Zapata's Mexican

I was zooming through Middletown this morning and had to do a u-turn to check out the former Mazzoni's in that odd little enclave where Pig City BBQ lives. There was a small sign in the window that on first glance looked like the logo of Tacos Toreados...was our Juan now a CHAIN?? Sign in the window says Zapata's Authentic Mexican coming soon. Anyone know any details?

[Robin Garr]

I was zooming through Middletown this morning and had to do a u-turn to check out the former Mazzoni's in that odd little enclave where Pig City BBQ lives. There was a small sign in the window that on first glance looked like the logo of Tacos Toreados...was our Juan now a CHAIN?? Sign in the window says Zapata's Authentic Mexican coming soon. Anyone know any details?

Isn't Juan also a graphic artist, and didn't he do the menus and signs for My Patria? Maybe this is another job of that type. Still, if there's a Juan connection, I'm willing to try the place!

Ahhh, I forgot he was a graphic artist too. I'll keep an eye on the place and report back...I may drop him a note on Facebook...just to see...

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/ ... 0/ARCHIVES

We have driven by several times since they opened and they've been quite crowded. Has anyone tried it yet?

We have driven by several times since they opened and they've been quite crowded. Has anyone tried it yet?

I plan on going tonight.

Report please! I checked with Juan, this is not his signage but I did catch the scoop in the CJ on Saturday, the place looks intriguing. Would love to see a scanned menu if you can snare one Justin...

Yes we ate there last evening, different from all the other local mexican chains. More upscale with the dishes and presentation, also more pricey. My boyfriend had some type of rib dish, it was nice and tender but too bland for my tastes. I had (sorry can't remember the name) Chicken, rolled in bacon with a mango sauce. It was very good but I was surprised to see a hot dog that my chicken was wrapped around, the favor was great. Their salsa was different, they brought two kinds, one was greenish and had a tart taste, maybe a hint of lime? The other was their hot but we had them make us some that was hotter. From what I could see decor was cute and colorful but we were seated in an alcove right by the front so didn't get to see much of the place. People there were dressed more formally (Mexican Style) and very nice. I think the prices were approximately from around $9.00 to $15.00. I know my dish was $14.99.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7629

I might have to wait for Mexican on Tuesday. Wings sound pretty good.

[Robin Garr]

courier-journal.com

It's worth noting for the record that this is a publicity piece in the CJ's restaurant news-release section, apparently given to a clerk in a phone interview with the owner. I'd be a little suspicious of the food descriptions under the circumstances.

I went tonight alone as my family never goes blind to a new place. I was nicely suprised. The salsas were very differnt from what I have tasted in town, spicy but not fiery with a cilantro tang and not much tomato,the green sauce was filled with chopped serano peppers, I think. I ordered the whole fried fish( too many letters to remember) which the server described as a type of catfish. Texture of catfish, but more shaped like a jack or snapper. Head on Body diagonally sliced to the bone and fried then coated with a citrus barbacoa souce that was very tasty. Served with rice and some steamed vegetables (corn, peas and broccoli) lettuce. crema, some orange slices and tortillas. Priced at Market (18.99) so not the most economical choice, but delicious. Other entrees passing by picqued my interest and promises a return visit. No Iced Tea!! Usual suspects on tap some bottled selections. Bottled mexican fruit drinks also availible. Nice diversion from Pig City, which is struggling but working hard. Obviously outside the ring of most posters but worth a trip for something very different.

OK, so the name is actually Zapata's Corner. This is worth a trip. I can't begin to describe the tables and chairs, all hand painted and all different. We sat at a table that had a painting of a peasant about to hack a Mexican soldier to death from behind with a pitchfork. Most of the other tables were a little tamer in theme. Chips and salsa, only one kind of salsa at lunch, red and cilantro-y and very addictive but not so hot. It took me a loooong time to make my mind up, this isn't your standard Mexican restaurant, and it's not a taqueria, somewhere between the two. I ordered the Carne Apache, which turned out to be an incredibly tasty ground beef seviche, for lack of a better description. Ground beef marinated in lime juice, onions and tomatoes, served with guacamole and tostadas and beans. My friend ate a shrimp salady dish, big plump shrimp in a tomato sauce served over rice and lettuce with grilled veggies, a big plate of food. They were fresh out of take out menus and I really wanted to get one, as this menu will need some serious study. Can't wait to hear other reports, this fills a niche I think we didn't even know we had. Lunch for 2, we ordered off the dinner menu, not the lunch menu, was around $30 with cokes. And they have a breakfast menu! Open at 8 on Sat and Sunday I believe. Service was very friendly and attentive and polite, it is so nice to be treated so nicely. I am wondering if I will be hungry enough to go back at dinner...

finally made it over to Zapata's this Sunday for brunch and I was not disappointed. The place is beautiful, the service excellent, and the food good. We had the "eggs in toast" (can't remember the name), guacamole, salsa, and chorizo empanadas. All were very good and made it to our table fast. The bill was $18. They have changed their hours and do not open until 11:00, but still serve breakfast.

The owner? gave us a small tour of the dining area and explained all the art work that adorns the walls. The entire staff was super friendly and I encourage you to pay them a visit

[Robin Garr]

"eggs in toast" (can't remember the name)

"Dos Sombreros," isn't it? We liked Zapata's, too, and the decor really is amazing. I did notice that about half of the breakfast items seem to be North American breakfasts with Spanish names and beans and rice, but the Huevos con Chorizos was right on, a filling meal indeed.

"eggs in toast" (can't remember the name)

"Dos Sombreros," isn't it? We liked Zapata's, too, and the decor really is amazing. I did notice that about half of the breakfast items seem to be North American breakfasts with Spanish names and beans and rice, but the Huevos con Chorizos was right on, a filling meal indeed.

Maybe, the wife ordered it and I don't remember even seeing the name. The decor is worth the trip on its own. The owner had a story behind every piece of art (all done in Mexico) and even the tables and chairs, which also came from Mexico.

The painting of Pátzcuaro and Lake Pátzcuaro is amazing as is the story about it.

The natives believe it is where the barrier between life and death is the thinnest, and it is the gate to heaven through which gods descend and ascend.