My husband's only birthday wish (this weekend) is for homestyle Mexican cooking. He's a southern ohio born and raised kid so I don't know where he gets this from. Traditionally we go to El Tipico's to celebrate. There was mention in another post here about a restaurant on Broadway near Western that used to becalled Jalisco's. Are there any other places anyone can recommend? Booze is not necessary, although wifey (me) wouldn't mind belting back a couple of margaritas.
Homestyle Mexican Restaurant ???
Comments ... #
Hopefully ToledoLatina will be on line and be able to help you - that's who wrote about the one on Broadway.
But generally, what you are looking for in these parts is hard to come by. I dont know who first posted the descriptor "TacoBell with a Liquor liscense", but that generally hits the nail on the head.
El Sueno on Laskey, between Secor and Douglas. Great atmosphere, great waiters, great food. I highly recommend it.
The places on Broadway (there are a couple) are all super good. The one right at the base of the high level is to die for.. but It's not really a sit down type of place.
For great Mexican food try El Camino Real on Sylvania and Douglas! Great Food! Everyone I ever recommended the place to loves it!
posted by ilovetoledo on Jul 10, 2009 at 12:47:41 pm #
How about Abuelos? I've only been there once but found them to be decent.
El Camino is not good. I have yet to try a Mexican restaurant in Toledo that doesn't taste like every other crappy Mexican restaurant in Toledo.
Examples:
El Camino
El Vaquero
Venturas
Casa Barrons
The one in Maumee in the Golden Gate Plaza
Loma Lindas
Barrons
They all taste the same, and are all horrible.
True story here: A friend, K, and I were going to go to Mi Hacienda's on Glanzman. I asked another friend, L, what the name of the place was, because I couldn't remember. Her reply: "Don't go there! I don't know what they do to their meat, but it's the consistency of dog food."
K and I go anyway, and get a seat by the window. Sure enough, as we're sitting there, a pet food truck drives up and pulls around the back!
Mi Hacienda will always be the Dog Food Cafe to us.
I second Abuelos. It's very chain-y, but they have great food, including a lot of more obscure items that are more authentically "Mexican" than the others.
Stay away from Casa Barron in Perrysburg. Horrible. I'm not a fan of El Vaquero, either.
posted by joshwoodward on Jul 10, 2009 at 01:48:16 pm #
wow. its interesting how different people's opinions are of local mexican food.
I swear by El Sueno. Actually drove from the Point to pick up some carry out just last night.
Problem is just because there is a huge difference between homestyle mexican and 'taco bell with a liquor license' that doesnt mean there isnt a HUGE demand for TB/LL type restaurants, and that people who are TB/LL fans are hugely loyal to the ones they like.
San Marcos on Broadway...like upso said not a sit down place but as real as it gets around here.
posted by transcom on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:32:43 pm # 1 person liked this
Have you thought about going to Mexican town up in Detroit? I don't know personally of any restaurants up there but heard from family members that's where they go. And its not to far from the MGM, maybe make it a night up there.
As for Toledo, I don't know of the name but the restaurant is located between Western Avenue and La Paloma Bakery. It's where the old Horns Hardware store use to be. I have not yet to eat there though. Jaslico has since closed I am not sure if the new place is open.
posted by ToledoLatina on Jul 10, 2009 at 02:35:30 pm #
Yikes - decisions, decisions. El Camino is out. We've tried that and found it lacking. I couldn't stomach the margaritas either. ToledoLatina - have friends recommended to you the place where Horns Hardware used to be? It's come down to that or El Sueno's. We have family in from San Diego so a sit down is a must. There's no time to get up to Detroit. Abuelo's isn't really homestyle, although I did enjoy our meal there, Hubby did not and it's his day.
Dog Food! That's about as bad as the chinese restuarant out Central Ave. that the health department closed about 10 years ago because they found a skinned cat in the freezer. We ate there all the time.
