Jeff S.
Yelp
Calaveras is a cool, quirky little joint that dishes up some first class grub.
While on our way to Yelp!s Movie Night On the Green, we decided to knock out a bookmark and try someplace new. Wife selected Calaveras from the list, and that was that.
We found the place very easily (right on the corner of Lewis and Admiral) and parked a block or so away.
At Calaveras, you order and pay at the counter, and they bring it to you when it's done. If you need a few minutes to pore over the rather large menu, you can grab one and go to your table. Once you've decided, you place your order, pay, and proceed to the salsa bar/drink station. Many good salsa choices are available, and when they say one is 'hot'.... it's 'hot'.... not sorta hot.... not kinda hot.... but "holy singed tastebuds, Batman' hot.... The creamy habanero was deceptively calm looking just sitting there on the salsa bar.... teasing me by looking so creamy and wonderful.... until it hit my tastebuds... then it was like liquid fire.... Seriously, it wasn't that hot.... but 'hot' means hot.....
We started with a bowl of white queso and guacamole. The queso was seriously one of the best I've ever had. Hands down. The guac was fresh, chunky and good. That said, it could have used a tad bit more lime juice, to fit my personal preference. However, that didn't stop me from eating the entire bowl. By myself.
The Wife had the Pollo Loco (I think that was the name.... chicken w onions and peppers), and I, of course.... had Pork Chile Verde.... I know, right?
The Wife's order was extremely well seasoned and cooked. The breast meat was maybe a tad dry, but that's breast meat for you, so no points off there. It had a deep, complex flavor that really made me want to try more. Beans and rice were both very good, with the rice really excelling. I know.... how can a side of rice be that good? This was. Something in the dish gave it a slightly earthy taste that was just really refreshing.
My Pork Chile Verde, was sadly, not what I had hoped it would be. Overall, my entire dish was just slightly lukewarm. Beans and rice were, as ,mentioned, quite tasty, even lukewarm. The Verde was a disappointment. The meat was left in large chunks, which told me it hadn't cooked NEARLY long enough. It was dry and pretty bland. The sauce was lacking any serious punch or real flavor. And keep in mind, this was my 3rd round of Verde in 6 days.... so I had some fresh comparisons.
All that said, we'll be back. One slightly off dish out an entire evening isn't enough to deter me from giving Calaveras a second chance, because they have a rotisserie-looking chicken that I really need to take a shot at. If it's half as good as the picture on the menu, it'll be awesome.
Again, great queso, great guac, and overall, great food, coupled with a cool little diner look and feel.
Definitely make it a point to stop in and see for yourself.