Smiley M.
Yelp
After last night's debacle of American food masquerading as Spanish cuisine, my life partner and I decided to find an authentic Mexican restaurant--the kind that doesn't have a sign at the door reading "Mi casa es tu case," like the one at Casa in Fishkill. That's the Spanglish equivalent of saying, "My house is you house."
We knew we'd hit the authentic Mexican food jackpot the moment we pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall. Yes... a strip mall. I know, I know--I had my doubts too. But on the east side of the building, a manicured deck promised delicious meals to come, complete with ample outdoor seating and a thinly veiled attempt to distract from the scenic view of... the MHV Bank and parking lot. Still, it was a good college try.
The staff was friendly and happy to seat us inside at my request. I counted twenty tables and a bar. While the interior has plenty of room for larger parties, I'd recommend calling ahead if you're rolling in with a group of ten.
Those chips--yes, those chips (see picture)--are made in-house on their very own tortilla machine and served warm enough to make you do a double take. The salsa? Homemade, fresh, and just spicy enough to make you wonder how the rest of the meal could possibly live up to it. (I asked, so you don't have to.)
My life partner, being a seasoned chile rellenos reviewer (and let's be honest, a bit of a purist), ordered them without hesitation. I, true to form, stayed loyal to my standby: medium-rare carne asada. Thin skirt steak, sure--but instead of rice, I requested sautéed vegetables, because balance. The attention to detail didn't go unnoticed--smoked cheese inside the rellenos, queso fresco sprinkled delicately on the beans.
I leaned in, fork hovering, and stole a bite of her chile rellenos--much to her chagrin. She gave me that "really?" look. But it was worth it. The cheese pull was glorious, borderline theatrical. The flavors? Complex, roasted, just the right hint of fire. The steak was everything I'd hoped for--grill marks proud and present, center warm and red, seasoned with a confident hand. (See pictures.)
So I cut into the meat... and it's absolutely perfect. Dripping with juice, rich with flavor. The guacamole? Just right--not too much garlic, not too bland. Refried beans are well-balanced, and the veggies, while a touch salty, were still crisp and colorful enough to feel like a real side dish instead of an afterthought. I sighed--actually sighed--as I leaned back and took a slow sip of the "Flaco Margarita" (see picture). If I closed my eyes, I could almost pretend I was in Oaxaca, Mexico--if it weren't for the guy two tables over talking loud enough to narrate my inner monologue. Oh well.
Oh, the Flaco Margarita? You want to know about that? Okay... it's served in a glazed terra cotta cup, and notably features not one, not two, but three flavors of salt on the rim: red pepper salt, lime-jalapeño salt, and classic kosher salt--all encircling the lip like a flavorful crown, topped off with the obligatory lime wedge. A bit bitter without the simple syrup, yes--but that's the tradeoff. The "top shelf" version is proudly low-carb, which is perfect if (like me) you prefer to spend your precious carbohydrate allowance on more noble pursuits than sugar water.
We passed on dessert (we're gluten-free--celiac disease sucks), and the bill arrived as the final course. For under 80 bucks, I was reasonably impressed. I would definitely recommend this place for an enjoyable, flavorful, genuinely cared-for meal--especially over those "power" Mexican joints. (Yes, I'm talking about you, Casa in Fishkill.)
And thank you for taking the time to read this review all the way to the end. You're awesome.
