Two New Restaurants

We are going to try Guaca Mole tonight for the first time. We'll see how that is. I have heard all good things.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Just don't expect to see what you normally see on your normal Louisville Mexican restaurant menus. The menu here is much more authentic and every item we've tried is outstanding. Hope you have a good time and eat some great food.

[Robin Garr]

Yeah the Mexican food in this town leaves a lot to be desired.

I have to ask, Doug, if you're separating out, or just haven't had a chance to try, any of the "real" taquerias on Preston or in Clarksville, etc.

I think you'll like Guaca-Mole, but again, look for creative chef work (from a Cuban-born chef) rather than Mexican authenticity.

Yeah the Mexican food in this town leaves a lot to be desired.

I have to ask, Doug, if you're separating out, or just haven't had a chance to try, any of the "real" taquerias on Preston or in Clarksville, etc.

Give me a list! I will start making my way through.
Just giving my opinion on what I have eaten to far in Louisville.


(I generally stay on the KY side of the river though.)

The only Senor Iguana's that I have been too is the 3rd at Central one. I can select certain dishes that are good, some that aren't so good, and some that are hit or miss. If I had to pick a Tex-Mex restaurant in town, they are close to the top of the undistinguished list. One advantage that they have now is that they finally, FINALLY offer black beans as an option for refried beans (may they be banished forever). For me, that's a huge step up. The biggest gripe is that it's never spicy enough.

There are some decent taquerias around, which are okay if that is what you want. Santa Fe grill is my go to, but their Tex Mex offerings are only so-so. The tamales are good though.

Another is Ramiros' Cantina. I've been once. I got tamales. They were the best in town. Further research is called for, but if I'm out that way, I usually find myself at Varanese before I can blink.

With their accolades, I should give El Mundo another shot after a poor experience years ago.

Now, Guaca-Mole. This place has some really tasty grub. Seriously, everything is good. But strangely, it misses my tex-mex/mexican spot. I like my tex-mex to be spicy. And like most every place around here, it's not spicy. They do have black beans, but they are refried/pureed! So, that's two strikes! But the food is good. And I go. But the high-end tex-mex/mexican itch is still there.

Seviche partially fills the gap. Best fish tacos ever. Ask for the jalapeno rojo on the side so you can add the heat! And something awesome can always be found on the list of ceviches.

EDIT: Restaurant name corrected to Ramiros' Cantina.

So went to Guaca-Mole tonight.
Food was good. I got the guac for my daughter, and I had the roasted corn on the cob and the short rib enchiladas. The guac had some spice to it, which was nice. There are definitely a few other dishes on the menu I'd like to come back and try at some point.

Service was lacking though. They used food runners, which if done properly can be good. But when they show up at the table and have no idea who ordered what, and no one at the table knows the spanish names for the dishes? Its a problem.

And my biggest pet peeve, I should never ever have to ask for refills on tea or water unless the restaurant is jam packed. I definitely shouldnt have to do so repeatedly on a medium busy night. Drives me nuts.

But the food was good.

Personally I want to see Robin's list of recommended taquerias. I googled the one Steve H mentioned called "Ramirez Grill" but google turned up nothing. Also Im holding out great hopes for the Mexican place that is supposed to go into the old Avalon if they ever get the build out finished sometime this year.

[Robin Garr]

Give me a list! I will start making my way through.

Try La Tapatia on Preston just past Blue Lick, or Rosticeria Luna on Preston just south of Gilmore Lane, for starters. Or closer in to town, Santa Fe Cafe on South Third at Heywood (across the side street from that yellow-brick Holy Name Church), where a lot of the Latino horse crews from Churchill Downs hang out.

Yeah the Mexican food in this town leaves a lot to be desired.

I have to ask, Doug, if you're separating out, or just haven't had a chance to try, any of the "real" taquerias on Preston or in Clarksville, etc.

I think you'll like Guaca-Mole, but again, look for creative chef work (from a Cuban-born chef) rather than Mexican authenticity.

I was going to ask the same. There are some great hole in the wall places with authentic Mexican tacqueria food. Our current fave for tacos is off New LaGrange road by Champs and Brandon's BBQ. In between the Mexican grocery and the Tortilla factory ( must get take-out fresh corn tortillas while you are there- they are less than $1.50 a dozen.)
Deb

I googled the one Steve H mentioned called "Ramirez Grill" but google turned up nothing.

Appologies. I meant Ramiros' Cantina. Must've had a serious brain fart.

Thanks, Steve. Hadn't heard of this place- we'll have to go try it out.

[Robin Garr]

Thanks, Steve. Hadn't heard of this place- we'll have to go try it out.

