Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant - Houston

Guadalajara Hacienda

Genre: Mexican
Address: 9799 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas
Phone: 713-461-5300
Price: $$ Moderate Website http://www.guadalajarahacienda.com/index.html
Menu


Comments:

So far  I've been twice and each time there was a pretty good wait considering that weren't terribly busy. The first time I went I was rather satisfied with the ceviche, it was cold as expected and came pretty rapidily.

The second time I went was was a different story, we waited a little longer both to get a table and then to order, and then to actually get our food.  To make matters worse our food was just luke warm to cold.  If the food wasn't anything less than hot then I probably could have lived with it.

It's a big place on the inside with a lot of seating and some neat decor.  If you are looking for real Mexican food, keep looking, this is American all of the way

It is also a little pricey for Mexican food, granted I wasn't expecting to pay TACO BELL prices, but it's Mexican food, not a porterhouse steak.  (Don't let anyone fool you into believing that there is such a thing as gourmet Mexican food, it's an oxymoron).   

If You Go:

Be prepared to wait, even if the place doesn't look busy and there is plenty of seating; they are going to be understaffed.  This place is best suited for a small company diner and drinks.  There is plenty of parking and the parking lot is patrolled

Overall:

With so many choices for Mexican food in the Houston area, I probably won't be back

Taste Cafe and Marketplace
Address:
5164 N. College Ave.Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone:
317)925-CAFE(2233)
Price:
$$
Type:
American/European
Overall Rating:
8.5/10
Web Site:
http://www.tastecafeandmarketplace.com/index.html

Comments:
Taste as a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The coffee is excellent as well as the food. It is hard to find a place that makes coffee that actually tastes "GOOD"!!.
As far as the food, as of yet I have only tried the mushroom and tomato omelet, but it was delicious. It comes with some very tasty fried potatoes, not hash browns, and not your un of the mill skillet potatoes, but well seasoned potatoes and a biscuit (jelly is available upon request)
If You Go:
Some times parking is a little tough, but not too bad. You order and pay at the counter for your food. If you order coffee, it is self serve when you place your order. The staff will bring your food to your table when it is ready. The service is quick, and the staff if very friendly.
Overall:
Very nice overall. It is something different, not your everyday food joint, and most definitely not a chain restaurant. If you have eaten at Cafe Patachou and like the food, then try Taste Cafe and Marketplace; the food is better, the service is good, and the price/quantity is far superior. Taste Cafe is truly a hidden gem among Indy/Broad Ripple's eating establishments and one well worth checking out.

Cafe Patachou - Broad Ripple

Cafe Patachou
Address:
4911 North Pennsylvania Street. Indianapolis, IN
Phone:
, (317) 925-2823
Price:
$$$ (Considering it is breakfast food)
Type:
American/Some European
Overall Rating:
5/10
Web Site:
http://www.cafepatachou.com/index.htm
Comments:
Cafe Patachou (Penn St) has excellent tasting food and the atmosphere is very nice it tends to feel a little bit retro. Service is excellent the wait staff is very accurate, polite, and always hell bent for election in trying to get your food to you. If you are wanting a full breakfast menu skip Patachou. If you are looking for something that is not your typical breakfast fare, then Patachou fits the bill.
If You Go:
Make sure you are there in time for brunch. Patachou closes early in the afternoon. Be prepared to wait. For some reason there is always a crowd. Also either be prepared to shell out some serious dough for breakfast or be prepared to eat again as soon as you walk out the door because you will probably go away hungry. At $7.25 for an omelet, one would expect something larger than a 1 egg omelet. With your omelet you get some toast, everything else is extra..
Overall:
Although the food is good, it is very expensive for what you get. For example a cup of coffee costs more than the overpriced coffee at Starbucks. I say save your money and take a trip to Chicago's Ann Sathers. Then menu is much more expansive, the food is great tasting, and you won't walk away feeling like you have been cheated.

