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La Casita Chilanga 2 (Mexican cuisine)  $

 8.5
JaT Rating

761 EL Camino Real, Redwood City, 94053  (Directions)


650.364.2808


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Mexico City recipes, homemade tortillas, rock music, hot salsa, and tortas


Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1020
Reviewed: 7/6/2006
Rating: 8.5
My photo gallery 		Trying to improve our jatbar coverage on the Peninsula, I headed off to La Casita Chilanga 2 in Redwood City. Of my hundreds of restaurant visits I would have to say this particular strip of shops was the most unique. You have a Hawaiian restaurant, dive bar, lingerie shop, adult bookstore, and finally La Casita Chilanga. The only thing missing for this power combo of shops was a gun or pawn shop.

Parking can be limited on El Camino Real but I found parking in the front of the dive bar. I slowly strolled passed the adult bookstore, x marks the spot.

I walked into an empty Casita Chilanga and immediately thought to myself, what's with the red and white checkered tablecloths? This place looks more like an italian restaurant than anything and definitely not a run-down taqueria joint. The waitress seated me down and with menu in hand, I started to browse. The menu is quite different as you won't find burritos, crispy tacos, or enchiladas. The items on the menu look very similar to the ones at Metro Balderas in San Jose. Vendor street type foods originating from Mexico City region. I am told the things to try are the Tortas, Gorditas, or tacos. I ordered a Gorditas, Carne Asada Taco, and Jarritos (picture #5).

Right after I ordered, Chips and salsa were dropped off, loud mexican rock music started to blare, and droves of people started to pour in. About 2 minutes earlier, I was the lone diner in a quiet restaurant setting. The decor is amusing and unique with rock star influences and numerous photos of famous people. Who knew Pancho Villa was an importer of fine herbs (picture #4)?

Chips and Salsa - the chips are the real deal yo! Homemade tortillas chips with a blazing red hot salsa. (picture #6). Super good.

Carne Asada taco - tortilla is much larger than other taqueria joints and 1 tortilla compared to the 2 tortillas. These tortillas are made fresh. Not too much cilantro (thank you!!!), onions, rojo salsa, and grilled skirt steak. Juicy but also very greasy, meat had light seasoning and some gristle. Squirt a tiny bit of lime and it's one damm tasty taco.

Gordita - this is my 2nd gordita this year with my 1st one at Rubys Taqueria in Sunnyvale. I've never had anything like this one but try to imagine a 2 thick corn tortillas stuffed with fried pork, white crumbly cheese, onions, cilantro, and possibly another ingredient thats slipping my memory. The tortilla was thick enough to be bread, you don't see this type of tortilla often. Call it a mexican burger, call it a Unidentified Fried Object. The pork texture was odd as it wasn't thick chunks of meat but kinda minced up with crunchy pieces in it. The gorditas is greasy so it's not for a weak stomach. Overall I thought it was an interesting dish and would order it again.

Loud music, hot salsa, bob marley smoking Acapulco gold, long haired leather jacket wearing patrons, homemade tortillas are just some of the things to describe this unique mexican restaurant. I wouldn't doubt the press vinyl records in the backroom. Tired of burritos and want to try something new? The bread for the tortas is made in house and you'll marvel at the portion size. The gorditas is nothing like the souless ones you get at Taco Bell. I look forward to coming back as La Casita Chilanga rocks my boat.
 
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