It was a Lu lose.
You have a recommendation? I’m listening. Sometimes I have to check out the restaurants that are local hits. These are the trendy spots that a city decides to give its most popular vote too. When I hear from 3 people that they hit up the same eatery one weekend, I figure I have to see if the place is worth the hype. If people are waiting an hour to sit, what’s the payoff?
So I visited TacoLu. I knew it was going to be packed. I knew it was Mexican food. I was ready for the rice, the beans, the spice! I was prepared to wait in line and maybe discover a new favorite spot.
My first disappointment was the décor. I’m a fan of themed places. I’m down with sombreros. I can get into kitsch styles, cultural celebrations and pun’d out menus. But, Taco Lu’s was not my cup of tea. It was totally decked out with a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) theme. Pics of sugar skulls and dancing skeletons decorated the walls. It was a strange montage of images.
I was still open to enjoying the food. The hostess told us it was an hour wait, but that there also might be room at the community table. I love the concept of a community table, very European, so we squeezed in and gave the gig a shot. The 10 people seated around us were all sectioned into little private pods of conversation. Each shared their own chips and gave a strong vibe of this is our space, do not disturb.
Our personal set of chips and salsa was delicious. The salsa had a little spice, getting that adrenaline going. I ordered the enchiladas. Now I like traditional Mexican food and I love Tex Mex. I’ve enjoyed hole-in-the-wall Mexican places, some fast food and lots of rice and beans in Mexico. This place serves what I shall dub indie Mex. Their own unique recipes, pretty much inspired by Mexican dishes. There was pulled pork in the tacos. If I wanted bar-b-que, I would not be here. My enchiladas didn’t have any of that oozing yummy red tomato sauce or Mexican cheese. The black beans had bacon. It just wasn’t what my taste buds wanted or expected.
The staff was very friendly –even with the chaos all around. Sure, they gave me a side of some delicious fiery red hot sauce that helped give the meal flavor, but my melty cheese dreams were dying. In Lu’s defense, the chicken in the non-enchilada-strange-tortilla-dish-item was cooked perfectly and there was tons of it, so I can’t say the food is bad. Just nothing to do with Mexican. Next time I’m crazing enchiladas I’ll go to Casa Maria. If I’m looking for trends I’ll do Black Sheep. Let the locals keep this one.