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Cafe Maíz de El Cholo 27567 Puerta Real Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (949) 367-0777 Listing on Yahoo! Local Listing on Ask.com's Citysearch Official Site |  |
(UPDATE: Cafe Maiz has closed.) Stopped earlier today for lunch at a soft opening of Cafe Maíz, the new fast casual concept from the El Cholo chain and met up there with Nancy Luna, the OC Register's Fast Food Maven (click here to read her report of the visit). They were getting ready for their grand opening to the public tomorrow. The interior was mostly finished and is very clean but also with a very traditional Mexican theme. Outside the construction workers were working on taking down the temporary banner and putting up the permanent sign.
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Nancy placed her order first then me and we both found out later that we had each ordered an al pastor taco, made with slow-cooked, pulled, marinated pork. I believe this was the first al pastor taco I've had that was garnished with strips of pineapple. Generally, having al pastor tacos on the menu makes a Mexican restaurant's authenticity go up a notch. If you get them at Cafe Maíz try them with the Medium salsa. I also had very good carnitas taco that I gobbled down really quick but now that I think back on it I believe it had two kinds of pork in it. And that went good with the medium salsa too . . . and so did the nachos that Nancy and I shared. Actually the medium was the only kind I got but it was really, really good and I think it must've had some citrus kick to it. I even asked for the recipe on the way out but that remains El Cholo's secret.
Nancy's blog had mentioned a guacamole kit for large parties to create their own customized bowl of guacamole with. I found out today that that concept is being tested first at the Irvine El Cholo location and, if it's successful, it'll be added to Cafe Maíz.
The El Cholo family of restaurants was one of the first places that helped Mexican food catch on in Los Angeles and Orange County back in the 1920's and when I was at their newest location today I saw many of the members of the family that have kept the tradition alive. The owner, Ron Salisbury, pointed out to me a picture of his parents on the wall who were the second generation of El Cholo managers.
Good to see El Cholo adapting with the times while also holding onto their traditions. Four Speedy Gonzaleses:
The Legend of the Nacho Table
I've just been informed that each El Cholo location has a "Nacho Table." It's typically one of the "worst" tables in the house, and when people get seated there they get complimentary Carmen's Nachos to make up for the location. Now, the locations aren't terrible. You're not in the bathroom or getting hit in the back with the kitchen door, per se, but it's just a high traffic area outside the kitchen or something. Guests can actually ask for it if they know about it - there is often a wait for those tables even if other tables are available. So, if any readers sit at the Nacho Table leave a comment here and let us know.UPDATE
Here's two photos taken when I went back a while after they had been officially opened:
Click on the 'el cholo' label to read our complete coverage of the El Cholo chain in Orange County (we have a separate review for each of their locations):
3 comments:
It was fun eating with you Christian. You are definitely the right person to be reviewing Mexican food. Don't forget to check out the story behind Cafe Maiz at The Fast Food Maven blog.
http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2008/04/23/el-cholos-first-fast-casual-eatery-opening-thursday/
Ate there today. Service was disorganized. Lots of help, but orders not getting out to customers quickly. Food prep guys using their hands without gloves to poke a hole in a burrito under the warmer to see what kind it was. Our take out food sat up there quite a while until I went to the counter to ask for it. No offers of take out silverware. Salsa was no good. Chicken burrito and chicken salad just ok. Chicken was orange and grilled, but no taste. Menu did not have listings of ingerdients for various items.
On May 24 2009, My family and myself ordered food from this restaurant. Unfortunately the food was not great.The green tamale was sweet which is not mentioned on the menu. The burrito's (Shrimp,Carnitas and Fish)had more rice than meat and if I wanted a rice burrito I would have ordered one.The guacamole had no taste except for tasting like frozen avocados.I am a cook and I have owned my own restaurants and I grew up in San Diego so I know good Mexican food.
My Mother picked up the food at the restaurant and said the staff was very disorganized and she felt she had to make sure all items were in the order and they weren't. Unfortunately it is unlikely that we will order again. The one positive I have to say is at least the food wasn't covered in melted cheese.
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