Students Again

Today, I went to lunch at Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen. At lunch I decided to order the deluxe combination platter with three choices. I figured that I would have some left over for dinner and that I would have the opportunity to taste the most food. The deluxe combination platter started with a soup or salad. I ordered a soup named Albondigas. It was basically a beef broth with a few onions, but it was a very good broth. The best part of the soup was the unusually large meatball inside which was made with both meat and rice. Then on to the three choices for my main course; I chose the sour cream wrapped green chile chicken enchilada, the shredded beef tacos, and the beef enchilada with red sauce. The combination platter also arrived with Spanish rice and refried beans. This meal was reminiscent of any other Mexican meal I have ever tried at franchised restaurants with two exceptions, the Albondigas and the sour cream wrapped green chile chicken enchilada. The sour cream wrapped green chile enchilada was really tasty, and as you may have guessed was completely wrapped in sour cream. I had never tried a Macayo’s before and am usually skeptical of franchised restaurants. I figured this was an opportunity and maybe I would be surprised. Well, I was not surprised except for the previously mentioned two items, but do not misunderstand that I do love Mexican food. The décor reminded me of many other Mexican franchised restaurants; ChiChi’s or Don Pablo’s come to mind. I have been to a few restaurants in Mexico and I would not say that this is very authentic as to what you would find in Mexico. Mexican American restaurants tend to  overemphasize Mexican heritage items in their restaurant. For example, they will put cucarachas, colorful Mexican blankets, and the like on their walls. I just have never found this in Mexico. As for the food, it was not too far off of what you might find in the touristy areas of Mexico, but I would imagine it is not even close to traditional Mexican food or Mexican home cooking. In the end, it was a decent lunch. Looking through the eyes of someone who was trying to look for authenticity, it was probably not the right restaurant. However, I do love  Mexican, or should I say Mexican American, food.