Friday, August 31, 2007

El Molino de Oro - Review #1

Date of Visit: August 25, 2007
El Molino de Oro
31886 Plaza Dr #D3
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 489-9230

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El Molino de Oro - Exterior

Following up on a recommendation made to me back in what seems like ancient times I finally went to check out El Molino de Oro in San Juan Capistrano last Saturday for a late lunch. The fact that it was solidly in between lunch and dinner didn't stop a steady stream of customers from coming to enjoy this authentic Mexican food.

El Molino de Oro - Warming Trays

The food is served cafeteria-style from warming trays but the food moved so fast they were always replenished with fresh supplies. There is nothing too surprising about the menu here: it might be described as "Mexican comfort food." I ordered a combo platter with two beef enchiladas and a carnitas chile relleno which they topped off with lettuce, tomato, salsa verde, and a drizzle of sour cream. I helped myself to a radish from a nearby bowl to add some potassium content to my meal:

El Molino de Oro - Combo Platter

They also have five flavors of aguas frescas on hand. When I was ready to pay for my food the girl ringing up my order asked if I wanted anything to drink. Paralyzed by the variety of choices but feeling the pressure of hungry people in line behind me I uninformatively blurted out, "Agua fresca." Having to guess what flavor I might be referring to the señorita asked, "Jamaíca?" (pronounced "huh-MY-kuh," not like the name of the country with the same spelling). I readily went with her suggestion and enjoyed the refreshing hibiscus-flavored "fresh water."

El Molino de Oro - Exterior

As an adjunct to the tortilleria they have a bakery next door that reminds me of the kind I learned of when little when mi padre took the family on culinary adventures in Los Angeles. There's all kinds of breads and pastries here. You can grab a pair of tongs and grab some goodies and load them on to a cafeteria-style tray and take them up to the register to have them rung up.

El Molino de Oro - Exterior

I went for one of my favorite treats from years past: a custard-filled "horn" pastry, a miniature dessert cornucopia which smoothly capped off my spicy meal:

El Molino de Oro - Horn Pastry

Even though I had never been there before my trip to El Molino de Oro felt like a visit to an old friend, one you always feel comfortable with, thereby earning a 4.25 Speedy Gonzales rating:

Speedy Gonzales Speedy Gonzales Speedy Gonzales Speedy Gonzales Speedy Gonzales
Here's some additional photos:

El Molino de Oro - Bakery Exterior


El Molino de Oro - Exterior


El Molino de Oro - Exterior

7 comments:

  1. Very nice. I like cafeteria-style restaurants. The food tends to be cheap and decent.

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  2. Make sure to get the aguas frescas if you go. And some goodies from the bakery.

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  3. Wow, *five* flavors of aguas frescas AND pastries? My kind of place, mmm.

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  4. Yep, this is good stuff. A little gem in the SJC.

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  5. Best Mexican food in South Orange County. The chili verde, chicken, breakfast burrito and salsa fresca are outstanding.

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  6. Have been meaning to try this place. By the way, don't forget to review Las Golondrinas--a small family owned take out chain with one location in San Juan, one in Capo Beach, and I think they may have a couple of others. Authentic Mexican home cooking and cheap!

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  7. Sorry, it took me forever to get to your comment. I'll definitely be covering Las Golondrinas sometime.

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