Late Night Mexican
Written: Dec 14 '06
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Pros: Comida deliciosa in Oakland!
Cons: If it's not the mariachi, it's the jukebox!
The Bottom Line: Guadalajara Grill - good Mexican food - open late.
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| megugrrrl's Full Review: Guadalajara Restaurant |
Across the street from the Fruitvale BART station is Gaudalajara Restaurant, a moderately popular sit-down Mexican restaurant. It's slowly becoming a favorite standby of our's because the food is consistently good, and it's convenient for drivers (they have a big parking lot - that they share with a taco truck) and they're open late (2 or 3AM)
Food & Service
They have a friendly waitstaff that can take your order in Spanish or English, and their menu carries the staples that we're all familiar with - burrito/enchilada/fajita/taco, plus other down home goodies like bistec, seafood specials, caldo de res, and breakfast!
You'll immediately get a basket of thick and greasy tortilla chips to munch on while looking through the menu. The standard burrito/enchilada/fajita fare is pretty no-frills and can be enjoyed a la carte or in full and half orders. Full orders are without a doubt too huge for one person to eat - you'll get a burrito the size of a small log served with tasty (yet light) rice and refried beans, sometimes with a little iceburg lettuce "salad" with cotija cheese on top. (Standard fare runs around $9, with half orders slightly less.)
The "especialidades" lean more towards meat and seafood. We've had the shrimp with a tangy diablo sauce, and the steak ranchero. The specials that we've gotten are really quite delicious, but not enough for us to order them again. Also, while the carnitas plate is truly yummy, I prefer mine with a little touch of crisp on the edges. I still haven't ordered the deep fried fish (I think it's snapper) because noone wants to share it with me. (These also run a little over $10.) The ingredients are very fresh and the dishes are all good - and if I had to find something to complain about, it would be average quality of the beef - even in the carne asada. But hey, average isn't horrible.
They also serve horchata (the sugary sweet rice milk), juegos (juice) and since they have a full bar, huge margaritas ($3 during their Happy Hour) and Corona are favorites. For dessert I always get the flan ($4-ish) because it's made just the way I like - sweet, thick, and creamy. You get a nice cold square topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. I think they offer cake - not too tempting -
Service is warm and helpful. We usually go after 9PM and never have problems, but when it gets busy, its busy, and sometimes the kitchen is a little slow.
The Scene
Everyone seems to eat at Guadalajara Grill - Oakland cops, guys coming from soccer practice, young families, hipsters, vaqueros, and live-work loft people... The restaurant is nice and clean - it's more of a restaurant than a taqueria, but isn't the kind of place you'd want to take anyone to impress, or anyone impressive. Of course the later it gets, things get a little scruffy, and you'll probably spot a table of guys drinking a bucket of bottled beer, picking at some deep fried snapper, and trying to flirt with the server.
The restaurant is large - there are dozens of tables that traveling mariachi bands and rose vendors can weave their ways through. On some nights there are two or even three mariachi groups vying for requests, and even though they don't play over each other, it can get pretty loud and chaotic, especially when instruments are not in tune!
If you ever find yourself in East Oakland past 9PM, and have the hankering for some good Mexican food, Guadalajara Grill is the place.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
megugrrrl
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Oakland
Reviews written: 149
Trusted by: 317 members
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