Holland, El Sueno is nothing to look at. It is clean and bright and they just opened their patio. But I will tell you that anybody I have taken there or recommended it to loves it. The service is top notch as well. The wait staff has always been very friendly. The margaritas are nice too because they are somewhat strong, but not medicinal like I find at El Camino. Let us know how it goes and enjoy your night out!
Puerto Valarta on 795 near Oregon Rd is awesome!
posted by INeedCoffee on Jul 10, 2009 at 03:45:04 pm #
Clean is necessary. Fancy fixtures are not. Just authentic food. What you describe about El Sueno is just the type of place we like. Thanks. We appreciate it.
See, we've been going to 'MiHa' for a bit, I guess because the first few times, my Spanish and knowledge on Mexican futbol broke the ice. Plus that day we saw quite a few Lationos eating there. I'm not sure if it's best to judge a place based on types of clients, but that's a lesson I learned from relatives in Chicago.
El Camino. What can I say about that place. Real Sky had ground beef that I swear tasted like dirt from a construction site! And the main El Camino gets raves I'm sure due to the margaritas. But the food I had that day was quite sloppy.
Notice no one mentions Carmels or Pepe's, whatsupwiththat?
The worst meal my husband & I ever had was El Camino Real - gagged at first bites, a horrible red sauce that seemed to be a mix of canned enchilada sauce & pork & bean sauce. They have the worst margaritas we've ever had. I could never understand why they always won the "best Mexican restaurant" in the City Paper's "Best Of.." poll. Never a mention of Ventura's, Carmels, Loma Linda's or Magdelaina's (In Mich off Douglas) - all have been around decades & all are always paeked with people. Then it hit me - the "winners" in the City Paper's "Best Of.." are always the ones who advertise all the time in the City Paper & El Camino Real always does - the others do not. The "winner" for 'best local sculptor" was Carruth (sp) studio - a man who does make his own molds, but his works are basically plaster cast items - at least that's what they look like to me. Not a mention of JoAnne Cousino (I think that's her name) who did the amazing life sized family sculpures downtown. I think El Camino Real earned a following of younger people who graded it bssed on how good a time they had while drunk on the patio, not so much the food.
Decades ago, I had an amazing meal at an authentic Mexican restaurant on Broadway or there abouts - menu was in Spanish at that time so my date ordered for me. Food to die for. Abuelo's is good for a chain - less typical food. Carmel's beef & bean burralda's (sp) are my favorite. yummmmm.
posted by starling02 on Jul 11, 2009 at 12:10:23 am #
I'm in walking distance to Pepe's and used to enjoy it. They're just not good anymore...from dirty glasses to ants coming out of the basket of nacho chips.
I will admit this was 1 yr ago and I've heard there are new owners, I'm not ready to take the chance, :)
El Sueno is top notch! Always exceptional.
We went to El Camino Real after a co-worker of mine recommended it and was very disappointed. As Starling said, the City Paper's Best of issue is a joke! The businesses that win not only advertise heavily in the paper, but also promote themselves a lot with their customers to get them to fill out the City Paper forms. A certain health care professional I used to go to offered me a 10 percent discount if I filled out the form, which he had a stack of in his waiting room. Just didn't feel right, particularly a medical professional. I never went back. I would never go to a business based on the City Paper's Best of. In fact, I would probably be sure not to go there if it made it in the paper's Best Of issue.
Good luck, Holland, on your authentic Mexican dinner. I'm getting hungry just writing about it.
We went to El Sueno - 6 of us, including one small child who ate fries and chicken fingers. So, we got to sample five different meals. Rated the food an A- and the margies an A. Everybody had a good time and my husband got the sombrero, birthday song and the dessert in the face. We'll definitely make this one of our regular stops.
We also intend to try every non chain with a positive recommendation here, starting with the Broadway Western area and moving outward from there. I particularly want to get take out from the one by the high level bridge. My husband considers all the places that we have'nt heard about before and recommended here as the best birthday present he got. Thanks all.
YOU GOTTA GO WAAAAAY BACK TO REMEMBER WHERE THE GOOD STUFF WAS..
