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How desperate is Capitol Hill for Mexican food?

Don’t do a lot of restaurant reviews here. First, reviews are ripe for overwritten ridiculousness — each bit of poached muskrat was a mouthful of fantasy. I thought it would be more salty. Second, reviews, especially bad reviews are really hard to write.

So, let me off the hook easy here. Just take my word for it. Don’t waste a meal on 15th Ave’s entrant in the bland Mexican restaurant hall of fame — Jalisco. We have tried it out of curiosity. We have tried it out of (relative) thrift. We have tried it out of sympathy. We won’t make the mistake again.

The meat was watery, bland. The molten sea of beans and rice was monotony on a plate. The tortillas were soggy. The highlight was the unremarkable margarita and the salsa. Yum on the salsa. Nice work.

Hate to hate on a local business but in this case, it’s fair. Some may say just set your expectations knee-high. Better, we think, to head over to El Gallito or to the Broadway outpost of local super chain Tacos Guaymas if you want to stay on the Hill. Taco Gringos if you are loaded past midnight.

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Graham
Graham
15 years ago

Anyone else here REALLY miss the mexican place above Hana Sushi? God,they had the best Chimichangas…

Bart Reynolds
Bart Reynolds
15 years ago

Above the QFC – this spot was a lot more fun before the Broadway Market converted. But you can sit outside, weather willing, and the service and food are good.

SeattleBrad
SeattleBrad
15 years ago

I live near Tacos Guaymas on Broadway, but I still walk all the way to Jalisco when I want some good Mexican food. I love it there.

Adam
Adam
15 years ago

Galarias for more interesting recipes and fishbowl margaritas, La Cocina & Cantina for torso-sized burritos and the mysterious Mexican buffet, and the relatively new El Tajin next to Siam. I ate at El Tajin with some friends the day after it opened and reviews were mixed. I have to check it out again sometime though, you can’t fairly judge a place on their second day of business.

pffft
pffft
15 years ago

I don’t hate it. I’ve had their carne asada and their enchiladas. While they weren’t the best I’ve had — and I’m tough to please on Mexican having lived in both California and Texas — I’d go there in a pinch.

But I definitely agree that 15th needs a better Mexican spot. Or at least another one.

jseattle
jseattle
15 years ago

No, you missed my point. Jalisco is NOT OK. Read more carefully, please, pffft.

jseattle
jseattle
15 years ago

What do you order, Brad? Beer and chips, I’d recommend.

pffft
pffft
15 years ago

I got your point. I just made a slightly different one. :)

yancy
yancy
15 years ago

The best Mexican I’ve had in Seattle–*by far*–is in that bus on Rainier S (what is that, like Columbia City?).

Tacos El Asadero.
(Sorry for the old link, but they have good photos, and the address.)

If anything is worth leaving Capitol Hill for, it’s their carnitas.

Erin Boniface
Erin Boniface
15 years ago

I LOVE JALISCOS. Are we eating the same food? Yummm, I want some right now

poppy
poppy
15 years ago

YES. Taqueria Express was my favorite Capitol Hill restaurant for years and years. I was so shocked and sad when they closed.

matthew
matthew
15 years ago

My wife, daughter, and I have been newly converted to El Gallito. We put off going there for the longest time. Its not the greatest Mexican ever and sometimes the service is slow, but its been really solid food wise and has become a monthly staple for us.

Andrew Taylor
15 years ago

Toddlers!

Bjorn
Bjorn
15 years ago

I dunno, I rather like Jalisco’s enchiladas. They remind me of the sort of stuff I used to get in Colorado.

I can’t really speak to their other stuff since… well… I always get their enchiladas. :)

El Gallito’s good too. I like their chimichangas, and their guacamole is for the win.

JB
JB
15 years ago

Don’t you white pastey folk have a token Mexican buddy who you are friends with so you get invited to his parents place for authentic Mexican food? or do you just have white friends only? This is the only way to get real Mexican food!!!

JS
JS
15 years ago

I went to El Tajin once, and all of the tomatoes still had QFC style produce stickers on them. I gagged, I refused to eat more, and I didn’t get a discount.

Avoid El skanky El Tajin!

Mike
Mike
15 years ago

Melina’s Taco Shop in Queen Anne. Do not test.

Maarten
Maarten
15 years ago

El Gallito? Are you kidding? Have they improved in the last 10 years? That place was so bad we never even gave them a 2nd chance.

It’s not Real Mexican, but I’d vote for Cactus as trumping any place mentioned yet… except of course it’s not on The Hill.

Katelyn
Katelyn
15 years ago

Jalisco’s definitely not okay, unless you’re desperate or drunk or both. Even in that case, go to the Canterbury and get some jalapeno poppers or something. :)

a mexican
a mexican
15 years ago

I’m from san francisco. So here you go… the best: la carta de oaxaca. Second best: Senor Moose Cafe. Third: Agua Verde. Fourth: El Tajin (sometimes). STAY AWAY from La Cocina, I was so disgusted with their food. They made their enchiladas with flour tortillas. You just don’t do that, it’s an insult to my people’s food.

Em
Em
15 years ago

I ordered a taco at Jalisco, and it consisted of a crappy store-bought shell (like the bland Taco Bell brand stuff found at QFC), meat, shredded iceberg lettuce, and a big, single chunk of under-ripe tomato. Frankly it was insulting, like they figured it was OK to be lazy and store-bought because the clientele wouldn’t recognize good Mexican food anyway. I much prefer Tacos Guaymas. It’s the best and most authentic on the Hill, in my opinion.

ben
ben
15 years ago

We live just a few blocks away from El Galito and didn’t realize that they were still open. We used to go there more often but the blocks surrounding that restaurant were rather scary after dark in the past few years. A couple of weeks ago, we stopped by for dinner. The food was good, the drinks were strong and the place was happening. We totally recommend it. With Deano’s gone, that immediate area should feel even safer.

final answer
final answer
15 years ago

Yes yes yes! Although, I would add Gordito’s to the list. Sorry Hill, you lose this one.

No Mex in Seattle
No Mex in Seattle
15 years ago

There is ABSOLUTELY NO good Mexican food in Seattle, PERIOD. Anyone who thinks so has never been to Texas, California, or Mexico.

heidi
heidi
15 years ago

Oh, come on…I’m from Texas, have spent lots of time in Mexico and I think the food at El Tajin is the best around here. I’ve heard mixed reviews about when they first opened but i think they have really improved since then. They make all of their sauces from scratch daily and it’s really a family business from what I can see.

Jesse
Jesse
15 years ago

While I can see why some don’t like it, El Tajin is the most authentic of Capitol Hills Mexican haunts.. and the only East Coast mexican I can think of in the city (Vera Cruz region).

To No Mex In Seattle: La Carta de Oaxaca, La Carta de Oaxaca, La Carta de Oaxaca

Meg
Meg
15 years ago

LA CARTA IN BALLARD! I have to agree with the mexican who posted above. Worth the trip. trust me.

hilltop chick
hilltop chick
15 years ago

Indeed. Good Mexican food is worth the travel.

And I would add the taco truck at the gas station on Rainier — Taqueria Los Potrillos. You can actually taste all the deliciousness, as opposed to so many other places that dump tons of salt in their stuff.

scharrera
scharrera
15 years ago

I have refused to go to La Carta for many years now due to the yuppie east-siders who always seem to be standing outside while I look for parking to go to the Sunset. However, as Coloradan, I really do miss good mexican food. Dilemma.

Finish Tag
Finish Tag
15 years ago

it’s much more chill on a tuesday, wednesday, or even thursday if you are early enough.

I also like Tenoch on Washington between pioneer square and the ID.