Matters of Taste
It certainly may not be often that this column is dragged out again. However, from time to time, when SD and I go to eat somewhere new ... you'll read about it ... (that is, if I remember to write about it ... ehh). And yes, certainly there are other local food blogs that go wayyy more in depth about places here than we will ever go ... so you know where to find those
Okay, so our disappointment with the complete fade of Domino's from the landscape here continues ... but that's an aside. In the old D's complex in Kaneohe now is an authentic family style, or is it family run, Mexican sit-down called El Mariachi
We went in a group with SD's family plus one. It seems to be doing well for a newer place, we heard that it may have opened in late summer last year. But I suppose you want to know, is it good?
When we were waiting outside for about 20 minutes or so because all the seats were taken, I had commented that there are lots of Jalisco style restaurants here ... and a handful of other styles including Tex-Mex, interpretations of Mex, etc. El M is Guadalajara style.
I suppose that for most people that would just be a name of a style, and it wouldn't really mean anything especially to people here ... whose expectations are shaped by "runs to the border". Even for me, having some experience with the california and texas style of mexican ... I am still way more concerned about is it good or not
And yeah, it is good. SD had a steak quesadilla plate, which she ate almost all of ... which is an indication of some sort. SD's parents ate versions of sope, on recommendation of their guest. That kind of looked kind of taco salad-ish, sans a "bowl". I had the chili verde with red sauce, which was a bit different in taste, than the typical green sauce ... but that was good as well
Okay, so here's the thing that I have noticed about the closer to authentic Mex places. If you eat primarily at the border or at other interpretations of M, you may find that the "real stuff" may be somewhat bland or unfamiliar tasting (herb-y or natural flavored) ... this is really not so much a bad thing, but it does open your eyes to how much salt and other flavoring crap goes into other M food
At the end of the day, it was good ... portions fill an entire paper plate, if quantity is of concern, and prices are about the same as other M sit-downs.