1313 E Erwin St
Tyler, TX 75702
www.donjuantyler.com
This is a cute little place located downtown on the square in the heart of Tyler. The place is pretty lively with the upper room being an apparently popular place for the younger crowd. The downstairs is festively decorated and very family friendly.
The spread: This is place is distinctly different from other Tex-mex, Mexican restaurants in Tyler. The menu definitely reflects tendency to be more Mexican in cuisine (tortas, caldos, pozole, mole, guisado) rather than Tex-mex (quesidillas, enchiladas, nachos, etc.). There are all sorts dishes that you won't see anywhere else in town. Visit the website for the complete menu.
The verdict: Love this place for the atmosphere and the food. The Tex-mex items can be a little hit or miss, but the Mexican staples are really solid. The portions are big and the prices are very reasonable. My brother enjoyed the pozole (hominy soup) and we both enjoyed the margaritas. I have had the guisada, which is basically a pork stew - it was tender, spicy and savory. The torta is big, which great bread and filling (avocado, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and a meat of your choice - mine was beef fajita). The nachos were humdrum, nothing special. Overall, if you are looking for a more authentic Mexican food experience without visiting the shady part of town, this is your place.
Edible Tyler Roses: 4 out of 5.
No one warned me that this was a real Mexican restaurant and not a Tex-Mex place, so I made the mistake of ordering the cheese enchiladas. I expected the velveeta cheesiness you get with Tex-Mex but got some sort of goat cheese stuffing instead. Plus it was cold. I'm willing to give it another try now that I know to go in expecting true Mexican food. I need to try the tamales--that's my standard for judging a real Mexican restaurant.
ReplyDelete