Here it is, my first food blog. I am following in the footsteps of my favorite eating buddy, Tony.My family and I decided to try a new restaurant last week. A new Mexican place opened near the Bella Terra Mall on Edinger called La Choza. They advertise, “Traditional Mexican Food Since 1976″ and boast of a successful restaurant in downtown LA. Upon first walking into the restaurant, the decor is distinctly traditional Mexican with brightly painted walls and simple decorations. I could tell that there was going to be some decent food here because, when you first walk in there was a short Hispanic woman diligently making fresh tortilla’s out in the open behind the seating area. The smell of the fresh tortilla’s being made was a goooood start. It set that rumbly in the tumbly feeling! Besides whats cooler than seeing tortilla’s being made right in front of you.We were immediately seated with enough room for my family of five who has a appetite for a family of ten. My kids attacked the chips on the table like they’ve never eaten a meal before (note to self… don’t forget to feed the kids regularly). A quick note on the service… wow. My water glass was never half full and the chip baskets were never empty – excellent service. The kids got the traditional taco, rice and beans, my wife got the standard Combo #-whatever that you find on most Mexican restaurant menu’s, but I decided to be adventurous and order one of the specials. I got the Plato de Barbacoa. The combo’s weren’t’ anything special, just the normal enchilada, taco, rice and beans. But holy huevos rancheros Batman… the Plato de Barbacoa was a tasty treat. This dish described as, ” Jucy Mexican Style BBQ beef prepared with an appealingly different blend of spices” was just that. The meat was tender and came bathed in a reddish sauce that was distinctly abuela’s (grandma’s) recipe. It was served with a pile of onions and cilantro; rice and beans; and a side of the fresh tortilla’s. Mix all that up, and pile it onto a tortillas with the yummy salsa verde (that came with the chips) and OOOHHHH YEAHHHH! Me was a happy Buhdda Boy. Washed that down with a Pacifico and life is good. If you go to La Choza, don’t bother with the standard combo fare. It’s no different than you find at the typical Mexican restaurants. Go with the Especiales senoires y senorita’s.. esta muy delicioso!. My personal choice for any restaurant is to as myself, “would I go back?”. I would go back to La Choza, specifically for the Especiales. I La Choza 3 Belly Rubs.
Happy Eating,
Scott Buddha
Hola Hungry Buddha Bellies,
I recently had a very “deliciosos” lunch at my favorite Mexican hole in the wall near my work in Corona, CA. i discovered this place one day when I was hanging out with the local workers in the wharehouse and asked them where do they go for a great, cheap, and fast place to get lunch? I emphasized on CHEAP and GREAT. They reccomended me to EL TACO LUCAS off of Lincoln Street exit in Corona. It is a small family run business a “hole in the wall” establishment which always mean very authentic and tasty.
I have had lots of items here in the past with so many lunches here from tacos, burritos, tortas, and Shrimp Diavolos, All MUY BUENO (very good). Today I had their chorizo tortas and an Al Pastor soft taco. I know I had the cravings of Jamon (pork) today and I thought the smokey, salty, greasy meat would do its job. If you have not had a torta before it is a fluffy soft sandwich with lightly grilled buns and stacked with items made fresh with a mixture of lettuce, tomatos, onions and cilantro topped with a red smokey chipotle salsa. YUMMY!!!. To add to the spicy flavors I love their grilled seasoned jalapeno peppers. I can only eat the outside skin, avoiding the seeds, which at first bite is sweet but then you get a hint of salt from the charred outside skin, and then after 10 seconds you feel the HEAT, Caliente to say the least!!! My little Buddha Head was totally beadding up with sweat and I was feeling pretty good and pumped. All That for 7 bucks including a drink, not bad, si?
To quench my thirst I had their homemade Jaimaica (hibiscus flavored) drink. Tasted very refreshing and flowery frangrace that compliments the spice. Finally as an idulgence I went around the corner to the Mexican market CARDENAS and got myself a special treat to cool off my spice. I got myself one of the best things I discovered this summer which was mexican coconut popscicles. I first discovered this sinful treat at a friends birthday party where they had rented an icecream man truck to stop by and give all of the kids their choices of treats. My “Latin Flavor” friends suggested to try this “Healdos Mexico premium all anatural ice cream” popscile and with one bite I know if just found bliss. Look here senor and senoritas, the popsicle is like a creamy milky ice with slivers of real coconut that reminds you that it is all natural. Took me back as if I was on the beach in Los Cabos enjoying the warm tropics.
I would like to give El Tacos Lucas 4 RUBS of the belly for “deliciosos” fast mexican food. Try it out if you are in the Corona area. If it is good for the locals it’s good for me. Enjoy!
So I had lunch with ”my Boyz” at this new place that just opened up in HB called Rodrigo’s Mexican Food. It’s a very nice restaurant, very chic and a great competitor for El Torito which was literally across the street from them. Rodregos used to be the same building as Don Jose but definitely very updated and everything is brand new. I know this is not the first “Asian” experience that the Hungry Buddha Belly should report about but it is the first of many blogs in the future. I was excited about starting, so forgive me.
We were the first people in when they opened the doors at 11am and I was very impressed the the enctrance, decor and hostess. HOWEVER one of my “pet peeves” as my friends know is where I was seated. When my boyz and I were eating at another establishment called DON RAMONES we get the same issue everytime. As expected if you are the FIRST customers to come in a restaurant you should be seated at the BEST Table in the whold place. Instead we were seated by the entrance in a corner booth sort of cramp and dark. I would of preferred to be seated in a big booth near a well lit window to see my food and menu.
The service does make up for any short cummings though. The waiters, bust boys, water refiller guy, was very attentive and ON IT! Traditionally I can make a pretty good decesion about food in a Mexican restaurant by the chips and salsa and the taste of the chicken taco. So I got a Tacos de Pollo and my friend got a chimichanga. The chips were excellent, very flaky and crispy and not heavy. THe salsa was about average but seems to be very fresh, it could of used just a little more heat in the spice area. We also ordered the fresh made Guacomole and that was good and well presented in a bowl with lettuce accents.
We got our food and the Chimichanga look great except they loaded up the Sour Cream on the Chimi like it was a giant whip cream on a sundae. I tasted the Chimichunga and it was ok, nothing to be wowed about. The chicken tacos was uneventful petty basic. Now we did ask our hostess what was the best think that she thought Rodrego’s has to offer and she reccommended the appetizer tacos and the fajitas. Unfortunately this was lunch and I think I would give another chance for Rodrego’s to change my mind about the food maybe during dinner one day and a taste of the Fajitas.
Overall, I would give Rodrigo’s 2 BELLY RUBS. The service was exceptional and the ambiance is great and hip but the food that I tasted needs improvements in the more “authentico” area. I would say this place is at par with El Torito. As I mentioned I think I would give myself a dinner moment to re-evaluate my opinon.
