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Peter
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Username: Peter

Post Number: 89
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 4:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm from California. Can I get some real California-style Mexican food around here? Don't send me to Tinga's in Millburn or El Toro Barfo in SO.

Thanks.
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dave23
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Username: Dave23

Post Number: 960
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 4:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The best (and only) good Mexican food I've found in the area is Casa Maya. If you go, prepare to wait. And BYOB.

http://www.casamayamexican.com/

Getting good Mexican on the east coast is like getting good pizza on the west coast.
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Virtual It Girl
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Username: Shh

Post Number: 3368
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 4:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

No.

Not sure if I'm on the same foodlength as you, but we got hooked on Benny's and Harry's in the East Village after my Californian cousin turned us on to it. (What? Where's all the cheese?) I like what I like to think of as clean Mexican... fresh cilantro, real beans (not canned refried), and generally avoid anything covered with tomato paste, jack cheese and thrown under the broiler.

Now Benny's at least it under new ownership and even that's not the same as it used to be. (And it's not convenient.)

Believe it or not, when we're out on Rt. 22, there's a takeout place we like to stop at. It's a chain, I can't remember the name...wait, Baja Fresh. They cook/assemble everything to order and even have a salsa bar. Plus, it's cheap.

Also, I like the burritos at Qdoba in the Short Hills Mall.

If you're taste in Mexican is similar to mine I can almost guarantee you won't like any of the other places anyone will mention here. (Los Tapatios, Casa Maya in Meyersville, etc.) We find them all to be too saucy/cheesy/refried beany for our tastes, at least as far as burritos go.
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mantram
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Username: Mantram

Post Number: 181
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 4:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Haven't found anything like Zarela around here. Absolutely love them, but they are in the city:

www.zarela.com
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Dave
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Username: Dave

Post Number: 7766
Registered: 4-1997


Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 4:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mission Burrito in Hoboken is very good, but it's mostly take-out. They have a few tables outside, but.. brrrrrrrrrr.
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Spare_o
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Username: Spare_o

Post Number: 302
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 5:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Peter--I'm from CA too - grew up in LA, went to Berkeley and then lived in Irvine. Unfortunately I don't know of any good Mexican restaurants in the immediate area. There are a few good ones in the city that I found in Zagat's. There are a few decent places in Hoboken - Baja, El Barrio, Mision Burrito, Zafra (OK, it's Cuban / Latin) and Charritos. El Barrio and Mision are take out places with great burritos. Hopefully you will find a couple of places to satisfy that craving.
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mjc
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Username: Mjc

Post Number: 883
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 5:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I like Mexicali Rose in Montclair, but it's been almost 20 years since I moved from LA, so my taste may have been subverted.

El Bandido in West (?) Orange is palatable but not special, more like really cheap sit-down CA Mexican.

For nearby fast-food Mexican that's not horrible, Desert Moon in the Essex Green shopping center, West Orange. There's also a make your own place in New Brunswick near Rutgers, but I can't remember either the name or the street. Same street as Tumulty's, if that helps.

I long for tiny real Mexican places, preferably cinder block, where abuelita is shredding the meat in front of the TV, and everything is under $5.

happy searching, and do report back if you find something good!
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cmontyburns
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Username: Cmontyburns

Post Number: 1446
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 5:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What's wrong with the crazy bull? I think their food is really good. Granted I'm usually sucking down margaritas at a good clip, so I may not be the best judge. But we go there quite a bit. People are friendly, it's a good place to take a group.



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cmontyburns
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Username: Cmontyburns

Post Number: 1447
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 5:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Also I was surprised to learn that "real Mexican" food comes from California.

:-)

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JMF
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Username: Jmf

Post Number: 121
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 5:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

mjc

Have you been to Mexicali Rose recently? It used to be my absolute favorite mexican resturaunt, but
I think the ownership changed and I was incredibly disapointed my last couple of times there.

I almost want to hold back from saying this... but the best Mexican food I ever had was in Mexico... well not really mexico, it was in Disney World in "Mexico" and the food was outstanding.

If you are just looking to fill a craving for a burrito... I love to gorge myself on a Qdoba burrito every once in a while... all 1250 calories of it (and yes I am serious!)


I was at the Crazy Bull 2 days ago...
good stuff..

There is also Salsa in Chatham. I have been there a few times, and it was really good.
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Robert Little
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Username: Boblittle

Post Number: 214
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 6:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As said, the holes-in-the-wall are best. Cinco de Mayo at 1169 Dickinson between Broad and Jefferson in Elizabeth is muy authentico. I'm be there for lunch many Mondays.

Although any place with a website is suspect on the abuela-meter, it can be found at www.5-demayo.com.