Acapulco's on Summit & Cherry. heh heh heh
posted by michiganbluecollar on Jul 11, 2009 at 11:02:42 am #
I used to go to El Tipico on South street.They had what I thought was good authentic Mexican food.Has anybody on here been there lately?The only thing I didn't like is they don't have a liquor license.I have to have a marg if i am having Mexican food.
posted by buckeye278 on Jul 11, 2009 at 12:54:10 pm #
They still have fabulous food. But, no alcohol. That's why my husband was looking for new place to go. He wants hot mexican food and an ice cold beer. I want a couple of mild margaritas with top shelf tequila, refried beans made with real lard, tamales and an avacado salad.
El Tipicos is run by the original owners son now, and he was super annoying while we were there, glad handing all over the restaurant and pointing out every minute that Carty eats there, ew. The food was nothing like when Mama was cooking, stay away.
El Salto in Maumee on the Trail and Conant has always been good to us.
Theres a different one in the Fazoli's bldg on the Northwood Meijers outlot now, Dos Hermanos. Got the carne asada tacos and they were awesome and had the leftovers for next day, there was so much. Ordered the same thing at Cinco de Mayo on Alexis and everyone else was done before I got my food. Plus, it sucked...the meat was dry
posted by nana on Jul 11, 2009 at 04:22:11 pm # 1 person liked this
My favorite Mexican Restaurant in Toledo is El Vaquero. I've also heard great things about El Sueno from many people but haven't had a chance to go yet.
Whatever you do though, avoid that place on Central near Secor (across from Fresh Market) in the old Pondersoa. It was one of the most disgusting meals I've ever had and service was poor.
posted by taliesin52 on Jul 14, 2009 at 01:34:42 pm #
I reopened this old thread concerning local, authentic Mexican Restaurants because El Tipico on South Street was mentioned in this thread. My wife and I have dined at El Tipico's for over 15 years. They have been a small, family run restaurant in Toledo for over 43 years over on South Street. At the end of last year they closed for remodeling. We were actually a little nervous that they had closed for good. I just wanted to pass along that they are investing in major renovations, I am assuming one of the children has taken the reins. We called there recently and received a phone message that if you go out to Facebook and search [El Tipico Restaurant] and "like" them you will get updates about renovations. You will also see some of the pictures of renovations on Facebook.
I notice many comments concerning supporting local small business and would encourage people after Tipico's re-opens to give them a try or even a second chance. Staying in business in Toledo for 43 years is in itself impressive.
- One note - On Facebook if you read some of the comments and notes they ask if you have any suggestions for menu items or changes. For those with pretty acute, authentic tastes you might have an opportunity here to bring something unique to Toledo that is not offered by the cookie cutter Nacho and Marguerita establishments.
posted by Danneskjold on May 24, 2012 at 08:29:45 pm # 1 person liked this
Not do derail, but this is as good a thread as any. Can we get some real Cuban food up in this joint? Man alive.
posted by toledolen_ on May 24, 2012 at 11:36:36 pm #
do=to
posted by toledolen_ on May 24, 2012 at 11:37:17 pm #
EL CAMINO has terrible food. Just sayin' lol
posted by stooks on May 25, 2012 at 07:40:38 am # 2 people liked this
El Camino on woodville has actually stepped up their game. I had given up on the chain until a recent visit. I was pleasantly surprised.
I hate to say it, but I tried Carmel's not too long ago and found it was just completely foul. And I'm really not very picky. My meal was reminiscent of bad Hamburger Helper.
My next attempt will be El Salto, I think.
toledolen, you open the place and I'll patronize it!
When I was living in Orlando, I always missed the Lebanese/Mediterranean cuisine. Now that I'm back up here, I have the same problem with the Cuban food. Having some black beans and rice with some fried plantain chips to scoop it up with... mmm...
marillion - I enjoyed the food at El Salto.
Yes, I had a few margaritas while dining, so I can't guarantee that didn't affect my thoughts on the place. :)
However, I thought it was better than the average Mexican restaurant in greater Toledo.
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