anyone been to el mariachi on broadway?

there are only a handful of reviews on metromix, but all rave about it. I could find no mention here, and only a brief one on ch. I was considering tango sur tonight, but due to such widely varying reports, I might pass and try something different.

El Mariachi
Chicago, IL 60657
3420 N. Broadway
773-549-7020

okay, no takers. I went last night with my girlfriend, and we both found it to be a very good walkable option for us. I wouldn't call it a destination, but give it a try if you live nearby.

it's a clean and neat hole-in-the-wall with just 10 tables, but mostly empty last night. our waitress was very friendly and the service was good. I ordered a beer and it came with a cool boot-shaped mug. the complimentary salsas were tasty, especially the roasted salsa. the chips were perfectly cooked (fried, a nice change of pace from our usual haunt mamacita's health-conscious baked).

for our appetizer we had queso fundido with chorizo, and although probably not a homemade chorizo, we really enjoyed the dish - nicely browned on top, basically a big greasy glob of cheese and sausage to wrap in a tortilla (sadly not homemade; is it that much extra effort?). amusingly, there was a single slice of tomato about an inch in diameter on the edge of the dish that looked more like a mistake.

we decided to keep it simple for our first time and while she had an order of tacos, I had chicken enchiladas with red mole. you won't go home hungry - the portions are large. the refried beans were notable, the rice nothing special. both our dishes were good, especially her steak taco. the mole was fine for a $10 entree.

the rest of the menu looked pretty solid, albeit with no "scary" items like eyeballs or tripe, and a decent selection of seafood from catfish to shrimp. prices ranged from about $8-13 for entrees.

I've been to the El Mariachi location at 3829 N. Broadway (773/327-5106), which is handy if one is going to see a show at Strawdog Theatre, upstairs. Your account would describe that place pretty well, too. On nice days, they open the entire front to the street. They also have especially nice salsa and chips as a gratis starter.

I believe there's an El Mariachi in Cicero, too.

There is a storefront on the west side of Broadway, between Sheridan and Irving, that is papered up and has a sign saying El Mariachi is coming there soon. I don't know if this is another proliferation or perhaps the one nearby at 3829 is moving. We'll see.

I have found it a run-of-the-mill sit-down Mexican restaurant, a little overpriced for what it is. Not bad by any means, but nothing special, no better than the carryout taco and burrito joint up the street.