SF 2k8, Day 5: Lunch – Plaza Garibaldi

I was particularly excited this trip to go to an authentic Mexican restaurant, having had a good experience last year just wandering into one randomly.  I emailed a friend of my brother’s from the area and asked him to direct me to an authentic place.  Not to sound like an ingrate, because he sent me a bunch of links to various places, but eventually settled on this one when I said I wanted to have authentic Mexican. 

I guess he saw a bit of my princess side when we’d all hung out once a few months ago and decided to aim me towards this place, a real restaurant.  I hadn’t thought much about it until afterwards, I realized I had been expecting a taqueria.  It’s okay, that’s my fault from my own ignorance of Mexican restaurants (that there are your regular restaurants and more divey places; I guess not ignorance so much as it just didn’t occur to me?). 

The menu wasn’t expensive at all, and though it was after 2 pm, the waitress directed me to this page of specials.  Of course, continuing my search for fish taco perfection, I ordered the tacos de la casa (house tacos) with fish, $6.99 for lunch. 

I was actually the only person in the restaurant, since it was once again, an “off hour” – just after 2 pm.  Its location in a part of San Jose with which I’m not familiar – seemingly somewhat far away from most of the tech companies, and not in Santana Row (where BF said all the restaurants that his coworkers go to are) – probably added to that as well.  My server was attentive though.

She brought me chips quickly in these cute plastic bowls designed to look like the stone bowls used frequently in Mexican restaurants.  The chips were extremely standard, I’m pretty sure not house-made, and the salsa had a nice kick of heat to it.  I couldn’t eat too much of it actually.

My fish tacos came quickly.  I suppose, had I thought about it some more, I might have realized that in California (and Arizona, apparently), the fish would more likely be grilled than fried, since fried is sooo not healthy.  This wouldn’t be a deterrent to me – grilled fish can be quite lovely – but it was a little bland, not enough oomph to it.  I added squirts of lime juice to it, and that helped a little bit, but it still wasn’t quite as tasty as I would have liked.

The rice, however, was super light and fluffy, and went deliciously with lime juice.  I also mixed some with the taco itself, and with the beans.  Yummers.

The beans were super lush, creamy and delicious, unless you’re into wetter/looser beans (where the beans are more easily identified as individual beans, and/or there’s more liquid).  I was perfectly happy with these, sprinkled with cotija cheese as they were. 

Gratuitous shots of the mehhh fish taco.

Look at that taco, laying there all wantonly, waiting for me to devour it hungrily.

So I did.

I had also ordered guacamole, which I had to remind the waitress of, and then she said Oh no! I forgot it! and brought it out nearly straightaway.

Unfortunately, this didn’t come with more of those house-made chips you see parading down the line.  Since it was served after I’d finished eating, my mind kept thinking “Ooh, avocado ice cream,” though it wasn’t cold (not like ice cream, anyway).  See my three scoops?

I dug in quite eagerly, knowing full well that I was easily satisfying my full day’s fat requirement.  It’s okay.  Vacation food eaten doesn’t count towards weight gain, does it???  (Judging by how I feel a few weeks later, and by how my pants are fitting (or aren’t, rather), and by my scale… YES THEY DO!!!  Boo…)

The guacamole itself was creamy with chunks of onion and tomato, and did not contain garlic (which could be a bonus for some people, or a detriment).  I liked it, but found myself unable to finish it after 2 scoops (thank goodness or I might be waddling a bit more right now).  I liked it very much, but wished it were served with more of those very thick house chips – they were much better suited for scooping than the thin chips you see in the first picture.

Lunch cost me $16 with a generous tip.

Yvo says: I’m not sure I would return; they boast live music on evenings, something of which I am not a fan, and the prices were alright – cheaper for lunch (and thanks to the waitress for letting me get in on that, even though it was past the time frame noted), but I’d have to go with a few other people to justify the guacamole order.  All in all, tasty stuff – I would want to try something else besides the fish taco, since that part was disappointing – but it came very highly recommended, so I imagine there are things there that are absolutely delicious.
recommended

SF 2k8, previously:
Bi-Rite Creamery
King of Thai Noodle House
House of Prime Rib
New Asia
Ghirardelli Square
In-n-Out
The Country Way
Joe’s Cable Car
Honu’s Island Grinds & Bar