New Orleans Leads the Nation in Roofers turned Restauranteurs

[crrush]

ratcheese, thanks for the lengthy and well-written rebuttal/clarification. And please, don't feel the need to use a to convey sarcasm -- I'll get better at reading between the lines as I get to know ya'll more.

I completely agree that the best Mexican food probably is found in homes, just like all but the most complex and technical of cuisines.

I think the solution, then, is not to bemoan the lack of good Mexican restaurants in New Orleans or conduct a fruitless search for a standard that may never exist here. Rather, you need to get friendly with the families running those restaurants, find out who the best cooks in their neighborhoods are, and eventually invite yourself into their homes. Simple as that.

But you've thrown down a challenge that any red-blooded food freak around here should enjoy -- either to disprove your theory by finding that gold standard Mexican restaurant, or to have fun trying.

In order to take on this challenge, I need to know more about what you're looking for. Is it the perfect carne asada taco? Is it the elusive birria tatemada? That barbacoa taco from the dive restaurant only open on Saturdays? I know fresh ingredients are important, but tell me the dishes you seek.

I'll post about any good finds, or better yet, if this isn't too forward, arrange a group lunch to try a place out.

[ratcheese]

crrush, glad you're getting the hang of it. Most of us on this site either rave or bitch. There isn't a lot of in-between probably because we are not professional food critics. Stick around though, and I think you'll find a lot more raving and good hearted banter than bitching. And, you are already raising the level of conversation here, which I'm not sure I"ll be able to keep up with, but...

Notice the respones to my call for recommendations on this thread--tacos, tacos, burritos...

If I want tacos I usually make them myself. I had a recipe posted on here somewhere, for my mother's tacos. Old Tex-Mex, Matamoras Style tacos like I grew up on. If you can find the recipe, give them a shot, Fun, easy, and unbeatable. No need to eat tacos in a restaurant here in New Orleans. I will order tacos in a restaurant occasionally, but that is due to lack of options and I almost always regret it.

One reason for that is the lack of a commercial tortilla factory, These guys around here are using packaged tortillas off the store shelf.

See steino on this thread? He runs the best sandwich shop in town, He owns Stein's Deli over on Magazine St. He puts out the only New York Style Deli fare I know of in this area and he does a great job,

Imagine walking into Stein's Deli one day, all fired up about a Pastrami on Rye, but upon ordering, he tells you, "All those different breads are a PITA, I'm using straight Bunny Bread now, but don't worry, its still the real deal."

So,we're in trouble here before we even start. As far as I know.

I found a nice website of a little place I used to like in San Antonio. I am posting the link primarily for the pictures. Notice the fresh tortillas, both corn and flour. They are the basic building blocks for good food. (Better quality Mexican cuisine is accompanied not by tortillas, but by very nice breads of some sort. But this is common, everyday food.)

Also, notice they now have many locations...oh, well...truth be known, small chains like that are probably the best way to get something edible into this area to begin with. As much as I hate to say it. I just don't see it happening elsewhere.

http://mylaspalapas.com/

I can get a local contengent of Texas transplant together if you want to go on a Mexican crawl, but I have to warn you, there will be more beer and margaritas involved than food. (Edited to include the probability of a lot of bitching and moaning and spitting-out of food.)

Unless we can find something worth eating.

Here's another place I have always liked. Browse the menu for some insight into what I'm talking about.

http://www.lafogata.com/main/menu.php

[crrush]

Ahhh, San Antonio. Love that city. I've spent several weeks there just this year.

I'll try not to pass judgment on the places you mentioned b/c I haven't tried them myself, but I have a general philosophy about "food of the people" being served in restaurants that have a) fancy web sites and b) multiple locations. I'm not saying I like eating in dirty, dive places -- far from it -- but when it comes to simple food, the more simple and "home-like" the establishment, the better. They seem to spend their time and efforts on ingredients, not web sites or faux-thentic ambiance.

