Jens J.
Yelp
There's a couple snippets of good news resulting from my visit to Casa Durango today. First, better Mexican restaurants are located in the area so you don't have to settle for this place. Secondly, I now know what the heck a chalupa is.
Another Yeep mentioned that although their waitress was not, per se, unfriendly, she was unsmiling and cold. We must have had the same waitress. I certainly wasn't made to feel welcome.
Upon entry, I was surprised at how suave the restaurant appeared, especially the sleek booth seats. But that was at first glance. On second glance, I realized Casa Durango actually looked like sh*t. All over the long bare wall next to me were random little pieces of scotch tape, some with a bit of violet crepe paper attached. Assorted thumbtacks completed the mosaic. I presume they had had a fiesta or something in there and when they took the decorations down, didn't give a rat's ass about cleaning up thoroughly.
I asked for a cup of the tortilla soup as a starter and the #15 Chalupa and Enchilada lunch special ($7.95). Because my soup didn't come out right away I knew what was about to happen. Yep, the waitress brought out the soup and my entrée at the same time. I asked why she brought them both out together and she said she "tried" to tell the cook. Whatevs.
The tortilla soup was absolutely clogged and overloaded with tortilla chips from top to bottom. On the other hand, it had plenty of tender chicken in nice little bits. The flavor profile (if that is a legitimate term) was interesting in that it seemed to have a harsh odd taste at first, but by the last few drops, seemed better with a vegetable soup flavor.
My lunch special was served typically, i.e. with Mexican rice and refried beans topped with cheese. I picked ground beef as my meat. The flavors were okay.
Today I had my first chalupa ever. Errantly, I had previously thought that a chalupa was sort of like an enchilada or relleño. I didn't realize that a chalupa is a huge (and I mean huge) tostada topped with meat, and here, in an American-y way, topped with shredded iceberg lettuce and tomato (which I just shoved to the side). I quickly realized you had to eat the thing with a knife and fork; it would be impossible to consume otherwise.
I noticed that other diners were offered tortillas with their meal, but I was not. Huh?