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Author
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Topic: Mexican Food for a Restaurant
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LEXX
Moderator Posts: 6224
From: Still out looking for Schrodinger's cat.......& LEXIGRAMMING.♥.. is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 12, 2009 07:43 PM
  
A friend in Canada is thinking of opening a restaurant featuring Mexican Cuisine.
I am looking for feedback from folks to give her ideas.
Please feel free to tell me what your favorite dishes are, including desserts!
And soups also.
And of course ambiance.
What kind of seating do you prefer?
Lighting?
Any ideas and opinions welcome!
Thanks!------------------
A show of envy is an insult to oneself. ~Yevgeny Alexandrovich Yevtushenko
The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.
~William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693 IP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 206
From:
Registered: May 2009
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posted April 12, 2009 08:32 PM
The key is really awesome fried ice cream. I've had good and I've had bad. This isn't a place to skimp!Also, white corn tortillas are definitely a plus for me, as well as a fantastic salsa recipe. As far as ambience goes... I love a lot of color, which generally goes with the territory. I love Mexican food! Wish her luck! IP: Logged |
26taurus
unregistered
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posted April 12, 2009 08:37 PM
Here are a couple of places from where I used to live in VT. These might give her some great ideas.Ditto what future said. And great guac. My boyfriend and I frequented this place alot. Great food and atmosphere: http://www.candeleros.net/ The Bean http://www.thebeanrestaurant.com/index.html
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AcousticGod
Knowflake Posts: 5327
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 12, 2009 09:38 PM
I love it when there's Mexican music. A good, and typically simple red salsa is a must. I don't think there's anything wrong with regular corn tortillas, and the chips should be freshly made from the same. For food I love tacos al pastor, and a ground beef and bean burrito covered in enchilada sauce and cheese seldom disappoints.IP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 206
From:
Registered: May 2009
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posted April 12, 2009 09:56 PM
I'm so craving Mexican food right about now. I'll probably have to hit it up tomorrow. Bye, bye diet!!!(I don't really diet because I just end up rebelling against myself, but I have been consciously trying to eat more sensibly lately.) Out the window, but that's okay when there's fresh salsa on the horizon.  IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 6224
From: Still out looking for Schrodinger's cat.......& LEXIGRAMMING.♥.. is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 12:14 AM
THANKS EVERYONE! 
IP: Logged |
koiflower
Knowflake Posts: 1984
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 12:52 AM
I worked in a restaurant that served international cuisine. There were some Mexican dishes. I never really enjoyed the enchilada. It was served on rice. It tasted plain.But I LOVED their Deluxe Nacho dish, with salsa to die for. They put stacks of garlic cloves and coriander in their salsa sauce, and cooked the nachos in the deep fryer, and then sprinkled them with sea salt. IP: Logged |
Scorpionic Web
Knowflake Posts: 67
From: Philadelphia
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 03:04 AM
Chile Rellenos!!!!I make these from time to time. I've seen all sorts of Chile Relleno recipes, but here's my slight variation of a Sagittarius ex-girlfriend's recipe: Take several large poblano peppers, cut around the stem on top and pull the stem out (remove seeds if desired). Stuff the pepper with a hot mixture of monterey jack cheese and mashed potatoes and replace the stem to keep the stuffing inside (don't use pepper jack cheese, the poblanos are usually spicy enough!). Place the peppers in a deep pan and cover in a mix of red enchilada sauce and egg (about 3 to 4 eggs to 5 poblanos, depending on pepper size). Cover with aluminum foil, cook at 225 degrees fahrenheit for 60-75 minutes or until poblanos are soft. Chile Relleno dishes are also inexpensive to make, restaurants can do well here with the low cost of poblanos, eggs, etc. Also, I recommend a $1 taco and $1.50 Tecate-in-a-can Happy Hour. Mexican food is great, cheap mexican food is better. IP: Logged |
Thethirdbenjamin
unregistered
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posted April 13, 2009 05:37 AM
hmm..Where??? please tell me its either in Ottawa or Toronto. IP: Logged |
ghanima81
Moderator Posts: 676
From: Maine
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 09:30 AM
This is the type of food I've been craving all pregnancy... There is a chain called "Margarita's" in NE that is pretty darn tasty... Great atmosphere, very colorful, AMAZING fried ice cream... I'm always going to thumbs up a Mexican place!! IP: Logged |
katatonic
Knowflake Posts: 6484
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 11:38 AM
a great chicken mole; good salsa; chipotle sauce is also a must in a good mexican! FRESH chips and tortillas of any kind, preferrably homemade...and i like a variety of guacamoles...but the best mexican meal i ever had was a chicken/avocado sandwich in a POTATO tortilla...that one was in mexico!IP: Logged |
26taurus
unregistered
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posted April 13, 2009 11:44 AM
Ghani,   IP: Logged |
ghanima81
Moderator Posts: 676
From: Maine
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 01:05 PM
