[ThunderSleeps]

There is a local restaurant that used to have the best enchiladas I’ve ever had. A big part of that was the re-fried beans and the rice sides. Since then though, they’ve either changed up their recipe, supplier, cook...something. For several years they were #1 by a wide margin, then in the blink of an eye they became an also-ran. A big part of that fall was whatever they did to the beans. Their enchiladas are still basically the same, still very good but... Proof that the sides can make or break the meal.

[cyclotic]

I now live very near a large sanctuary city and the sad thing is, the Mexican restaurants are all lousy. With all the Hispanics living here, you’d think they’d figure out a way to have some good eating, but I guess not.

When I lived in the Detroit suburbs, there was a small chain, maybe four locations called El Charro. They simply set the bar too high.

We moved away ten years ago and whenever we go home, El Charro is always a destination. (I’ll be there around July 4 for dinner)

[hanamizu]

re-fried beans and the rice sides.

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In my experience, if the refried beans are great, the rest of the menu is going to be pretty good as well. Like you, I think good frijoles refritos make the meal.