After walking through the glass entryway to Huaraches Restaurant, some diners may want to turn right back around. With paint slowly peeling off the yellow, purple and orange walls, a faint odor of staleness floating through the air and numerous rips in the padded booths, the place doesn't immediately give off the most pleasant dining vibe.
What makes the atmosphere manageable is the distinctly authentic feel emanating from everything in the room: the twin television sets blaring telenovelas, the full chile pepper in the super-spicy salsa and the menu printed almost entirely in Spanish. (Don't worry if you're unfamiliar with the language; pictures accompany most items on the menu.)
You'll find all the Mexican staples here - chiles rellenos, enchiladas, tortas, tacos - and most come with the standard, and surprisingly fresh tasting, rice and beans. There are also the namesake huaraches, giant shoe-shaped tortillas covered in salsa (and meat if you like) and stuffed with black beans. For those with less adventurous tastes, hamburgers and hot dogs are on the back. The relatively extensive drink menu includes aguas frescas (mixtures of sugar and water with fruits, seeds or cereals), Mexican sodas and shakes.
The food alone gives this restaurant a sense of grandeur. Enchiladas verdes (only $7.95), comes on a monstrous plate with enough food to feed three people: five enchiladas and a generous helping of rice and beans. Though served without sides, the huaraches are similarly large, and one is more than enough for a meal. But be careful; as a testament to the authenticity of these Mexican meals, the food is spicier than you might expect. Just be sure to keep the agua fresca handy.
Centerstage Reviewer: Zach Freeman
