El Mexicano Restaurant

El Mexicano Restaurant is a small place located in the scariest part of South East Atlanta -- Moreland Avenue. It's in the darkest, most run down parking lot on the street. The building itself doesn't exactly give off the warmest vibe either. However, once you get out of your car, you can smell the exotic spices coming from the kitchen inside.

When you walk through the doors you see small four and six top tables with place holders that sport 

Mexican playing cards. It adds a fun cultural aspect to the dining experience. With the recently added bar in the heart of everything you can see their recently claimed liquor license is going to good use. The tequila covers the bar and six shelves behind it ranging from Patron to Rot Gut -- either one tastes delicious in their margaritas. The best alcoholic drink there is the Michelada. It's the equivalent of a Bloody Mary -- but Mexican. It contains Mexican beer and tequila instead of Vodka, and while it tastes way different from a Bloody Mary, the idea is basically the same. If you're on your lunch break and want to stay away from the adult beverages, I highly suggest the Horchata, the delicious rice milk and cinnamon drink for those who are lactose intolerant/vegan, is so sweet and so delicious, I could probably drink the entire tub that they make it in. While they have these special drinks, they also offer Coca-Cola products (even Mexican coke... you know, the sugary kind.)

Now, if El Mexicano is sort of sounding like your typical Frontera or run of the mill Mexican restaurant, I ask you to think again. El Mexicano offers authentic mexican dishes, ranging from authentic Mexican Street Tacos, Molcajetes, Sopes and Tostadas. My favorite combination so far has been their Chimichanga Al Pastor (Covered in Cheese) and a mexican street taco. You can do combinations, much like at other restaurants, but here it's just better. 

When you first sit down, a server greets you in broken English and brings you home made salsa and fresh chips. While they give you ample time to parooze the menu, they also offer many suggestions. The Guacamole and Cheese dip are the best options as far as starters go in my opinion. You get a boat load of both. Since they don't skimp on portions, the meals that you order when your appetizer arrive before you even get close to the bottom. For my friends and I, this is rarely a problem. With extra guac and extra queso, what could go wrong?? 

The food always comes out piping hot and smelling delicious. And if you think the appetizers are big, wait until you see the portion of the main entrees. On a large oval plate about the size of three footballs comes out filled almost to the edges of rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, guac (if you're lucky), queso and whatever else you ordered. Whenever I get a combo it normally comes on two plates. I highly recommend that even if you're going as a party of two, you might want to get a four person table. 

Since these portions are so large, I almost never make it to desert, but I can highly recommend the Sopapilla or the Flan. Both are amazing and normally come with ice cream if your are super nice to whoever your server is. 

In short, while this restaurant looks about as run down as the gas station and day care across the street, it is one of the best discoveries that I've made so far in Atlanta. I frequent this place a lot when I'm feeling brave (I'm lactose intolerant). 

Best days to go: Dia de los muertos, Tuesdays and Thursdays if you don't want to see a rush.