El Mariachi

Merrymeeting · 12-28-2011, 01:21 PM

That's why El Centenario (and I assume El Mariachi -same owner but I have not been there) is one of my favorite resturants. If you want authentic Mexican, it's the best you will find for a long ways.

I was introduced to authentic Mexican cusiine on many business trips to Colorado and Texas. I'd put these 2 amoung any of those.

WakeboardMom · 12-29-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

That's why El Centenario (and I assume El Mariachi -same owner but I have not been there) is one of my favorite resturants. If you want authentic Mexican, it's the best you will find for a long ways.

I was introduced to authentic Mexican cusiine on many business trips to Colorado and Texas. I'd put these 2 amoung any of those.

The owner grew up cooking in a Greek diner/restaurant in New York, just outside of NYC. When he decided to open El Centenario, he hired a Mexican woman to teach him how to cook these dishes.

Jonas Pilot · 12-29-2011, 02:37 PM

New York City!?

WakeboardMom · 12-29-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

New York City!?

I could be mistaken; we had had a margarita or two prior to the conversation. I believe the owner said he had learned the restaurant trade while working at a large Greek diner/restaurant in Westchester county; but the Mexican cooking was learned elsewhere.

patman · 02-18-2012, 09:32 PM

Drove by tonight, and...the banner now reads "Open", and the parking lot was packed.

Overlake97 · 02-28-2012, 06:22 AM

Not the Lakes Region, but two great authentic Mex places in Manchester are:

El Rincon Zacatecano Taqueria
23 reviews
Rating Details
Category: Mexican *[Edit]
10 Lake Ave
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 232-4530

This one (above) is right next to the Verizon Wireless Arena. It's relatively new.

El Mexicano Jr.
9 reviews
Rating Details
Category: Mexican *[Edit]
197 Wilson St
Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 665-9299

This place is VERY authentic, complete with little mexican kids running round and almost nobody speaking english. Both have Mexican TV stations on in the dining rooms. El Mexicano has been there quite a while.

I have not tried El Mariachi, but it's definitely on my "to do" list.

BroadHopper · 02-28-2012, 11:51 AM

Try going to a mexican cantina away from the tourist traps in Mexico. That authentic food. Very bland compare to the americanized version. If you do go to one of these cantinas, do not drink any water unless it is bottled and be prepared for the unsanitary conditions in the dining area.

garysanfran · 02-28-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Try going to a mexican cantina away from the tourist traps in Mexico. That authentic food. Very bland compare to the americanized version. If you do go to one of these cantinas, do not drink any water unless it is bottled and be prepared for the unsanitary conditions in the dining area.

What we call Mexican food here, is very difficult to find in most of Mexico. What the Mexicans call Mexican food there, is very difficult to find here. Burritos are almost non-existent in Mexico.

I once met a little kid in Guadalajara who said his favorite American food was Taco Bell, "because you can't get food like that in Mexico".

Pero todas comida es muy deliciosa norte y sud del borde!

trfour · 02-29-2012, 12:19 AM

You can always make your own slow cooked barbacoa tacos.

How many times have you been to Chipotle, saw their spread of burrito fillings and thought to yourself "man, homemade barbacoa would be so much better than this stuff," then ordered barbacoa anyway? It happens to me all the time, so I finally decided to make my own version of barbacoa--Mexican barbeque beef.
I'm sure there are countless ways to prepare it, depending on the region of Mexico and the availability of a slow cooker. I melded a few recipes together and used some stuff I had on hand. After slow cooking the beef for 10 hours, I served it taco-style in a warm tortilla with some pico de gallo, cheese, chopped cilantro and sour cream. I used simple garnishes so the chipotle and chili powder flavors could really shine through in the beef. Traditionally beef barbacoa is made with the entire cow's head, but for cooking-at-home purposes I used chuck. This is a perfect party recipe because it's easy to make, fairly inexpensive, yields more beef than you can probably handle and everyone loves it.

