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| Steak fajitas at La Carreta, Bismarck |
Being a fan of Mexican food, I've been happy to see a recent influx of Mexican eateries in Bismarck and I've had many conversations with friends trying to answer one simple question: Where's the best Mexican food in town? The answer, unfortunately, isn't so simple. I've been to them all, and there isn't one best one, but here's my analysis, including my conclusion of the one Mexican place that I would take YOU to.
First, some ground rules:
1) No chains. Taco del Mar is pretty darn tasty, you can't beat the price of your free birthday dinner at Paradiso, Taco John's potato oles are infamous, and say what you will, I ate many Taco Bell bean burritos after the bars closed in my college days. But none of those are included here.
2) Bismarck only. I've heard of great Mexican joints in Valley City, Dickinson and Beach, ND, but I'm staying in my neighborhood here.
3) This is just my opinion, folks! I welcome discussion and opinion, but be nice about it, mm-k?
Fiesta Villa
Food: Average
Ambiance: Excellent
Service: Above Average
What to order: drinks. Fiesta Villa is famous for their margaritas.
Who you would take here: your work buddies or a large group of girlfriends who want to get sloshed
Located in the old railroad depot, Fiesta Villa is a landmark in downtown Bismarck. The interior is beautiful with its painted sky ceiling, and the patio is a summer hot spot (must be over 21). Trains still go by every hour, blowing their horns as they pass, but it's actually one of those quirky things that makes Fiesta Villa unique. Between its location and atmosphere, Fiesta Villa is an easy, crowd-pleasing gathering spot. The food, however, is not going to bowl you over if you are looking for authentic Mexican. The chips are straight off the Sysco truck and the burrito platter isn't anything special. The fajitas are decent, and fun to order when they come out of the kitchen on their sizzling skillet. But this is all textbook Midwestern Mexican food, with a splash of just plain not Mexican food on the side (Mayan Pizza, anyone?). Stick to the drinks, order some apps with friends, and remember to clap your hands over your ears when you hear the train approaching.
La Carreta
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| Photo from Tripadvisor.com |
Food: Average
Ambiance: Average
Service: Average
What to order: I've only been there once so far, but can attest to the great chips and tasty steak fajitas
Who you would take here: your parents or other people who like chain restaurants like Applebee's but want to try something "different"
I believe La Carreta actually started in Jamestown, and this is their second location. Located on Expressway in what locals will know as the old DiDonna's Italian restaurant (although I remember when it was still Skippers; I'll never forget that clam chowder that made me ill as a kid). It's nicely repainted inside, and while the service is pretty abrupt and impersonal, at least the chips are warm (nice touch) and the salsa is good. However, I had a hard time ordering because I wanted something on corn tortillas, or at least something fresh and interesting. Alas, everything on the menu seemed to be standard fare on flour tortillas, save a few rolled taquitos. I settled on the steak fajitas, with good flavor in the meat, some guac on the side as a plus, but the rest of the burrito and chimichanga platter orders at our table ("I'll have the Number Two," said my husband, as I snickered immaturely with my mother-in-law across the table) seemed just average, your usual bulky gravy-covered plate with the side of rice and beans. Next.
Los Lunas
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| Photo from KXNet.com |
Food: Above Average
Ambiance: Below Average
Service: Average
What to order: pork or beef tacos. Skip the chicken.
Who you would take here: no one. Go by yourself and just eat.
First of all, shouldn't it be "Las Lunas"? My classroom Spanish is confused with the masculine Los associated with the feminine Lunas...
Spanish grammar aside, I really really wanted to love Los Lunas, located in the otherwise-empty food court of Gateway Mall. It's a little family-owned place with sparkly streamers lining the order area. The kids are there working with their parents. They even serve breakfast items, which I haven't tried yet but plan to soon. The taco shells are hand-fried and constitute the one thing that makes this place stand apart from the crowd. The shredded pork and beef that fills the tacos is delicious (the chicken, however, is quite bland). The beans and rice are good too. Ask for a squeeze bottle of hot sauce: so good. However, Los Lunas has a few big issues:
1) Paper plates, plastic silverware, and styrofoam clamshells. I understand the expense of dishes and dishwashers, but I'm not a fan.
2) No lettuce. The tacos are actually too meaty - it's just meat in a shell. I need a little crunch for texture, so asked for lettuce and was informed that they actually don't have lettuce, but would I like some extra pico? Not the same.
