Mexico

Mexico returns in front of the rest of the Pavilion.

Each item is a slightly different take on what the Mexico Marketplace has offered for years.

Taco de Camarón: Battered Shrimp served over a Flour Tortilla with Crispy Purple Cabbage and Chipotle Mayonnaise – $5.75

I’ve always felt like Mexico’s tacos were too small to recommend more highly, but the Marketplace has improved on what’s served inside the tortilla, even if said tortilla remains small. You’ll receive four lightly fried shrimp sitting underneath a creamy, spicy chipotle mayo with the purple cabbage adding a little crunch along with the pico. I think the cabbage makes for a more pleasing overall flavor compared to last year’s piquant red onion. We’re still talking about four bites for $5.75 though.

Taste: 8/10

Value: 5/10

Barbacoa Enchilada: Corn Tortilla filled with Beef Barbacoa and covered with Oaxaca Mole – $5.50

Pictured at the bottom, we liked this enchilada a lot with the subtle chocolate coffee sweetness of the mole sauce contrasting nicely with the fried onions on top. The beef inside was tender and plentiful, making this dish better than any of the other tacos that I’ve tried here over the last five years. It’s worth stopping to try.

Taste: 8/10

Value: 7/10

Flan de Chocolate Abuelita: Mexican Chocolate Custard – $3.95

Mexico did a nice job with this year’s Flan and it “feels” like each one was made individually rather than prepared in much larger quantities and scooped into the tin. Underneath the caramelized top, you’ll find a rich, natural tasting custard that’s enhanced by the pinch of cinnamon and a faint spiciness on the back end. It was a standout dessert.

Taste: 9/10

Value: 8/10

Bohemia Pilsner with Floater – $4.75

For the Festival, Mexico is serving six ounces of Bohemia Pilsner with a splash of chocolate liqueur, which sounds kind of strange at first blush, but works surprisingly well.

Mezcal Pineapple Margarita on the Rocks – $9.75

The Pineapple Margarita is far sweeter than the Jalapeno Margarita and has a slight smokiness from the mezcal, but it’s almost completely washed away from the juice. If you’re looking for a sweet cocktail in the area then this fits the bill, but I’m not sure how much of a punch it provides and there isn’t much flavor from the liquor.

Jalapeño Margarita on the Rocks – $9

The Jalapeno Margarita is nearly as good as what they serve inside Cava del Tequila these days with a pronounced, spicy jalapeno flavor and the distinct flavor of cheap tequila that continues from the nose through the end of each sip. It’s the best cocktail in the area for the money, which is perhaps not saying much. China up ahead offers better drinks.