Slow Cooked Beef Barbacoa Tacos
Ingredients:

For the beef-3 lbs boneless beef chuck
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small can chipotle peppers with adobo sauce
1 tsp chili powder
1 quart chicken stock, use half to start and add more as needed
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup cider vinegar
For the tacos-
small corn tortillas
salsa or pico de gallo
sour cream
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped cilantro

Directions:
1 - Combine all beef ingredients in a slow cooker, adjusting the spicy items to taste. I like to use the whole can of chipotle peppers, but wouldn't recommend it if you're not into spicy foods.
2 - Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours. I cooked mine for 10 but it was definitely ready to go around 8. The longer the better!
3 - Check on it every few hours. If the beef needs more liquid, add the remaining chicken stock to moisten.
4 - After 8 hours, season to taste with salt, pepper and cider vinegar (if you're into that sort of thing).
5 - When the beef is ready to go, assemble the tacos -- warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a paper towel and throwing them in the microwave for a few seconds (or grill them if you want to get really fancy) then add the beef, salsa, cilantro, sour cream and of course, cheese.

Terry
_________________________________________

WakeboardMom · 02-29-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysanfran

What we call Mexican food here, is very difficult to find in most of Mexico. What the Mexicans call Mexican food there, is very difficult to find here. Burritos are almost non-existent in Mexico.

I once met a little kid in Guadalajara who said his favorite American food was Taco Bell, "because you can't get food like that in Mexico".

Pero todas comida es muy deliciosa norte y sud del borde!

My husband's uncle went to China on a business trip and came back saying he didn't enjoy the food. "I know what Chinese food is, and that wasn't it." LOL.

Newbiesaukee · 02-29-2012, 11:36 AM

Both China and Mexico, IMO 2 of the finest cuisines in the world, have very regionalized dishes. There is really no Chinese or Mexican food in that sense. It is like discussing lobster rolls by getting one in Kansas or crab cakes anywhere but Maryland.

Having said that, good food is good food whether it is "authentic" or not and that is all that really matters to me in going to a restaurant.

phoenix · 03-02-2012, 02:01 PM

Don't forget that Mexico is a big country and to say Mexican food is like saying American food vs. southern, Western, etc. Much of Mexican food in US is Sonoran which is just over the border. Food in Mexico City are different and i am sure in other regions.

Follett · 02-29-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlake97

Not the Lakes Region, but two great authentic Mex places in Manchester are:

El Rincon Zacatecano Taqueria
23 reviews
Rating Details
Category: Mexican *[Edit]
10 Lake Ave
Manchester, NH 03101
(603) 232-4530

This one (above) is right next to the Verizon Wireless Arena. It's relatively new.

El Mexicano Jr.
9 reviews
Rating Details
Category: Mexican *[Edit]
197 Wilson St
Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 665-9299

This place is VERY authentic, complete with little mexican kids running round and almost nobody speaking english. Both have Mexican TV stations on in the dining rooms. El Mexicano has been there quite a while.

I have not tried El Mariachi, but it's definitely on my "to do" list.

Yous should try El Jimador. You will nor be disappointed!

Jonas Pilot · 03-02-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WakeboardMom

I could be mistaken; we had had a margarita or two prior to the conversation. I believe the owner said he had learned the restaurant trade while working at a large Greek diner/restaurant in Westchester county; but the Mexican cooking was learned elsewhere.

You must not watch TV enough! It's from a salsa commercial.

WakeboardMom · 03-05-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

You must not watch TV enough! It's from a salsa commercial.

LOL...sorry. The only commercials I see are during Patriots' games and Good Morning America. Other than that, everything I see is TiVo'd.

(Now I'm laughing at my reply, because I can hear my husband watching "Pawn Stars" in the other room. Apparently they were profiled in Time magazine...it doesn't mean I have to like the show. ; )

(And now it's "American Pickers." With commercials. ; )

I will post here again in a couple of weeks, when we have time to get to El Mariachi. I can't wait...drove by today on the way home from Sunday River.

wadden · 03-13-2012, 07:46 AM

Does the restaurant offer take out service? Have not tried it yet but looking forward to it. Thanks.

VitaBene · 03-14-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadden

Does the restaurant offer take out service? Have not tried it yet but looking forward to it. Thanks.