3) The atmosphere is terrible. It's not their fault that Gateway Mall is so hideous, but there is something about the lighting and the slippery floors and all the empty store fronts that just screams desperation every time I walk in. It should just get bulldozed.
4) The credit card pay system is Square on a cell phone. I'm a big fan of Square, but if their teenage daughter gets a call on the phone while you are paying on the phone, it gets a little weird. Get a dedicated tablet.
Taco Palenque (recent name change to Arnaldo's)
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| Photo from Tripadvisor.com |
Food: Above Average
Ambiance: Average
Service: Above Average
What to order: ask about the specials, but do yourself a favor and get some chips and salsa too.
Who you would take here: me. Or I would take you there. Because I think you'd want to try it.
I am not stating that Taco Palenque is the best Mexican food in town. Frankly, I don't think anyone wins that honor. However, I think it's the best Mexican foodie experience in town. It's the hole in the wall that everyone hopes to find. There's something about the authenticity of the place - the plastic chairs, the random Mexican candy for sale, the self-serve cooler filled with Coca-Cola and Fanta, the jolly Mexican guy who greets you with a huge smile and sometimes a hand shake, the solemn señora who quietly brings out your food. Even the fact that it's in a somewhat industrial area of Bismarck, with the outdoor tables basically right in the parking lot - like my friend Duane said, you know, that's basically how it is in Mexico. The food is good - I've had some great chiles rellenos there along with darn good tacos. Their chips and salsa is the real deal, if a little sparse in salsa serving portions. The only weird thing about Taco Palenque is the meat. It can be a little tough, and I recall one meal where I had to spit a few sinewy pieces of beef out of my mouth, unable to chew them. I'm sure the meat is cooked through and not going to make anyone ill - it's more of a texture thing. But hey, maybe that's how it is in Mexico, too?
Enjoyed your rundown!
ReplyDeleteI have been to La Carrete 3x and never eaten there. The first two times there were lines out the door, and the last time 3pm Saturday) they were closed from 2-5!
ReplyDeleteFiesta recently changed their menu. I feel they reduced their options a bit (no more Mayan pizza, instead it's a taco pizza on...fry bread. Don't order it.) and I'm even less excited about the food now.
I finally tried Tacos Palenque the other week. The sign outside now says Arnaldos, but inside it's TP. not sure what that's about!
Where is Tacos Palenque?
ReplyDeleteI loved this. And I love that you say not to bring anyone to Los Lunas. :) And that your high school Spanish was confused, as was mine. I need to go back to Taco Palenque. In reading your rundown, I figured out my problem -- I got carne asada. Will steer clear of that next time.
ReplyDeleteLove all the comments and updates. Nancy and Calvin, it's in south Bismarck on Airport Rd, just off Expressway.
ReplyDeleteLos Lunas is the family name. Las Lunas would be as if they were calling themselves the moons. The family started up on their own. No bank loans just hard earned money. They have great food and I admire the fact that even though they have a lot of people offering to back them in this family venture they chose to do it themselves. Very responsible if you ask me. They have fresh delicious food. They are learning and growing every day. I personally enjoy this little place. Gateway Mall is definitely not a beautiful location, but who cares if the food is great. But we all have the right to our own opinion.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with most her assessments from a non bias stand point. Coming from a place where authentic Mex were on almost every street corner to Bismarck, I struggled to find the place to eat that scratched that authentic Mex itch *I waited two hours down town by the train tracks. The food came cold and service, awful. Never went back. I had high hopes with reviews I had heard (my first foray into finding a Mex eatery, epic fail). *Cara, loud, rude staff and for what you get you pay a lot and not tasty OR filling. Chips were downright hot to the touch when tossed on our table by a waiter walking post. *Taco del mar, is hit and miss. Monday, the shells tasted starchy, the chips were stale and the service was like the D-team. When they have the A-team you have friendly service. I wish the shells we not prepackaged. The place itself is pretty rad, but sometimes the music gets a bit loud for casual conversation. For the longest time it was the only place I could get salsa to bring home. Los Lunas I like the beef and pork as well as the chicken, it is white meat and I never fear a bone coming out of it like other places. Highly flavored chicken is a sign of needing to cover something up anyways. I never noticed the lettuce not there, but after the sickness from that in eateries around the US, I'm happy it's not there. The staff is friendly and doing it all by yourself and in a temp location(I asked) is pretty brave as admirable. *TP, went in once and left because I am particular and if I cannot see what I want straight off, I'm not staying.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents of the review.