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EatinAintCheatin wrote: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.

EAC - I do not pretend to be knowledgeable as to the complexities of Mexican vs Central & South American epicurean distinctions. Norma's offerings seemed authentic to my undereducated palate, and I'm glad you thought well enough of my prior opinions to venture all the way out to the hinterlands of Kenner.

We don't always agree, but I appreciate your insights, both here and on other local boards.

Oyster wrote: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 wrote: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!

No, I haven't sampled the Mex place in the old Visko's location.
Not that I haven't wanted to, but the vibe is just somehow offputting.
Being out of town has saved me the last couple of weeks.

I'm sorry to agree mostly with Ratcheese has to post.
I'll find a mom & pop Mexican place, like it enough & will run it into the ground until they do something really disgusting that makes me never want to go back. I know it won't be long.

I'm not going to mention names, but a few weeks ago went to one of my old haunts. I was sadly reminded of why I stopped going. Hygiene.
When the woman who took my order & delivered it (it was takeout - I needed to pack) & asked if everything was ok. I told her my order looked fine, but that I had to comment on the waitresses tossing their fingers around the bowls of lime to wedge in the Coronas just moments after handling gobs of money. She looked at me puzzled. I asked her if it occurred to her this was a health code violation. She blank stare should have told it all, but a few moments later she admitted she never ever gave it a thought altho she had seen them do this many times.

I finally talked Roberto into going to the place on Airline Hwy only to get 5 ft from the door to find one of their fine patrons tossing their cookies just outside the entrance. Roberto was really hungry, but quickly said, "Let's go." Needless to say, that really killed the appetite.

Right now, there's no Mexican place in NOLA that I really want to go to.
Please don't think I'm a snob, nah, I'll get takeout at Taqueria Sanchez's window in Gretna on a whim.... but it's been a very long time.

Ratcheese, if you find something good, please let us know & yes, Crrush, we'd be game for a group dinner.

Tho not Mexican, the Norma's rec has me thinking about going there over the weekend. Or tomorrow if they are open late enough!


Ratcheese, no Eric . . . it's Roberto. And if you are ever game to make your mama's tacos, I'd be happy to do the prep chef work.

Isabella, I think having get-togethers to cook our own foods may be the way to go.

I'm sorry for the crude manner in which I vented my frustrations in this original post, but I just blew my top after that adventure. I lost it.

My last 2 Mexican adventures have resulted in this:

1 small carne asada taco
1 beef enchilada
1 small serving of rice
chips and salsa at both
single bites of inedible dishes=4
multiple bites of a puzzling dish that was actually inedible=1
2 iced teas
add a few bites of beans

Grand total $31.00

Did you read Paz's post about Pizza Delicious?

If I had my youthful vigor or maybe even some restaurant experience, I'd give something like that a shot.

Props to those guys for attempting something like that. They must rent out a commercial kitchen. I don't know. But good idea.

What I am saying is this, I have learned from getting involved in this discussion, people have to experience the real thing in order to acquire a taste. You can't just write about a food and expect them to make the leap from unknowing to knowledgable. Food writing and food shows are fun but they cannot replace experience.

Maybe if some people got together and actually put some good food out there for them to enjoy, others in the restaurant business might be forced to clean up their acts.

ratcheese wrote:Isabella, I think having get-togethers to cook our own foods may be the way to go.

I'm sorry for the crude manner in which I vented my frustrations in this original post, but I just blew my top after that adventure. I lost it.

My last 2 Mexican adventures have resulted in this:

1 small carne asada taco
1 beef enchilada
1 small serving of rice
chips and salsa at both
single bites of inedible dishes=4
multiple bites of a puzzling dish that was actually inedible=1
2 iced teas
add a few bites of beans

Grand total $31.00

Did you read Paz's post about Pizza Delicious?

If I had my youthful vigor or maybe even some restaurant experience, I'd give something like that a shot.

Props to those guys for attempting something like that. They must rent out a commercial kitchen. I don't know. But good idea.

What I am saying is this, I have learned from getting involved in this discussion, people have to experience the real thing in order to acquire a taste. You can't just write about a food and expect them to make the leap from unknowing to knowledgable. Food writing and food shows are fun but they cannot replace experience.

Maybe if some people got together and actually put some good food out there for them to enjoy, others in the restaurant business might be forced to clean up their acts.

I agree with your last 2 paragraphs.....

and yes, PAZ put a post on that pizza just before I left town & it tortured me, TORTURED ME I tell you, as I attempted to eat what was on the cafeteria's menu on the retreat. It was all horrible except for this yellowish BBQ sauce they had for the bland pulled pork. That sauce was really great! I should have gotten the name of it. The homemade baked beans were decent as well.

My friend from Mexico City almost cried on Taco night. I've never seen her sad before that meal. Likely I'll see her again in a couple of years & asked her to bring me some good cooking magazines from Mexico next time we get together.

Pizza Delicious does rent out a commercial kitchen (I think PAZ said this) & I have to tell you I've entertained some thoughts about that as well. Vim & vigor plus my day & night job might interfere. Hmmm. If I had a couple of partners in crime, we'd probably be able to pull it off. I think I might check into their requirements, just to know.

I blame you not for blowing your top after your escapade that night.
I'm usually pretty laid back, but I've done the same on occasion.

BTW, I spotted Mariscos Acapulco last night on Daniels Rd & Terry Pkway.
It's where the Taqueria Jalisco was located in their first location. Has anyone been here? I've been meaning to go in & get a menu, but am always on a mission when I pass by. Perhaps I'll take one for the team, if I feel it even merits a chance.