Yes, but unfortunately, I have not found a menu on line.

jeffk · 04-05-2012, 07:06 PM

Since there is no menu available online, I have attached a scanned copy.

wadden · 04-06-2012, 01:28 PM

Thank you, Jeffk!!

jeffk · 04-29-2012, 12:16 PM

I went to dinner at El Mariachi Thursday with my Tai Chi group and spouses, 17 of us. Service and food was great. One person ordered the tableside prepared Guacomole and shared it. It was very good. I ordered the combo Enchiladas, 3 different toppings and I loved all of them. The only disappointment I heard was from a person who ordered the Mole Poblano. They had never tried it before and it wasn't what they expected. It's chocolate sauce covered chicken but Mole is not sweet so he didn't get what he expected. I had the Mole sauce on one of my enchiladas and it was very good and another person had the same Mole Poblano dish and enjoyed it. All a matter of tastes. I also had a white wine Sangria which was nice. I also went wild and had fried bananas in a caramel sauce for dessert. Yum! The caramel had a very rich flavor which I really liked. Other dishes ordered, Burrito and Fajitas. I'm not sure what the rest of the table ordered but there were no complaints.

We had called ahead to let them know we were coming with a large group and they handled us with ease. We all had a really good time.

mrschefbrown · 04-29-2012, 03:20 PM

Jeff & I took some of our staff to El Mariachi last Sunday and it was fabulous! The service was excellent and the BEST Mexican we have had in NH. Can't wait to go back!

02-28-2012, 06:22 AM	#6
Overlake97 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 246 Thanks: 146 Thanked 58 Times in 42 Posts	Two authentic Mexican places in Manchester Not the Lakes Region, but two great authentic Mex places in Manchester are: El Rincon Zacatecano Taqueria 23 reviews Rating Details Category: Mexican [Edit] 10 Lake Ave Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 232-4530 This one (above) is right next to the Verizon Wireless Arena. It's relatively new. El Mexicano Jr. 9 reviews Rating Details Category: Mexican [Edit] 197 Wilson St Manchester, NH 03103 (603) 665-9299 This place is VERY authentic, complete with little mexican kids running round and almost nobody speaking english. Both have Mexican TV stations on in the dining rooms. El Mexicano has been there quite a while. I have not tried El Mariachi, but it's definitely on my "to do" list.

02-28-2012, 11:51 AM	#7
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,570 Thanks: 3,205 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Authetic mexican food. Try going to a mexican cantina away from the tourist traps in Mexico. That authentic food. Very bland compare to the americanized version. If you do go to one of these cantinas, do not drink any water unless it is bottled and be prepared for the unsanitary conditions in the dining area. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

02-29-2012, 12:19 AM	#9
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Should You Not Be Able To Find It In Your Neighborhood You can always make your own slow cooked barbacoa tacos. How many times have you been to Chipotle, saw their spread of burrito fillings and thought to yourself "man, homemade barbacoa would be so much better than this stuff," then ordered barbacoa anyway? It happens to me all the time, so I finally decided to make my own version of barbacoa--Mexican barbeque beef. I'm sure there are countless ways to prepare it, depending on the region of Mexico and the availability of a slow cooker. I melded a few recipes together and used some stuff I had on hand. After slow cooking the beef for 10 hours, I served it taco-style in a warm tortilla with some pico de gallo, cheese, chopped cilantro and sour cream. I used simple garnishes so the chipotle and chili powder flavors could really shine through in the beef. Traditionally beef barbacoa is made with the entire cow's head, but for cooking-at-home purposes I used chuck. This is a perfect party recipe because it's easy to make, fairly inexpensive, yields more beef than you can probably handle and everyone loves it. Slow Cooked Beef Barbacoa Tacos Ingredients: For the beef-3 lbs boneless beef chuck 1 large onion, chopped 1 jalapeno, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 small can chipotle peppers with adobo sauce 1 tsp chili powder 1 quart chicken stock, use half to start and add more as needed 1 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp kosher salt 2 bay leaves 1/2 cup cider vinegar For the tacos- small corn tortillas salsa or pico de gallo sour cream shredded cheddar cheese chopped cilantro Directions: 1 - Combine all beef ingredients in a slow cooker, adjusting the spicy items to taste. I like to use the whole can of chipotle peppers, but wouldn't recommend it if you're not into spicy foods. 2 - Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours. I cooked mine for 10 but it was definitely ready to go around 8. The longer the better! 3 - Check on it every few hours. If the beef needs more liquid, add the remaining chicken stock to moisten. 4 - After 8 hours, season to taste with salt, pepper and cider vinegar (if you're into that sort of thing). 5 - When the beef is ready to go, assemble the tacos -- warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a paper towel and throwing them in the microwave for a few seconds (or grill them if you want to get really fancy) then add the beef, salsa, cilantro, sour cream and of course, cheese. Terry _________________________________________ __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

