... I will not return. It is a really nice little place with SO much potential. But that is all -- just potential -- and Three Zins is the best it can receive from me..
Not more than a week later, I had still not sated my desire for some good Mexican food, so Lauren and I headed to the other El: El Taco Grande on the west side of Batavia (just a block east of Randall Road). My first meal several years ago at the downtown location was outstanding and the prices were right. I have not a clue as to what has taken place at the location that was originally Don Manuel. Our meals could have been better made by a high school home economics class. The beans were badly burned -- how that can happen is beyond me -- and the burnt flavor inundated the entire portion. The dinners were void of any real flavor -- let alone Mexican spices -- and almost cold; Lauren's margarita was just plain awful (it was $8.95; a pitcher of them was tagged at a very hefty $26.95). What Mexican restaurant worth its salt is unable to make a decent maggie? The salsa was an exercise in extreme spice and the chips were a case study in oil.
It was understandable why the parking lot was empty when we arrived and in the same sad state of affairs when we left. I said nothing to the management that night either -- shame on me? -- but I will not return for another drubbing until I get rave reviews from at least a dozen diners who tell me that I am way off the mark on this one, and that El Taco Grande is a wonderful place to go. By the way, the prices are in the same ball park as premium grade gasoline... but this El's engine is only hitting on five of the necessary eight cylinders. So there you have it... I guess that you can say that recently Lauren and I have gone straight to El -- twice -- and didn't enjoy either trip. The Els were a double-disappointment and it makes me wonder where the real Mexican fare can be found around here. I give EL Taco a sad Two-and-a-Half Zins for their disappointing food, service, margaritas and prices.
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