Guest RevImmigrant Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 I decided to have lunch at El Sarape today. Two words can sum up the meal: bland and dry. I had the tortilla soup for an appetizer. It was very bland and the tortillas were not all cut through. For an entree I had beef enchiladas, which were served with beans and rice. The rice was very dry; the melted cheese on the beans was slightly burned and the beans were dry. The beef enchiladas were filled with shredded beef, which was very dry, and the sauce was very bland. Obviously I won't go back. I had a bottle of water to drink, which, to the owner's credit, was served with a glass filled with ice since I had asked for water very cold. The bill was $105 pesos. I would have had a better lunch if I had stayed home and put Tabasco sauce over some of Klein Max' dry food. It might have been somewhat dry, but at least it wouldn't have been bland.
HelperGuy Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 They make a killer albondiga soup; the rest: meh. And that's a lot to pay for lunch.
jkgourmet Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 They make a killer albondiga soup; the rest: meh. And that's a lot to pay for lunch. 100% agree about thar albondigas souo. When they have it, the chicken soup is also good, wuth rice and vegies. Im also overly fond of the pork shank, which they don't always have. Call ahead. Good strong margarita's. Ive always found dinner better than lunch, no matter what order.
gracie Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 Funny, we just had dinner there tonight, after an absence of a couple of years. Great ribs, chicken was good, service was great, and the price was fantastic. We'll be back.
Guest RevImmigrant Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 This just shows how much people's tastes vary. I'm from Dallas originally and lived in San Antonio for a couple of years so I know what good Tex-Mex is and what I had definitely wasn't it. Bland? No way. I once had some chili in San Antonio when I was about 6 years old that was so hot I couldn't eat it and now I practically inhale Tabasco sauce, along with the Asian hot sauces.
Atlas Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 We've never had bland or dry food at El Sarape. It's one of our favorite places; good food, nice people, and reasonable prices. When I want more heat I request salsa picante.
losgatos Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 As we eat at El serape every week or two and have for a number of years our experience is that this is a fun restaurant with an excellent menu, consistently friendly service and enjoyable food. Their specials, the chamoro and the ribs (not always available), are exceptional and as reported elsewhere on the "best hamburger" thread, El Serape's bacon cheeseburger is outstanding.The margaritas are our favorites at Lakeside. And prices are a bargain compared to most of our other favorite eateries. Definitely a restaurant that we will continue to patronize as do a number of our friends.
bournemouth Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 Count us in as El Sarape fans - always a pleasant place to eat and we never have a complaint about the food - sorry that RevI did not enjoy herself there - but different courses for different horses. Luckily we don't all like the same things.
adafromhavana Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 We love eating at El Sarape. We go at least once a week. Never had a bad meal.We also like going there because we see lots of friends that also go every week. Have been a happy customer for about 14 years.
Atlas Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 The longevity of El Sarape is clear evidence of its popularity.
Atlas Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 They make a killer albondiga soup; the rest: meh. And that's a lot to pay for lunch. Her choice, she had two entrees.
Jeanneb2000 Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 I've always had a good meal at El Sarape. Their rice is wonderful, beans so-so. So I order my meal with no beans and extra rice. No problem.
HelperGuy Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 Her choice, she had two entrees. No, I meant for me the rest of their menu is meh. (Oh, were you talking about price?) But I can't agree that longevity necessarily means popularity. There are some places here that barely eke out an existence, but have been here for years, and I always wonder why they don't attract more customers. Tio Domingo is one: his food is fine, but he is rarely busy except on special menu days; Armando's Hideway: sometimes no one there at all, often just a table or two for the whole night, again except on special days. Of course, both restaurants are home to the owners, so overhead is kept at a minimum. The original Posada, Ruben's has to keep moving, as does Giovanni's, Senor Sushi, Caroli's, Fito's, arguably Los Telares, ... Meanwhile, sometimes otherwise dandy restaurants come and go so fast, I have no idea what the secret is.
RVGRINGO Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 Those restaurants that are owned are not held hostage by landlords, who just keep raising the rent until they drive the restaurant out of business. Of course, they always hope for a new tenant with bigger bucks, but it seldom happens. So, some good restaurants have departed for that reason, even when the economy was better.
More Liana Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 Those restaurants that are owned are not held hostage by landlords, who just keep raising the rent until they drive the restaurant out of business. Of course, they always hope for a new tenant with bigger bucks, but it seldom happens. So, some good restaurants have departed for that reason, even when the economy was better. That's exactly what happened to the gone-but-not-forgotten José's Illusion. José was smart and signed a long lease--but the minute the lease expired, the landlord tripled the rent and José had to close. I still dream of his salmon special...*sigh*.
Trailrunner Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 I do too, More Liana, I do too! Crusty, perfectly cook Salmon, sprinkled with capers, on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes. . .what is not to love about that. Had a conversation with his brother the other day, he said Jose would really like to open a restaurant again but is reluctant due to the ummm, 'extra tax' many restaurants are now having to pay. Our loss.
MtnMama Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 It is good that there are so many different restaurants. I am from Colorado and avoid "Tex-Mex" restaurants because I don't like greasy cheese and dull spices. I went to El Sarape with a friend and got chicken something??? It was covered with nasty, greasy cheese and tasted awful. I took most of it home to husband who eats anything, and he tried to feed it to dogs. As I said, different tastes.
gringal Posted March 1, 2012 Report Posted March 1, 2012 I miss Jose's, too. I don't think longevity equals quality, either. There are a few places I could name, but will forego doing so: food (with no redeeming qualities) that would suit a truck stop in Barstow..............but they've been there before we arrived and are still in business.
Mainecoons Posted March 2, 2012 Report Posted March 2, 2012 I grew up in the southwest and lived all but 17 years there. I know and love good Tex Mex. Sorry but El Serape does not serve good Tex Mex. Went once, that sufficed.
bradshoe Posted March 2, 2012 Report Posted March 2, 2012 If not El Serape then where? I'd love a sloppy, cheesy beef burrito with green chili, sour cream and guacamole just about now.
Trailrunner Posted March 2, 2012 Report Posted March 2, 2012 Zapato, what about Super Burrito? Up the hill in Ajijic, above Pemex mas o menos.
Guest RevImmigrant Posted March 2, 2012 Report Posted March 2, 2012 Atlas, I did NOT have 2 entrees; I had a bowl of soup and one entree. Had the food been good, the price would have been OK too. Mainecoons, thank you for your comments. I know you're from Texas too. I wonder where some of these other folks are from.
bradshoe Posted March 2, 2012 Report Posted March 2, 2012 TR, thanks. Heard of it but we've never been there - we'll give it a try soon.
kindred Posted March 2, 2012 Report Posted March 2, 2012 Those of you hankerin' for good salmon should go to the "sister restaurant" (just kiddin') in Chapala -- an old staple called Jose's Place which is a fonda on the right hand side breezeway next to the central mercado. Altho no capers, he does an amazing salmon for something like 80 or 90 pesos and big enuf for two meals... '
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