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 Above: Mariachi Night is a popular event at Jalapeņo Loco in Mentor. |
Jalapeño Loco makes it easier for expatriate San Antonians like me to get their fix of spicy Mexican cuisine.
Even with so many Mexican restaurants now in the area, I‘ve already eaten at Jalapeño Loco about eight times – and the restaurant just opened last March. At least Mexican food is an inexpensive vice.
A glance around the dining room will tell you the clientele is one that speaks both English and Spanish, proving Jalapeño Loco entices Mexican immigrants and local aficionados of Mexican cooking alike.
The usual scattering of sombreros, serapes and paintings of picturesque Mexican villages imbue this engaging eatery with a traditional Mexican ambience. Loco‘s friendly servers welcome diners with a smile and bowls of fresh, heavy-on-the-cilantro-and-lime salsa and chips. They are happy to humor even the lamest Spanish speaking attempts.
The piquant salsa is based on chopped tomatoes with lots of cilantro, plenty of chopped onions and a tangy hint of peppers, just how I like it, although less chunky than I prefer.
The not-too-loud Latin music makes you want to get up and dance, or sing, as you'll often catch the servers doing. Why not? It‘s a chance to dance some of those carbs off.
Speaking of carbs, try not to fill up on chips and salsa – the combo platters are huge. Actually, no matter what you order, you will receive a generous plate of food. Almost every entrée comes with rice and beans and many come with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole as well.
If you‘ve never tried guacamole because of its scary color, close your eyes and dip your next tortilla chip into the creamy green concoction. I first tried it in Texas and have had a love affair with it ever since. Jalapeño Loco‘s version is divine.
A good start is the melted cheese with chorizo, what I've seen called queso flameado or queso fundido in other restaurants. This dish of molten cheese with pieces of spicy Mexican sausage is one of my favorites. To eat, just wrap globs of the gooey combination, the consistency of melted mozzarella, in hot tortillas – yum!
The food is what you would expect and more, although except for the camarones a la diabla – shrimp cooked in a spicy-hot sauce – little about the menu is exceptional.
It includes standards such as quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas and other familiar favorites. Fourteen speedy lunches range from $4 to $6; the $6 selections include steak or fajitas.
There may not be many surprises on the menu, but as they say, sometimes the best surprise is no surprise.
My usual choices, either a chicken burrito or chimichanga, are delicious at Jalapeño Loco, as are the fajitas and quesadillas. The enchiladas locas – corn tortillas filled with one ingredient each – cheese, ground beef, chicken, bean, shredded beef – were a little off my beaten path.
Tamales are another favorite. Stuffed with large pieces of flavorful pork and topped with just the right amount of cheese and chili sauce, the rich corn taste brings back memories.
Though they insist their food is never frozen, my dining partner thought he detected freezer burn on his chile relleno. Going on just the single bite I was allotted (he ate it all, so it couldn‘t have been that bad), I attributed the sharp flavor to a bitter pepper.
A margarita was the only thing the meal was missing, but a two-margarita lunch is frowned on at the paper – and you can‘t drink just one. Be sure to finish with the sopapillas, fried flour tortillas with melted butter, drizzled with honey, and a shake of cinnamon.
On the last Monday night of the month, Mariachi Zelaya takes the task of entertainment from the friendly servers, strolling around serenading diners.
If the servers find out it‘s your birthday, expect to have a sombrero plopped on your head, be sung to in Spanish and have your picture taken. You won‘t mind – just have another margarita. To further embarrass you, they will even post your photo on the Web site at http://www.jalapenoloco.com/ next to photos of other people who look like they may have had one too many Coronas.
The standard farewell from the Jalapeño Loco staff is “See you tomorrow.” When you go back, as I‘m sure you will, expect to be greeted like an old friend. You‘ll probably find me in the next booth.
Jalapeño Loco is located in the Points East Plaza at 7289 Mentor Ave. The restaurant can be reached at (440) 918-1503.
Laura Freeman reviews restaurants regularly for the Lake County Business Journal. |
