Quest for Good Mexican Food

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Permalink Reply by Karen Sutton on April 18, 2008 at 8:25pm

My favorite place is Adobo Grill. I love it so much I had my wedding reception there. However, that being siad, it is not traditional mexican fare. Thier guacamole was voted best in Indy though!

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Ball on April 18, 2008 at 8:38pm

I've eaten at Adobo (someone else paid) and I agree that they do have some of the best restaurant guacamole in the city. I just have a thing about supporting local whenever I can and they are a chain.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Garber on April 28, 2008 at 11:03am

I love La Parada on E. New York Street and Mexican In (<-- yep, how they spell it) on E. Michigan Street. Both are authentic holes in the wall.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Ball on April 28, 2008 at 11:19am

Great! thanks! I may try one of them tonight.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Garber on April 28, 2008 at 11:50am

I would be hard pressed to pick one over the other food-wise. They're both good. La Parada is much smaller, however, and the seating is a little tight, and music can be loud, so if you're going with a group of four or more you might want to try Mexican In first.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Mourer on April 28, 2008 at 4:18pm

My absolute favorite is El Meson. There are two in town...one is on Michigan Rd. just north of 86th Street and the other is in Greenwood on the corner of County Line Rd. and Emerson Ave. in the same plaza as Kroger. The one on the North side is in a much cooler building, but the food is good at both. I also used to love El Azabache, which is on the South side in Southern Plaza, but I haven't eaten there in years so I'm not sure if it's still good. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Ball on April 28, 2008 at 4:40pm

I'll have to look for the northside one since I live in the area. I'd go there tonight but we're going to be downtown for a RAMP meeting and will be closer to the one's Mike mentioned. But this is what I am looking for. Cause I don't want to go to Taco Bell!


RAMP, by the way, is an art event/project through Smaller Indiana - you should check it out in the Art & Commerce group.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Ball on April 28, 2008 at 9:15pm

Thanks to Mike Garber for the recommendation of La Parada. We ate there tonight and had an absolutely wonderful meal. Although I am a foodie, I am not a food critic so my description may be a bit lacking - but trust me, it's worth the visit. We started with the usual chips and salsa. La Parada's salsa is very good and obviously homemade. It is made with nice chunks of tomatoes, garlic, jalapeno, onion, lime juice and cilantro. Not too spicy but a pleasant kick. I had a steak and enchillada combo - I go for combos at new places 'cause I get to try a couple of things. The flank steak was marinated, pan grilled and served covered in grilled onions. I don't know what is in the marinade but I liked it (this is the lacking part of my description). As this is what I would call authentic Mexican, don't expect the meat to be melt in your mouth tender. But it's not shoe leather either. It comes with a small enchillada - also pan fried I think - it was covered in salad. Sides were fresh home made guacamole (Yum!), rice and beans. My wife had shrimp in a garlic butter sauce. The 10 to 12 shrimp were lightly battered and fried in their skin (in other words, peel your own). Sides were the same yummy fresh guacamole, rice and salad. I think La Parada specializes in seafood as they have an entire page in their menu of different seafood items. The next time I go, I'm going to try the fish soup. A neighboring table had it. The large bowls were overflowing with shrimp, oysters, fish and other seafood. Great recommendation, Mike!

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Ball on April 28, 2008 at 9:47pm

I agree that the food was exceptional but a word of caution to the novice Mexican foodie. Do not let the appearance of the building dissuade you. To say that the exterior of the building looked like a dive would be an overstatement. The simple tables add to that impression. But from the moment our waitress greeted us warmly I felt completely at home.

The salsa was good but not the best I've had. My personal favorite is the homemade salsa at La Piedad in Broad Ripple. The guacamole was the best I've ever tasted (my apologies Andy - yours is a close 2nd). The large chunks of green onion gave it an extraordinary flavor all its own.

I'm always hesitant to order shrimp when I'm hungry. I'm usually disappointed when the plate contains only a few small shrimp. Not so at La Parada! The larger portion, reasonably priced, was more than filling! And wonderfully tasty too!

Would I go back??? You bet! Even from the north side, it is worth the drive.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Garber on April 29, 2008 at 10:41am

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I work downtown so I alternate between the two for lunch. The owners and servers at both places are so kind to allow me to practice my very limited spanish with them.

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Permalink Reply by Travis A. Moser on April 30, 2008 at 7:35pm

I'd suggest that you try Taqueria Los Comales at 3920 North High School Road (near 38th St and the West side of 465). It's more fast-food than sit-down restaurant, but it would definitely pass the chowhound authenticity test (you don't get chips and salsa, you can order a brain sandwich if you so desire, and you probably won't see another English native speaker in the joint). It's a great lunch spot. I'd recommend their torta milanesa. Although it's a chain, it's just regional (mostly in IL with one location in WI).

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Permalink Reply by Nikki Lewallen on May 1, 2008 at 5:23am

Andy- Bruce and I are always on this venture as well. We like La Margarita and El Rodeo here in Indy. Bruce says we should hit up some places on west Washington St sometime.

Here is one thing I will highly recommend....Bruce and I went to a Hispanic market a couple weeks ago, absolutely amazing! You have to check it out. It is at 32nd and Shadeland. After going there, we had the best mexican food in Indy at our place. You'll love it, let me know what you think.

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