Home › Forums › West Seattle Food › RANT – Endolyne Joe's
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February 24, 2010 at 8:20 pm #688904
flowerpetalMemberI agree about the Mexican restaurant. Its what I’ve come to expect for Mexican food. I don’t know if its authentic; I know it is not “designer food;” and the staff have been friendly every time I have been in there.
Isn’t “god awful” a funny phrase?
February 24, 2010 at 8:23 pm #688905
HelperMonkeyParticipantI like the Mexican place, and especially like being able to sit outside in the sun while drinking a lovely margarita. there’s not enough outdoor dining in West Seattle, IMO.
February 24, 2010 at 9:35 pm #688906
johnnyblegsMemberIt’s all about what you like. Everyone’s opinion of good food is different. Just because I am a chef by profession doesn’t automatically mean that I don’t enjoy a trashy burger from Dick’s (which I do on occasion). Assuming that a native Spokanian doesn’t know what good food tastes like is the same as a New Yorker say they have the best food on the planet. That’s just plain ignorance. I personally don’t enjoy EJ’s because of the lack of consistency in the food and lack of customer service. Being in the food industry I expect a certain level of quality when I go out to eat. Consistency is HUGE. Bakery Nouveau consistently produces a great baguette. That keeps me going back for more. Some others prefer the Safeway baguette. Doesn’t mean they don’t know good food, it’s just what they prefer…but they get the same consistent baguette every time. I gave EJ’s multiple chances and I found there were more misses than hits with them. I’m not a negative nancy. I just like food (and money) too much. can’t waste my time where it doesn’t satisfy me.
West 5 makes a pretty darn good mac n’ cheese BTW.
February 24, 2010 at 11:39 pm #688907
francis57MemberThank you Johnnyblegs, that was a very thoughtful and well worded reply. We’re going to give this West 5 macaroni and cheese a try within the week.
Also, we are going to try out the little Mexican food restaurant after all the great follow up comments. You can’t really go wrong with Mexican food and the boutique places are not really our style. Give us beans, rice, salsa, a good enchilada, a decent non-pretentious atmosphere and we’re happy.
Off to nibble on my safeway baguette now.
February 24, 2010 at 11:55 pm #688908
KBearParticipantI’ll agree on the West 5 mac & cheese and the Guadalajara restaurant. Both good.
February 25, 2010 at 12:35 am #688909
HelperMonkeyParticipantShadowland also has amazing mac-n-cheese
February 25, 2010 at 1:31 am #688910
JasperbluParticipantI’ll stand corrected on my “god awful” comment regarding the Mexican restaurant across from EJ’s. It’s not THAT bad… but it ain’t exactly great either. And I’m sorry, their Margaritas? They are indeed quite bad.
I’m a SoCal girl. Also lived in Tucson AZ for 11 yrs. Cut my baby teeth on authentic Mexican food. The food is edible at this place. It’s served hot. The service was okay (semi-friendly, but just barely).
To be fair btw, I’ve found VERY few places that make a good margarita (of any kind) in Seattle. EJ’s makes terrible margaritas too. I learned long ago never to order one from their bar. They do much better w/ the vodka martini’s.
February 25, 2010 at 1:54 am #688911
JoBParticipantJasperblu..
the 11 yrs in Tucson explains it…
i am married to a Tucson guy and mexican food isn’t authentic unless it is prepared the Tucson way…
never mind that there are many regions in Mexico
with many different styles of food:)
we have had this discussion more than once :->
go south.. there is good authentic mexican food to be had in both White Center and Burien… Tucson style:)
Maybe not with decent margaritas… but you can’t always get everything you want:)
There is a Mexican butcher in White Center and a tortilla machine on Aumbuam at about 128th… add a stop by the liquor store and you can come mightly close :)))
if i didn’t already have Ravioli and pesto planned …..
February 25, 2010 at 4:01 am #688912
rockhillsMemberWe’re a long ways from Mexico! If any of you have found a good Mexican restaurant in the area I would love to hear about it–I’m in withdrawal. I have found a couple of taco trucks I like, but I’m not always in the mood to stand in the rain for my meal. For me the draw of both Guadalajara and EJ’s is the location and outdoor seating (in the Summer.)