Have you been, T? MMmmmmm.... I love their black bean enchiladas. I know there is one in Somersworth (Dover) and one in Portsmouth.. I LOVE the one in the Old Port up in Portland. They had to close for a while becuase of a fire, but are back, baby!! I love cumin and cilantro, hench, my passion for Mexican inspired food!! IP: Logged |
Scorpionic Web
Knowflake Posts: 67
From: Philadelphia
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 01:29 PM
I forgot: Fish Tacos. Many people have cringed at my mention of this combination. But I have to say, when I drove up and down the Quintana Roo coastline, these things were everywhere. I love seafood and I think fish tacos are awesome. I've been to plenty of Mexican restaurants, and surprisingly few offered Fish Tacos, Fajitas Del Mar, etc. Also, I don't care to support "chain stores" but here in the US (perhaps in Canada) there is a spice company that's popping up in many cities called Penzey's Spices. Of the dozen or so chipotle (smoked jalapenos) variations that I've tried, including pastes, powders, and whole peppers, Penzey's "Ground Red Chipotle" is the most similar to the chipotle I sampled while I was in Mexico. The smell, especially, is amazing and takes me right back to southern Quintana Roo. I put it in all sorts of Mexi-type dishes, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes their Mexican food with a spicy kick. IP: Logged |
ghanima81
Moderator Posts: 676
From: Maine
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 03:02 PM
Scorpionic, I am ashamed to say I never tried fish tacos, but when I lived in LA, everyone there absolutely loved them. I was one of the people that wrinkled my nose at the thought, but have heard from most people that they are soooo good. I would have liked to have had them out in southern Cali or Mexico, rather than here in Maine, I don't trust that they would be nearly as tasty as where they are more authentic. I loved that there were carts everywhere in LA that served Mexican fare until about 3 a.m. Nothing sops up a night of cosmos like a Rice and Bean boritto!! ( I'm making myself miss So. Cal... ) IP: Logged |
katatonic
Knowflake Posts: 6484
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 03:28 PM
aah, yesss! fajitas! especially one with giant prawns..but chicken and beef will do thank you!! as long as the onions are well caramellized!!IP: Logged |
AcousticGod
Knowflake Posts: 5327
From: Pleasanton, CA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 05:51 PM
Don't cook the refried beans with bacon (like Chevy's). Disgusting. Neither is disgusting on their own, it's just the combination. To anyone familiar with real mexican food it will be a big turn off.IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 6224
From: Still out looking for Schrodinger's cat.......& LEXIGRAMMING.♥.. is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 13, 2009 11:06 PM
Thanks again everyone!  ------------------
A show of envy is an insult to oneself. ~Yevgeny Alexandrovich Yevtushenko
The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.
~William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude, 1693 IP: Logged |
Node
Knowflake Posts: 1281
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 14, 2009 12:01 PM
Lexx: Short answer Rick Bayless for menu ideas, long answer... Suggestions- ask the friend these questions first  First opening where in Canada? The neighborhood, area -downtown or suburban. What is the population? Who Is the competition? What do they serve? Next batch - What skills does the woman have? Is she a business pro? If not she may need to go back to school. What seating size and foot print of the building can she afford? Is she hiring pro's to run things both front and back of the house?
- If she is wealthy and can afford to delegate these tasks to employees great, if not, she must know every one else's job and be able to perform them herself.
Menu concept. If a downtown location and not visitor supported, then a more upscale innovative menu might work. Office buildings around? etc for lunch trade. A traditional Tex/Mex menu is popular in America but inexpensive. Volume sales and the bar is where they make their money. In Canada a more classical true Mexican Menu might work. A really good guy for that is Rick Bayless. Check his books and websites. I believe he had a show on PBS for awhile too. Rick Bayless. A true historian and practitioner of the cuisine. I have much respect for Mexican cooking, and Mexican cooks. There is a very good reason why so many great American restaurants have Mexican cooks in the kitchen. Because they are simply some of the best around. Peek in the back of house in the superstar kitchens and you will find a whole lot of Mexican staff. To me the classical Mexican cuisine can be compared to Indian curry. Some dishes may take 3 days to prepare properly (mole) and each region has their own particular spice blend + techniques. Oh, and for dessert, a truly good Flan is crucial, and in Canada w/ plenty of Ca-nooks about it translates to Creme Brulee and would sell.IP: Logged |
Node
Knowflake Posts: 1281
From:
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 14, 2009 12:46 PM
Oh, and Penzey's Spices Big TimeIP: Logged |
future_uncertain
Knowflake Posts: 206
From:
Registered: May 2009
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posted April 14, 2009 07:58 PM
Just got back from finally indulging that Mexican craving. Shrimp fajitas, incredible guac-- yum!Scorpionic Web-- good call on the fish tacos. IP: Logged |
LEXX
Moderator Posts: 6224
From: Still out looking for Schrodinger's cat.......& LEXIGRAMMING.♥.. is my Passion!
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted April 18, 2009 08:59 PM
She said thank you!
I will post more when I find out more!
Thanks again everyone so very much! IP: Logged |
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