For the record, Ramiro's is son of Sol Aztecas (on Frankfort) which is cousin of the Los Aztecas mini-chain. The Aztecas chains came, I think, from an authentic Mexican-American guy, Saul Garcia. I like them, and I also recognize them as Mexican "simplified" for Anglo tastes, but where you'll see some Latinos eating, too. If Doug doesn't like the other similar spots, I doubt he'll be whelmed by Ramiro's, but I might be wrong, and would encourage him to try it.

I still say if you want "authentic" Mexican in Louisville, though, you need to go to the taquerias where you pretty much have to either order in Spanish or point. I've named Tapatia and Luna on Preston, but there are a bunch more around town. They're just a little harder to find.

Thanks, Steve. Hadn't heard of this place- we'll have to go try it out.

For the record, Ramiro's is son of Sol Aztecas (on Frankfort) which is cousin of the Los Aztecas mini-chain. The Aztecas chains came, I think, from an authentic Mexican-American guy, Saul Garcia. I like them, and I also recognize them as Mexican "simplified" for Anglo tastes, but where you'll see some Latinos eating, too. If Doug doesn't like the other similar spots, I doubt he'll be whelmed by Ramiro's, but I might be wrong, and would encourage him to try it.

I still say if you want "authentic" Mexican in Louisville, though, you need to go to the taquerias where you pretty much have to either order in Spanish or point. I've named Tapatia and Luna on Preston, but there are a bunch more around town. They're just a little harder to find.

I might not go so far as to call Ramiro's authentic, but it is definitely a step above of any Aztecas, El Nopal, etc. It really is! They are smoking briskets out back, they have actual green lettuce and red tomatoes, 3 different kinds of beans to choose from and a much better menu than those other tex mex spots.

Thanks, Steve. Hadn't heard of this place- we'll have to go try it out.

For the record, Ramiro's is son of Sol Aztecas (on Frankfort) which is cousin of the Los Aztecas mini-chain. The Aztecas chains came, I think, from an authentic Mexican-American guy, Saul Garcia. I like them, and I also recognize them as Mexican "simplified" for Anglo tastes, but where you'll see some Latinos eating, too. If Doug doesn't like the other similar spots, I doubt he'll be whelmed by Ramiro's, but I might be wrong, and would encourage him to try it.

I still say if you want "authentic" Mexican in Louisville, though, you need to go to the taquerias where you pretty much have to either order in Spanish or point. I've named Tapatia and Luna on Preston, but there are a bunch more around town. They're just a little harder to find.

Yeah Ramiro's looks like more of the same as you said. I will be trying all three of the places you mentioned this week/weekend.

There was a hole in the wall looking place that looked good, and was connected to a gas station in that same area of town called El Torito de Jalisco but it appears to have closed. I will try the ones on your list.

[Robin Garr]

I might not go so far as to call Ramiro's authentic, but it is definitely a step above of any Aztecas, El Nopal, etc. It really is! They are smoking briskets out back, they have actual green lettuce and red tomatoes, 3 different kinds of beans to choose from and a much better menu than those other tex mex spots.

Point noted, Heather, and looking back, I see that I gave it a pretty favorable review last November. http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/ramir ... xican-chow

I did have one little cautionary note at the time ...

The menu isn’t exactly the same as Sol Aztecas, or for that matter Los Aztecas, or El Nopal or El Tarasco or any of the other Mexican-owned, Anglo-friendly Mexican (not “Tex-Mex”) mini-chains around town, but they all contain similar, familiar dishes — tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas and the other usual suspects — at family-friendly prices. Only one or two items (like a $16.99 strip steak, a one-pounder) come in at more than $15, and a lot of filling choices are under $10. Full bar service includes short wine and beer lists plus margaritas, daiquiris and mixed drinks made with Herradura tequila, olé!

The bottom line is the food, though, and there it’s a mixed bag that tilts to the positive. Our main courses and a dessert were splendid, but side dishes seemed a bit “meh,” leading me to wonder if there’s a solid chef in the kitchen without a strong bench for backup.

But it's been nine months, so maybe they've kicked things up a bit. It's fairly close to home for me, and I would love for it to be a regular stop on my rotation.

A friend of mine ordered the beef tacos from the Senor Igaunas in Dupont. I watched while he ate. Everytime he lifted the taco shell up to take a bite, orange liquid dripped all over his plate. We were not sure if it was grease from the ground beef which was not drained properly or if it was some type of "dressing". Nevertheless, my friend didn't like it and couldn't finish it.

Derby City Roadhouse - Mid-City Mall - Bardstown Rd. (Burgers - Pubfood)...Says "Coming Soon".

Steve, Apparently after a couple of changes in concept this ultimately opened as Christopher's, see recent topic about it.