Since moving to Seattle, I’ve done the rounds with discerning friends who won’t step foot in a national chain restaurant except under extreme duress. With one notable exception, none of their choices have really blown me away with regard to food quality or taste. Most of it is pretty good, some of it just ‘OK’, and I frequent a lot of WS restaurants because of atmosphere and proximity. I also like to support local business. But I really have to work to stop the eye roll when I hear snarky comments about the national chains. Many of them fall in the ‘pretty good’ to ‘OK’ categories as well.
February 25, 2010 at 4:15 am #688913
datamuseParticipantrockhills, I like El Paisano in White Center (affiliated with the aforementioned carniceria). Muy Macho in South Park is also not bad. El Paisano has beer, no liquor if memory serves. Muy Macho didn’t have a liquor license last time I was there, but maybe they’ve got one now.
February 25, 2010 at 4:18 am #688914
rockhillsMemberThanks, Datamuse, I’ll check those out!
February 25, 2010 at 4:37 am #688915
bluebirdMemberMany mex restaurants around here are mexican comfort food, IMO. Not authentic, not exceptional, but sometimes hits the spot just the same. I like the taco truck by Home depot better than the one most people favor in white center. It is a preference thing.
Mission is my all around favorite by far, but not as conveniently located when you’re hungry right NOW.
February 26, 2010 at 6:57 am #688916
dufusMemberI love EJ’s b-fast. I would agree their dinner fare is hit or miss and the service too. Good margaritas have yet to be found in Seattle — I moved from Texas about 16 years ago and continue to be amazed at how poorly Mexican food and margaritas can be made at so many establishments. And I do apologize, but people born and raised in Seattle usually don’t know good Mexican food from bad… that is why some of these Mexican food restaurants stay in business…because people here don’t know what good Mexican food is supposed to taste like! But probably people in Spokane know better than people in Seattle. Good margaritas, where are you!????!!!
February 26, 2010 at 4:19 pm #688917
dhgParticipantGood Mexican Food: El Camion, the taco truck on 1st ave s next to rejuvenation (awesome mole, tasty cochinita pibil); Senior Moose, Ballard, run by a woman inspired by her travels in Mexico, produces very very tasty food. Great breakfasts, too.
February 26, 2010 at 5:03 pm #688918
JustSarahParticipantLa Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard also does tasty Mexican food. For “Mexican” food (not super-authentic), I love Circo Circo in Des Moines.
February 26, 2010 at 5:14 pm #688919
dhgParticipantI’ll try them out, Sarah!
Oh, and back to the subject. I had brunch at EJ’s last Sunday, the hashbrowns were the worst ever. Cooked until crisp (or burnt)throughout, then served cold. I was with a group so I didn’t want to make a fuss. Had I been on my own, I woulda.
February 26, 2010 at 8:10 pm #688920
dawsonctParticipantdufus, when was the last time you actually met someone who was born and raised in Seattle? I’ve lived here since ’68 and can probably count the true natives I know on one hand. Ironically, the one with the very worst taste in Mexican food is Mexican/Irish. Must have gotten it from his Mother’s side.
I don’t believe Tex/Mex was invented in Seattle, nor do I believe Seattleites are the sole reason it continues to thrive across this country, but Americans have had a long tradition of “Americanizing” ethnic cuisine that we are only recently beginning to break away from. Give it time; go eat Korean, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, they haven’t yet been co-opted by the forces of bland.
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Seattle has a lot of taco trucks that serve very good and authentic food, and you don’t have to “stand in the rain” at any I know of. I like Tacos Maestro on Pac. Hwy. S., they have chivo, cabeza, e lengua EVERY DAY, not just occasionally and accidentally. I have never eaten there with more than one gringo in the crowd, which is a good sign for me. I will give El Camion another chance some time, but their prices were a bit steeper than most, the torta de lengua I had was okay, but easily repeatable by any number of taco trucks. Also seemed strange to me that the THREE employees that were in the kitchen at the time I was there (with no other customers present), couldn’t get my torta to me in less than ten minutes. Makes me think lunch rush is a good time to avoid this place.