My best example from S.A. is the Thrif-T-Mart on S. Zarzamora. I found the place by asking a guy at a restaurant supply store about where to find good barbacoa. He rattled off a few places in the King William neighborhood, but when I pushed for more local/mom & pop/not-so-whitey, he coughed up the real goods. Thrif-T is a small grocery/deli, and the deli caters mainly to blue collar workers and the surrounding neighborhood. Thrif-T serves up some seriously tasty barbacoa and other regional specialties, and of course homemade tortillas.

Thrif-T-Mart
6703 South Zarzamora
(210) 922-3351

That said, I (like you) have found nothing as noteworthy in N.O., but I haven't really devoted my days to it. Yet. I've tried Taqueria Sanchez off Clearview -- passable taco. Guerrero in Mid-City -- really good menudo, but everything else is just average.

So, I get that you're looking for fresh tortillas. But if you're not down with eating tacos at a restaurant, what do you want with these tortillas? Seriously. Name the favorite Mexican dish you're after. I love a challenge, but of course the pursuit is the best part.

[ratcheese]

Ah, I eat tacos out all the time when good ones are available. That was my point. If they're not good, make your own.

Zarzamora is a great area for real food, as is a lot of SA. Karem's operated down there for ages. They were incredible. Totally agree with you on small, family run operations, WHEN you want everyday fare; its just hard to post illustrations of those little joints, Like you say.they don't have websites. But again, you are talking street food.

Particular dishes I am now craving?

I'm going to go with something more refined. See the menu I posted for La Fogota.
Lot of good stuff on there. That place has done a great job of holding its quality over the years. It had probably four or five little tables when I started eating there way back when. I think that menu is fairly representative of a well-rounded Mexican Restaurant.

What would I order if we were actually there? Don't know, it all sounds good right now.

[Oyster]

I have heard many good reviews of this new Mexican Restaurant in the old Visko's location, however, have not tried yet. May give it a shot this week.
Link:
http://elmesquitegrill.com/index2.htm

I wonder if Isabella has sampled yet? Anyone else?

[ratcheese]

I have heard many good reviews of this new Mexican Restaurant in the old Visko's location, however, have not tried yet. May give it a shot this week.
Link:
http://elmesquitegrill.com/index2.htm

I wonder if Isabella has sampled yet? Anyone else?

OK, I'll move that place up to my first venture out. The menu is interesting enough to give it a shot. First impression of the menu is that the Americanization may be over done, pics of the smoke rising from the dishes is a bit chain-ish, but they do have some variety. So, lets see how they execute.

I'll try to get over there by Sunday.

Oyster, your post has me wondering if Isabella may have a husband named Eric? Ha, that would be funny. If she does, maybe she would PM me!

[paz5559]

Norma's Sweet Shop

http://blog.nola.com/brettanderson/2009/02/norma.html

[EatinAintCheatin]

Norma's Sweet Shop

http://blog.nola.com/brettanderson/2009/02/norma.html

Paz, based on your rec I had Norma's Cuban sandwich. It's excellent. In fact I've had it 4 more times over the last month. But this place is not Mexican. The owners and workers are mostly Honduran. This was told to me by Norma's son. They have a very limited selection of hot items other than their baked desserts (which are also excellent).

South American tamals, and some meat (pork and pollo) filled pastries.

The Cuban sandwich is by far their best hot item.

[crrush]

Norma's Cuban is a stunner. I love Parkway's Wednesday Cuban, too. And, I just read about the great Cuban at Churro's Cafe in Metairie on Blackened Out.

Churro's Cafe
3100 Kingman Street
Metairie, LA 70006-5419
(504) 885-6516

[ratcheese]

I want to get out to Norma's sometime. I am a big fan of Mexican/Latin American pastries because they are not overly sweet. Sorry they're so far out, or maybe I should be glad.

I went home to Texas for a visit a few weeks ago, and I brought back a load of tamales from my favorit spot in San Antonio. I'd like to get some from Norma's and take some pics of the two different styles together to illustrate the different approach to tamales or tamal.