Daniel B.
Yelp
What a delightful little restaurant!
I've seen my fair share of steam table based latin places, and they are a mixed bag. But there are a few things that set Mi Casa apart.
For starters, I love the three choices of serving sizes. There's a diminutive $5 tin. For heartier appetites, you can upgrade to a larger $7.50 vessel. And for those who are either truly starving, in training for an intense sports event, or buying food with the intention of having leftovers, there's the full sized $10 plate.
One of my biggest pet peeves is shocking large restaurant serving sizes, so it's wonderful to see a little latin place bucking that trend. Brava!
I was there for lunch, and I went for the small, which was plenty for my 180+ pound frame.
Being new to the place, I asked about how this all worked. And I was walked through all the options for rice, and shown all the proteins. This is when it's important to eat with your eyes. The thing that looked most appealing was the rice with pigeon peas, and the stewed chicken.
My thought was that if I was still hungry at the end of this plate, I could always get an empanada or try one of the slices of house made tres leches. While there was no flan in the case, I asked, and they occasionally have it. But like the dishes on the steam table, the sweets are rotation of ever changing options.
Except I wasn't hungry at the end of my plate. The chicken on the bone was tasty, and I loved that some of the stewed juices and vegetables were ladled on top. Maybe the meat could have been more tender. The leg meat was better than the breast chunks. But for five bucks, this was a satisfying, delicious, and comforting meal.
I do wish that the counter was either higher, or the stools shorter, as I felt like I was towering over my food as I ate. But it looks like most people enjoy Mi Casa as a takeout option, and the food does seem well suited for transit.
This is just another great little place that the residents of Troy can call their own. The place is well lit, the visible spaces are immaculately clean, and the staff is friendly. The price is right. The food is good. The portions are ideal for human consumption.
It's full of potential. I'm hoping to get back and try more things, and should I find a dish that truly lights up all those pleasure centers in my brain, I'll look forward to adding another star.