| Author | Message | ||
     Algebra2 |
Is Cactus a no-go? I saw a "FOR RENT" sign in the window. | ||
| Eliz |
'tis a shame - we just had a terrible meal at Toro Loco - would have loved some kind of good local Southwest/texmex/mex eatery. | ||
| Algebra2 |
We are big El Bandito fans. It's in Orange. | ||
| Sac |
Just a block or two from El Bandito on the same street I think, but in West Orange, is Los Tapatios. We really like it. We found out about it from a discussion on this board last summer, so you might want to check the archives for other possibilities. | ||
| Mlj |
Regarding El Bandito and Los Tapatios. Are they BYO (or can you get a really good margarita)? | ||
| Algebra2 |
El Bandito has great margaritas. | ||
| Mem |
margaritas! Thanks for the Friday night cocktails idea... | ||
| Algebra2 |
Or Friday afternoon cocktail ideas. | ||
| Musicme |
Eliz, I agree about the bad food at Toro. And the Margaritas a lousy now too! I used to go to El Bandito years ago. It's good to hear that they still rock. | ||
| Eliz |
I'm going to look up El Bandito next time. And yes I agree the Toro Margaritas were ghastly. I'm still feeling the effects of the food.... (maybe a little bit the tequila as well  ) | ||
| Shh |
We went to Los Tapatios after reading the suggestions here and were extremely disappointed. The guacamole was good, but it ended there. Shrimp fajitas consisted of way overcooked teeny shrimp in greasy tomato sauce-- not the usual freshly sauteed shrimp and veggies piping hot from the skillet. If everyone else has had good food there, will someone enlighten me? What does El Bandito serve that is good? We're DYING to get good burritos 'round here. I don't eat meat, so do they serve good vegetarian stuff? Not just canned refried beans, please! I love Benny's but we can only hit the city so often. I need my fix! | ||
| Maaaa |
Jose Tejas on Rt 1 in Iselin (right next to the Woodbridge Mall) is a schlep down the parkway, but well worth it. Food is cheap, quality is pretty high and portions are huge. There are several vegetarian options. It also looks great. When I miss my days in So.California, I go down for a visit. | ||
| Townie |
I like to go to Case de Maya in Meyersville. It's a charming location for a weekend lunch and the food is down home Mexican, including cactus enchiladas. But for the real, real thing, Dos Rancheros on 39th and 9th in Manhattan is convenient to the Midtown Direct. It's a formica table-top, mexican jukebox, rock bottom prices joint. Don't go for the decor. Go for the burritos and the horchata. k. | ||
| Shh |
I think we may have passed the place in Meyersville a few weeks ago. Is it really tiny? I heard it's off the Meyersville circle, which was also smaller than I expected, if we were actually there. My husband works several blocks from Dos Rancheros-- thanks for the tip! We love going to restaurants in that area of Manhattan. Maybe I'll have him do take-out one night. It just might be the thing to tide me over. BTW, what is horchata? | ||
| Sac |
Casa Maya is great! Yes, it's the little place on your left (as you come down Meyersville Road from Chatham) just as you get to the Meyersville Circle. | ||
| Townie |
Shh, Horchata is a sweet cold milk and cinnamon drink to which I happen to be addicted. Casa Maya (thanks Sac for taking out my "de") is indeed right at the Meyersville circle. It's on the opposite side of the road from Archie's (does that help?) or kind of kitty-korner to the Meyersville Inn (am I losing you?). Anyway, if you go around the circle once from any direction, you surely can't miss it. It's painted bright Aztec and got a front window full of potato vines and cacti. BTW, I just visited the Raptor Center today in the Great Swamp for the first time. All kinds of owls, eagles, falcons and hawks hanging out in their own houses, keeping a sharp eye on the (few) visitors. It's a great little outing, lunch at Casa Maya included. $2 suggested donation for adults at the Raptor Center. Kids free. It's on Lord Stirling Road, about a mile or two from Meyersville. Like I said, don't expect anything but Mexican funky at Dos Rancheros if you go. | ||
| Melidere |
That Horchata drink sounds fabulous. The recipes on the web all include rice as the staple of the drink. lots of people add almonds too. thanks, townie...i'm going to see if i can make that this week. | ||
| Shh |
Townie, That Raptor Ctr outing sounds great! Is there a website, or any other published info? Good for 3 & 5 year olds? And, I expect my husband to bring home dinner from Dos Rancheros one night soon. Things are lookng up· | ||
| Nursie |
I am a native of Texas and very picky about my Mexican food. The best I've had recently was at Jose's Cantina on South Street in New Providence. In fact this thread started me craving and I am going for a "fix" on Wednesday! Forget Toro Loco, I completly agree that they are the worst. | ||
| Townie |
Shh, Here's a website that describes the Raptor Trust, which includes directions. (I mistakenly said it's on Lord Stirling Road. It's on White Bridge Road.) http://www.fieldtrip.com/nj/86471091.htm A walk through the Raptor Trust takes no more than half an hour, so even if a young child doesn't get interested in the birds, they can stretch their legs outdoors and it's over in a flash. The birds are in sheds behind netting and fences, and sometimes they hide in dark corners, so sometimes you've got to look hard to find them. But the huge bald eagles and the snowy owls and the turkey vultures are hard to miss. Melidere, I've never really known what's in a Horchata. Let me know how your experiments turn out. | ||
| Kestrel |
Re: The Raptor Trust: Yes, it is a wonderful place, but please keep in mind that it is a Hospital for injured, sick and orphaned birds. I have taken quite a few unfortunate birds there myself over the years. So, if you do bring young children to visit, you must be sure to keep them reasonably quiet....The same hold true for adults too! And when you go, please say hello to my "name sakes" Thanks!! Joe Zellers, aka, KESTREL | ||
| Townie |
You're absolutely right, Joe. Thanks for the further advice. Also, I should mention that no dogs are allowed. (BTW, the kestrels were looking particularly bright-eyed.) kathleen | ||
| Cody |
If you go to the Raptor Trust, Lord Stirling Park is just down the road a bit. It has a nice pond, some easy walks for younger children and some more challenging ones too (can be wet and muddy in spring, so wear shoes that can take it). There's a nature center and gift shop there. My kids always liked to stop and look at the books and stuffed toys. Lots of items were very inexpensive. Occasionally they had an art show in progress - usually around a wildlife theme. Nice clean restrooms, too - we always seemed to be looking for those when the kids were small. It was always a nice outing along with the Raptor Trust. | ||
| Barleyrooty |
Just to pick up an old thread - we love Don Jose on Rte 10 next to Imagine That. Full of mexicans which should be a good sign. BYO. |
