Jaei memoire
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🪴El Barrio
– Expectations Always Walk a Bit Ahead
I had passed by this restaurant many times on my trips to Koh Chang.
This time, I finally walked in—with a bit of hope, and years of curiosity.
Green plants filling the space,
deep red table mats,
dim lights glowing warmly in a dark-toned room.
Every corner seemed made for the camera. 📸
We ordered tacos, quesadillas,
Camarones al Ajillo served with rice—
All with a heart full of anticipation.🌮
But perhaps, I had expected too much.
No words like “Wow, delicious!” came immediately to mind.
The quesadilla had more of the earthy flavor of mushrooms than the richness of cheese.
The shrimp dish, cooked in olive oil, was pleasant but plain.
The margarita? Also safe and forgettable.🍸
But the biggest disappointment was the taco.
It was soggy and fell apart the moment I picked it up—
I had to eat it with a fork.🍴
I wasn’t asking for a perfectly crisp shell,
but I wasn’t expecting it to collapse in my hand either.
It was, honestly, a letdown.
I might want to try something else next time,
but my partner will probably protest with a firm “no.”🥲
Taste, after all, is deeply subjective.
It’s hard to meet everyone’s palate,
and nearly impossible to exceed expectations that have been built for years.
Still, there's a reason this place has lasted over 16 years.
The service is smooth, the system efficient,
and the atmosphere—the lush, exotic mood of a night in Koh Chang—is undeniable. ✨
If you come not just for the food,
but for the feeling of being somewhere far away,
El Barrio might just be worth a visit.