If like me you're accustomed to California style, you'll find Tinga more oriented toward Tex-Mex.
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Eire
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Username: Eire

Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2005
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 9:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Went to Tinga for first time tonight and LOOOOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!
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John
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Username: Jerseyjohn

Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2005
Posted on Friday, October 28, 2005 - 10:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is no good mexican food that I can think of around here. Tinga is pretty good but is Tex/Mex really. I too lived in Berkeley Ca for about 6 years and got hooked on "real" mexican while out there. Sadly I drive out to route 10 and go to Chevys and get fajitas when I need mexican. Toro Loco is fine for banging down beers but there food is as mexican as Cryans!
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Hamandeggs
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Username: Hamandeggs

Post Number: 83
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 5:46 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

No, much of the Toro Loco stuff is Mexican. It's not Cancun-style, but it's what you might find in the DF or central Mexico. I lived in that area and it's similar stuff.
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sac
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Username: Sac

Post Number: 2746
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 10:29 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Why is California Mexican food "real", but Tex-Mex is not? Of course there are regional differences in Mexican food, as with any other cuisine. And it is certainly reasonable for an individual to prefer one over another, but to say one is real and one is not exposes some unnecessary bias. I, for one, love good Tex-Mex. That's not surprising, since I grew up in Texas.
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Eric Wertheim
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Username: Bub

Post Number: 121
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 11:42 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

not a specific recommendation, but family runMexican places seem to be sprouting up in places where Mexican populations are growing. There are several in the Ironbound, believe it or not, and I know there is an area in New Brunswick that has a bunch of Mexican places (a little south of downtown on 27).
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Toroloco
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Username: Toroloco

Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 11:44 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Toro Loco happens to be a mexican family run restaurant since 1988, when Toro Loco first opened their doors to over150 people at their grand opening. Teresa is the owner and is 100% percent mexican, as well as the whole entire staff.(even the redhead is 100%mexican.)To have been in business for 17yrs and still going strong is a testiment to the community.
How do I know all of this? Im the Teresa's daughter and I am proud of my mother to have built a succesful business on her own and to raise 2 daughters in the process.
Peter- I live in southern california, and I have yet to find any mexican restaurant that compares to TORO LOCO. Different Strokes.
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Lucy
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Username: Lucy

Post Number: 1637
Registered: 5-2005


Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 12:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Welcome Toroloco you have a reason to be proud.
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Soulful Mr T
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Username: Howardt

Post Number: 1009
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 9:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I went El Bandito recently for the first time and I liked it quite a bit.

My only compaint is that the pitcher of margaritas seemed to have no (or very little) alcohol. Me and a fri4nd drank the whole pitcher and not even a buzz.

It may not be a great restaurant but I dig the happy hour frozen margaritas at East LA in Hoboken. I had three one night - man, was I a mess.
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John
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Username: Jerseyjohn

Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2005
Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 10:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tex Mex isn't "real" because it is a fusion of 2 style foods. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just a hybrid. Tinga's brisket buritto is great it's just not very mexican to have a buritto with barbeque sauce in it.

As far as Toro is concerned, you and your family should be proud to have a long standing business. Personally I don't like the food that much and wish you used some steak instead of ground beef in the beef dishes. But as you said you've been around for 17 years so it must be working!
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susan1014
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Username: Susan1014

Post Number: 1038
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 11:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey, Toro Loco uses steak in my Fajitas, so don't generalize too much!

We enjoy Tex Mex, and are Toro Loco regulars but would also love to find a place like the one in San Diego where you can order from about 8 different mole sauces (and hundreds of tequilas!)
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Wendyn
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Username: Wendyn

Post Number: 2320
Registered: 9-2002


Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 7:51 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We also like Jose's Cantina in New Providence and Warren.

RE Tinga, it is a GREAT place to go with little kids. They have a good kids menu that has the staples (chic fingers & hot dog) as well as tacos etc. They are very friendly, open basically all the time (for us early dinner eaters) and serve fast. It has become our favorite "with kids" dining.
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drewdix
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Username: Drewdix

Post Number: 1002
Registered: 7-2001
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 9:34 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Admire and applaud Toro Loco for it's staying power. It's friendly, and I like the bar, but the food is bland and ho-hum.

I'm no expert, but I thought a real mexican burrito wasn't 80% rice (in fact it's 0%, from my own CA experience- never been to Mexico).
Haven't found that out here.
I liked some of the things Carlos used to do at Carmelita's.
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max
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Username: Max

Post Number: 230
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 10:50 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We go to Toro Loco on an almost a weekly basis and love the food and the people working there.
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gtonne
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Username: Gtonne

Post Number: 84
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 12:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Peter - for CA fast Mexican food you can go to Baja Fresh on Route 22 near BJ's. I loved in LA and love it here too.

Now we just need In and Out to expand to the east coast.
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steven
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Username: Steven

Post Number: 68
Registered: 6-2001
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 12:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Los Tapotios (or is it Topotios?) in West Orange.