02-29-2012, 11:36 AM	#11
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,353 Thanks: 946 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	Both China and Mexico, IMO 2 of the finest cuisines in the world, have very regionalized dishes. There is really no Chinese or Mexican food in that sense. It is like discussing lobster rolls by getting one in Kansas or crab cakes anywhere but Maryland. Having said that, good food is good food whether it is "authentic" or not and that is all that really matters to me in going to a restaurant. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

03-02-2012, 02:01 PM	#12
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,548 Thanks: 60 Thanked 273 Times in 192 Posts	Don't forget that Mexico is a big country and to say Mexican food is like saying American food vs. southern, Western, etc. Much of Mexican food in US is Sonoran which is just over the border. Food in Mexico City are different and i am sure in other regions. __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

12-28-2011, 01:21 PM	#1
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,226 Thanks: 302 Thanked 800 Times in 368 Posts	That's why El Centenario (and I assume El Mariachi -same owner but I have not been there) is one of my favorite resturants. If you want authentic Mexican, it's the best you will find for a long ways. I was introduced to authentic Mexican cusiine on many business trips to Colorado and Texas. I'd put these 2 amoung any of those.

12-29-2011, 02:37 PM	#3
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	New York City!?

02-18-2012, 09:32 PM	#5
patman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NH Posts: 379 Thanks: 56 Thanked 156 Times in 78 Posts	Drove by tonight, and...the banner now reads "Open", and the parking lot was packed.

The Following User Says Thank You to patman For This Useful Post:
WakeboardMom (02-19-2012)

The Following User Says Thank You to phoenix For This Useful Post:
Jonas Pilot (03-02-2012)

03-13-2012, 07:46 AM	#16
wadden Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 77 Thanks: 19 Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts	Take out at El Mariachi? Does the restaurant offer take out service? Have not tried it yet but looking forward to it. Thanks.

04-05-2012, 07:06 PM	#18
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 205 Thanked 431 Times in 248 Posts	El Mariachi Menu Since there is no menu available online, I have attached a scanned copy. Attached Images

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to jeffk For This Useful Post:
ChocolateGypsy (04-05-2012), diz (04-05-2012), GsChinadoll (04-06-2012), Jonas Pilot (04-06-2012), WakeboardMom (04-06-2012)

04-06-2012, 01:28 PM	#19
wadden Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 77 Thanks: 19 Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts	Thank you, Jeffk!!

04-29-2012, 12:16 PM	#20
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 205 Thanked 431 Times in 248 Posts	Dinner review I went to dinner at El Mariachi Thursday with my Tai Chi group and spouses, 17 of us. Service and food was great. One person ordered the tableside prepared Guacomole and shared it. It was very good. I ordered the combo Enchiladas, 3 different toppings and I loved all of them. The only disappointment I heard was from a person who ordered the Mole Poblano. They had never tried it before and it wasn't what they expected. It's chocolate sauce covered chicken but Mole is not sweet so he didn't get what he expected. I had the Mole sauce on one of my enchiladas and it was very good and another person had the same Mole Poblano dish and enjoyed it. All a matter of tastes. I also had a white wine Sangria which was nice. I also went wild and had fried bananas in a caramel sauce for dessert. Yum! The caramel had a very rich flavor which I really liked. Other dishes ordered, Burrito and Fajitas. I'm not sure what the rest of the table ordered but there were no complaints. We had called ahead to let them know we were coming with a large group and they handled us with ease. We all had a really good time.

04-29-2012, 03:20 PM	#21
mrschefbrown Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 10 Thanks: 13 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Jeff & I took some of our staff to El Mariachi last Sunday and it was fabulous! The service was excellent and the BEST Mexican we have had in NH. Can't wait to go back!