Marcos - Broad Ripple

Marco's Restaurant and Lounge

Address: 2380 E 54th St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
Phone: 317-251-7000
Price: SS
Type: American
Overall Rating: 7/10
Web Site:


Comments:

Marcos has great food and nice atmosphere. It is a little off of the beaten path on the southwest side of Broad Ripple. Marco's is a charmer in a way in that you don't expect the upscale dining considering its location. Recently they added an outdoor patio and so far it is has been pretty popular especially after work. Food is tends to be American with a touch of Italian.
Portions tend to be generous.

If You Go:

If you go during nice weather, ask to sit outside. If you go during colder weather be prepared to wait @ the bar even if you have reservations because the place is really happening especially Friday and Saturday night.b

Overall:

Overall I give the it is a great place to eat, you will walk away feeling full. Although it is somewhat pricy for some, it is not bad considering the quality of food and given its popularity especially among locals.

Abuelos Mexican Restaurant - Indianapolis/Carmel

Abuelos
Address:
14480 Lowes Way, Carmel IN
Phone:
317-815-8175
Price:
$$
Type:
Supposed to Mexican
Overall Rating:
4/10
Web Site:
http://www.abuelos.com

Comments:
I am not sure how this place has survived as chain, because the food is ok, but is not great. It is not even close to being authentic Mexican as it claims, and for the amount of food you get is kind of pricy. Mexican food by nature usually is not pricy. A sure sign that a place is not authentic Mexican is when you don't see any latinos working or eating there. The menu doesn't even include tacos. Ice tea there runs almost $2. Dinner for two with no appetizers or alcoholic beverages was about $38The one thing Abuelo's has going for it is its decor. The decor is quite different from most anything I have seen from a chain. The decor lends itself to post Spanish Guadalajara.
If You Go:
Go for a company lunch when some else is picking up "la cuenta"
Overall:
I didn't feel cheated but I would feel heart broken if I didn't go again. Unless you get some dish with seafood, Mexican food should not cost more than $10 per person, if it does you are not getting the good stuff.

Ann Sathers - Chicago

Ann Sathers

Address: 5207 N. Clark Chicago, IL 60640 (Andersonville)
Phone: (773) 271-6677

Price: $$
Type: Euro-Swiss and American
Overall Rating: 8/10
Web Site: http://annsather.com/restaurants/locations.shtml


Comments:

Ann Sather sets in the heart of Andersonvile in Chicago. The food is excellent, reasonably priced, and you get generous portions. Omelets run in the $6 to $8 range and include two sides such as biscuits and gravy, cinnamon roll (AWESOME), fruit plate, toast, or the like.

If You Go:

As with most places in the City of Chicago, parking is tight. Be prepared to park a good distance a way on a side street and walk. For sure have the cinnamon roll as your side, they are huge and they are yummy.

Overall:

Ann Sather is one of the better breakfast places in Chicago, it is very popular among the locals and the neighborhood is very ethnically and culturally diverse.

Cafe BaBaReeba - Chicago

Cafe BaBaReeba
Address:
2024 N Halsted Chicago, IL 60614
Phone:
773-935-5000
Price:
$$ Moderate
Type:
Spanish (Tapas)
Overall Rating:
8/10
Web Site:
http://www.cafebabareeba.com/
Comments:
Cafe BabaReeba is know for it's tapas. tapas are the Spanish equivalent of appetizers. Don't confuse tapas with Mexican food, because they are not, it is true Spanish traditional food. There is a little something for everyone from fish, chicken, seafood, steak, and vegetable tapas, and even hot and cold tapas. The price is a shock, it is very reasonable, especially for the trendy area of Chicago it is located in. A couple of two can easily eat for $15 to $25 depending on what you order. But don't go there just for the food. You have to have a pitcher of their homemade sangria ($17).
If You Go:
Expect to wait. Not only is the food excellent, it is a very happening social scene. Belly up to the bar or more likely try and find a corner and get the bartender's attention and ask for a pitcher of Sangria while you wait to be seated.You can get off at the Brown Line train stops not to far from there so it is pretty much accessible for visitors who don't have cars. If you do drive either be prepared to shell out valet money ($8 to $10) range or walk a Kentucky mile. The busiest hours seem to be from about 7:00 to 9:00. Arriving around 10:00 pm usually gets you in at the end of the busy time.
Overall:
For the money it is some of the best priced and best tasting. Because of the parking, I wouldn't give it a 10.