Guadalupe Market is a fantastic source of Mexican and C. American foods and ingredients. Their dried chili selection is unparalleled in this region. A large number of small, family-run Mexican and C. American businesses and restaurants are popping up all over S. Seattle and Burien. Be adventurous.
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La Carta IS good, but it’s popularity sometimes makes it difficult to settle in for a feast. Another possibility in Ballard/Crown Hill is Cocina Esperanza, which I have found consistently excellent, with the caveat that it is a chef-driven menu, so the familiar dishes may have some unfamiliar ingredients and presentation. The specials are were the chef really shines, I mean, c’mon, it’s listed as the PORK special of the day. Need I say more?
February 26, 2010 at 8:36 pm #688921
JustSarahParticipantdawson, I’m a native Seattleite, so your count can now increase! :-) But among my friends and coworkers, even my husband, most are from other states. So yes, let’s blame the bland Mexican food on transplants!
That said, my aunt from San Diego has a border rule about Mexican food: she won’t eat it if she’s more than 100 miles from the Mexican border. Not saying it’s right, but it works for her. (However, there are some *bad* Mexican restaurants in SoCal, for sure!)
February 26, 2010 at 9:11 pm #688922
johnnyblegsMemberHow this topic changed from the OP of high priced cocktails at EJ’s to the overall lack of mexican food in Seattle is strange, but I thought I’d put my two cents in. Oh, and both my wife and I are natives so count us in as well :)
Not all mexican joints in Seattle are bad, there are however a great number that are. If you stick to the chain places (Las Margaritas, Azteca, Guadalajara) they are the most non authentic IMO.
However, the tacos at Tacos Guymas are pretty dang close to the ones I’ve gotten off the streets in Mexico. I wouldn’t order anything else if you’re looking for authentic. Taqueria La Fondita #2 in White Center is steller (and there’s a covered place to eat and wait out of the rain) I’ve been to El Camion and was not impressed at all. They seemed a little put off by me. I wasn’t sure if it was my order or something I did but they were very rude.
The Ballard joints are overpriced. Been to Carta a few times. Good but spendy. Have heard good things about Senor Mousse (from my Mexican City Friend) but haven’t been yet.
May 23, 2010 at 8:11 am #688923
PibalParticipantWarning: More thread creep…
So Jasperblu and JoB: What are your favorite/best Tucson Mexican restaurants? Would they include Casa Molina, El Charro, Mi Nidito, Nico’s, La Parilla Suiza, Papagayo, El Minuto?
Miss that place…
May 23, 2010 at 6:56 pm #688924
JimmyGMemberIt’s KETEL One, not Kettle.
As an unrepentant boozer I couldn’t let that one go without notice.
July 17, 2010 at 7:35 pm #688925
c@lbobMemberWell, I ventured into Endolyne Joe’s earlier in the month, after a long hiatus — the service and food had been underpar one toooo many times.
This time, all was well. I went with my son, at his request. We both stayed with pretty safe choices, Aaron had bacon and eggs, I had a burger, but both dishes were served quickly, and tasted good.
We could have gone to Zippy’s and gotten better for less, but then I would have missed my glass of wine :^D
Overall, the meal raised my ardor for Joe’s to lukewarm.
July 17, 2010 at 8:56 pm #688926
mav0414Participantanother here, the foodservice industry is my business/career.
We have given up on E.Joes, just due to inconsistency/quality preparation of the food itself. Service varies each of the 5 times we have visited, ranging from poor to just good never great.
At least we have the Junction, Alki or downtown close to home.
July 18, 2010 at 12:21 am #688927
KimberleyParticipantI was there last night with friends from Montana, and although they were out of the chicken fried steak two people wanted, everyone agreed that the food was good. We had one of the new Cuban apps (some slider things) that were tasty, one person had the fish and chips and said it was awesome, I had the burger with a side of onion rings (that I couldn’t finish), another had the domino chops which I was told were fantastic and someone had the cuban pete chicken that was mediocre (he said he’s had better from there). I think they also had dessert. Other than the drinks being a tad overpriced, we’ve not often had complaints about the food there. We’ve always received brilliant service from any of the waiters.
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