They even import their soda from Mexico. I have been told by true believers think there is a taste difference because the Coke is sweetened with cane sugar and not corn syrup. I can't tell teh difference.

But the food and service is excellent.
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sac
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Username: Sac

Post Number: 2753
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 5:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's Tapatios. And yes, there is a definite taste difference! I love the Coke (as well as the food) at Los Tapatios (and in the markets on the Mexican border) and I really don't care much for the regular stuff. It's the difference between High Fructose Corn Syrup (which is nasty stuff nutrionally also) and REAL sugar (sucrose). Unfortunately for my health, I do like many other HFCS sweetened beverages ... but I guess that is for a different discussion.

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SO1969
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Username: Bklyn1969

Post Number: 147
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 5:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you're adventurous, I suggest you try Los Brazeros on Scotland Road in Orange - just before the road rises to pass over the train tracks. If you're not familiar with the area, I'd try it on Saturday afternoon first.

Specifically mention that you want the food "mexican style" with a little bit of queso fresco instead of "american style" with a load of cheese.

I've been once and had the enchiladas in mole sauce. They were very good.

The owner used to work at Toro Loco and some other local establisments. Don't hold that against him. I think his take away from those establishments is that there is an american palette and a mexican palette.

Most of his current business is from mexican migrant workers in Orange, so he is very good at preparing authentic Mexican-style food. I believe he is also from Mexico.

His name is Edgar and I believe he'd welcome more biz from South Orange.

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maaaa
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Username: Maaaa

Post Number: 126
Registered: 5-2001
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 6:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you don't mind a bit of a drive, Jose Tejas, on Rt 1 and 9 in Woodbridge has the closest to California-type Mexican food I've had since leaving San Diego. Try to go off-peak; the wait for tables can be very long, even though the place is vast. The wait's worth it though-- the food is great and very cheap.
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Spare_o
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Username: Spare_o

Post Number: 305
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 8:43 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

gtonne--Don't EVEN get me thinking about a In-n-Out double double with grilled onions!!
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Robert Little
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Username: Boblittle

Post Number: 219
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 3:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In-n-Out is the finest non-auteur hamburger on earth.

http://www.in-n-out.com/
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TomD
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Username: Tomd

Post Number: 302
Registered: 5-2005


Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 4:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I heard a really interesting story about in-n-out burger's secret menu on a podcast recently (KCRW's Good Food).

I've never eaten there, but just hearing about it made me want some fries animal style.
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mjc
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Username: Mjc

Post Number: 887
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 4:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

JMF, thanks for the info. It has probably been at least a year since I went to Mexicali Rose.

John & spare_o, if it's not intrusive to ask, when were you in Berkeley? Like spare_o, I'm a Socal-Berkeley-Socal migrant, but potentially before you were born (1966-1973).

And for the record, we're probably in Toro Loco a dozen times a year, too. Love the friendly, homey service there.

Thanks everyone for all your recommendations. Looks like it's time for research!
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Tom Reingold
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Username: Noglider

Post Number: 10488
Registered: 1-2003


Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 4:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

John wrote: Tex Mex isn't "real" because it is a fusion of 2 style foods.

All cultures are changing all the time. There is no pure thing without influence from outside. If there were, it would be very boring.
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dougw
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Username: Dougw

Post Number: 512
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 5:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Boring like French. They try and protect the language from outside influence. Thus the language is dying while open minded English, Spanish and Cantonese are thriving.
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Tom Reingold
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Username: Noglider

Post Number: 10490
Registered: 1-2003


Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 5:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree about the French language. The efforts to keep it pure are killing it. But the cuisine is neither stagnant nor boring.
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dougw
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Username: Dougw

Post Number: 514
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 5:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

très vrai
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John
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Username: Jerseyjohn

Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2005
Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 7:21 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tom you are taking what I said after responding to a previous response. I have no problem with fusion or changing of cultures I was just illustrating a point that a tex-mex place is not the same as a straight mexican place.

mjc I lived in Berkeley during my college years. I had a place over on McGee & Bancroft near university and the high school. I also worked for the local Andronicos market for about 5 years when I was there.
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Peter
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Username: Peter

Post Number: 102
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 1, 2005 - 9:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

HEY! I'M a SoCal-Berkeley transplant. Escaped from behind the Orange Curtain when I was 17. I was on Channing, then off Piedmont in Oakland. My old roommate owned Ay Chihuahua! on San Pablo (1989 - 1996 or so?) Now he lives in Cranford and works at the French Culinary Academy.

We should form a road crew to check some of these places out, non-Bears invited.
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monster
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Username: Monster

Post Number: 1485
Registered: 7-2002


Posted on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 12:37 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey, that's a good idea Peter, MOL's very own Munchmobile.

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