Sunny T.
Yelp
preface: my quest for the best molcajete continues.
After returning to California from a colder state, I craved molcajete and Yelp suggested El Mestizo by Cafe Oaxaca. (My husband and I received menus with different covers: one read El Mestizo, the other Cafe Oaxaca. All items listed are the same.)
Located off the busy West 1st Street, the small but crowded confirms the satisfaction of its diners. We pulled into a space, and came face to face with a fantastic nativity scene, replete with magi, diverse livestock and turkeys! As we entered the small dining room, savory aromas and familias seated around tables were promising signs of authentic and delicious food. Metallic Christmas decorations and mini piñatas added cheer to the space, which also featured a variety of Mexican artwork like portraits and a Diego Rivera print.
We were seated quickly by friendly waitress who brought free chips (with mildly sweet (red) mole and crumbly queso fresco) and (a smokey, spicy) salsa. The molcajete lured us, here, but we were ecstatic to see several options of mole: negro, rojo, amarillo. (We'll be back for sure!!!)
Unlike other molcajete, this version wasn't estofado (or stew). No bubbling sauce or steaming stone mortar. However, the spicy chorizo (twisted to look like a chain of three meatballs) and grilled whole jalapeño brought on mild sweating. I was introduced to tasajo (grilled beef jerky), cecina (grilled pork jerky) and quesillo (string cheese). Equipped with grilled nopal, guacamole, and two giant handmade tortillas, I was able to assemble many combinations of flavor... and added the house salsa to add heat to the bites sin chorizo o jalapeño.
Note: the molcajete order features chicharron but I asked to omit it. As a lover of soups, I missed the stew... However, I appreciated the pleasantly full feeling after my meal; I didn't feel stuffed or bloated from drinking much stew / liquid.
Special thanks to the waitstaff for their hospitality. I enjoyed practicing the small amount of español I know. We also appreciated their patience as we explored the menu, with dishes we don't typically see at other Mexican restaurants.