A San Diego Restaurant Review Blog

in which the author chronicles her efforts to indulge her foodie inclinations amidst her working-mom-of-a-toddler lifestyle



(with some reviews for with toddlers, others for date night, and others for a delicious solo lunch on the run, plus occasional quick-notes on SD theater!)

Sunday, March 7, 2010

El Zarape (University Heights)

Oh, El Zarape....Why did you have to go and be so confounding????

The hype: best taco shop in San Diego (see yelpers).

The promise: fast, fresh Mexican food....right near Balboa Park. Tons of veggie and meat options. In and out after a museum or zoo morning!

The reality:
--The toddler: loved it. Sat still! (shocking). Loved the horchata. Scarfed up his quesadilla (it was indeed pretty delicious). Was happy. Did I mention that he DID NOT RUN AROUND?! Not overstimulating like Roberto's Del Mar or Lucha Libre on Washington St. (never again....).

--The Mom: Had the classic fish taco - just ok (true, it's 99c, but what's the hype?). Horchata: pretty good. OHMIGOD - now I taste the salmon taco. Absolutely unbelievable. All right, the Mom thinks!!!! I'll definitely come here again!!! (the refried black beans, unimpressive at first, start to taste insanely earthy and delicious when sooned onto toddler's quesadilla)....SETTLED TODDLER, HAPPY MOM!!!!

But wait...

--The Dad: Usually easy to please, reports that his carne asada plate is "ok", then modifies it with "ok to bad." His food has no flavor, he says. No interest in returning.

So that takes care of El Zarape for us! The Dad usually goes along for the ride, but when he really dislikes a place that much, we aren't going back. Reader, it may work for you if you order differently....

Back to Sicilian Thing on Park days...or to Mama Testa's (which we loved last year but which The Toddler was rather hyper in - we'll try again).

No comments:

Post a Comment