Scott M.
Yelp
Mexican joints are getting to be like Italianos-You're going to be relatively assured you'll have SOMETHING edible no matter what.
Then there's the outliers on top of the curve, who take the familiar and elevate it. Bien Trucha, here, is one of those.
Curb appeal?, I drove past it. Nothing bad, just conservative.
They have an attractive outdoor seating area, which I did not take advantage of, 'cos it was raining, plus; I'm really not a fan of dining al fresco. I know there are a lot of folks who DO dig fressing outside, and this looks like a fine place to do it.
Inside, it's still conservative, but most pleasant. Hope you don't mind sharing space, 'cos the tables are thisclosetogether. I arrived right at the opening bell, on a weekday afternoon, so I was the onliest person in the section. If it was crowded, having people sit that close would not be good for Wife and I, to the point we'd prolly not dine there. Which would be unfortunate, as the food and drinks are ripping good here-read on.
I had heard from a fellow foodie the Margaritas were top-notch. He was wrong. They are UNBELIEVABLY EXCELLENT. My notes from the visit were "OMG!" Up 'til now, my Margy standard has been the West Side's Lalo's. Please see my Yelps for that forlorn former evergreen, who's food and service has slipped below Taco Bell quality. I have sung like Caruso about their Margarita. I hope the accountants who prolly now call the shots at Lalo's haven't targeted their superstar player.
But I digress.
The Margarita here, is above and beyond the call. Truth be known, it's a small pour, wished it was a bit more generous. As I was driving, it was a "one and done"-so the small size was actually a plus. But damn! I sure wanted another and another. There actually was a great fix for that craving-read on.
I ordered the "Trio" flight of dips-a guacamole, a pepitas thing, and a corn thing. Came with a basket of fine totopos, wot I suspect were hecho in casa. You can order any of those dips as a full order, but I wanted to sample. They were all excellent.
For Hors D'oeuvre I had the Aguachile De Res-It was a ceviche-type thing, although done with hanger steak. Cold steak doesn't sound appetizing, but this dish was tasty, indeed!
Tacos are the main event here-2 to an order. The menu is a siren, a cruel temptress. I wanted one of each, but that wasn't gonna happen. I swung with the Hongos (Mushrooms) 'cos I've never had mushroom tacos, and I LOVE mushrooms. They were divine. Was on the verge of ordering another pair of something else, but I know I would have been overstuffed. Didn't want to leave there with that icky too-full feeling.
I nursed that Margarita as long as I could, 'cos it was fabulous accompaniment to the cuisine, but there's only so much in the glass.
The very efficient bartender Omar, who doubled as my pleasant and totally pro waiter let me in on a secret. The "Limonada" on the menu was the aforementioned "miracle margarita" minus the boozy stuff. Eureka! It was a great wash for the remainder of the meal, and slaked the aching desire for another round of the diminutive nutterbutter that began it.
None of this was cheap. I left about $75 for my solo dinner with one cocktail. One more thing: The music was REALLY loud-and as I indicated, it was early and I was the only one in that room. I'm a musician, and love to hear it. But they were playing a hip-hop program, and if I was in the bar, it would have been cool. It was opening time, and I suspect the music was loud as the staff prepared for the evening. I get it. But loud hip-hop isn't my first choice for dining music. I asked them to turn it down, and they did, slightly; but it was still a bit annoying. Nothing against hip-hop, mind you.
So anyway,
The bread rates 5 stars, but I'm docking one star for the circuses. High prices, a Lilliputian Margarita, too close seating, and an ear-bending soundtrack are the opportunity areas for this otherwise excellent resto.
Will DEFINITELY return here-Early in the afternoon, though...