La Cabanita - Montrose - What to get?

[ozzygee]

Going there tomorrow night. Let me know the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Thanks,
Oz

[ozzygee]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I had the chuletas in pasilla sauce; the pork chops were very good, the sauce was amazing. A few others tried the mole enchiladas and mole tamales, and while both were good, I found the mole a bit too sweet. The margaritas were tasty (and strong, even the regular ones).

The ambiance was homey with a touch of refinement. I'm not a big fan of mariachis, but the instrumental trio they had was more jazzy and low-key and didn't make conversations impossible.
Overall I would say it was a very good experience, good food, and good service.

Definitely would go back.

[Will Owen]

Uh-oh, Mariachi Alert! What night was this? Do they have them every night? And if not, when? I really need to know, because we've been wanting to try this place, but when the mariachis come in the door we leave ASAP. Those and belly-dancers...

[ozzygee]

It was last night (Friday). Technically, they weren't really mariachis; it was more of a jazz trio. A bass and maybe 2 guitars. No brass. Very low-key. I hate mariachis during dinner and I was fine.

[Will Owen]

Okay, that's acceptable IF they're good. We went to Cabrera's once (okay, just don't even ask) and there was a "jazz" guy with an all-the-whistles computerized keyboard and a voice I'm sure he thought was a good one, though he was seriously mistaken about that. OTOH my kid brother plays bass with small jazz combos in various Nashville restaurants, and that's always a treat.

[JimN]

My favorite dish is the Mole Verde. Really interested, tangy, spicy, green Mole sauce. You can get it with Chicken or Pork; I prefer the latter.

[jazzlover]

The pork chops - very good, generous portion, tasty sauce

But for me, the carnitas wins every time. Come hungry!

[pjsace]

I went for my first time last week. My girl andI got the Relleno Trio, which is a sampler of all of their Rellenos. That was an amazing dish. The Chuletas de Pasilla was quite amazing as well. Great tender pork chops with a lovely sauce with good depth, spice (could have been hotter for me) and very savory (it was salty but the crema on top balanced it out).......I was quite impressed with La Cabanita, it is second only to La Superica in my book, but probably equal because of the full service nature and the margs. Can't wait to go back!

[chowchi1]

If you like pork chops the Chulteas en Pasilla - pork chops with a pasilla sauce is simply delicious - tender and tasty with home made corn tortillas, black beans and rice. The picadillo tacos are delicious as well. Almost everything is great here. The food here is nothing like the "chain places" -- it is much, much better -- no comparison!! Was just there this past weekend.

[chrisheadrick]

If it's a cold night, get the caldo de pollo....sure, it sounds basic, but it's good comfort food. To me, it tastes like a Mexican mother made it for me.

The Chicken A La Cabanita is a pepper stuffed with ground chicken with nuts and raisins...good stuff...

...and an enchilada in mole.

There's my typical meal there: a small Caldo with a enchilada in brown mole and a Cabanita stuffed pepper a la carte on the side. Three different tastes. Don't forget sangria, which is impossible to pour out of those carafes without getting ice cubes everywhere...

[Cantona]

As long as you are happy with food only a little above the quality of chain Mexican places you'll be ok.

[Das Ubergeek]

You must be thinking of a different place -- the place I'm talking about is miles ahead of any of the chain places. El Torito isn't worthy to clean the boots of the patrons of La Cabanita.

[joea]

I have said it before, and I 'll say it again. I have been dragged to this restaurant by many, and have ALWAYS left completely underwhelmed. I even live close and would rather go to El Charro up the street for some regular old 'everything covered in enchilada sauce' type mexican food and better drinks

[WildSwede]

I'm not a particular fan, either, but I will be going next week with some friends who will love it. Although they are better than the chains.

[Griller141]

An interesting and unpopular observation. Which I share. We have been going to this place since they were on Foothill in La Canada. At first it was a revelation - we went every week for months on end. After they moved to Verdugo Road (years ago) things began deteriorating. Indifferent service, soggy chips, lukewarm food; the freshness and zing sagged. Have sworn the place off for the past two years. Maybe they were previously so good that they suffer by comparison to their own past performance. Margaritas were, however, the best in the area.

[ipsedixit]

I have to agree with this sentiment. Never been all that enamored with La Cabinita.

Best part about my last visit was seeing Kathy Vara (from Channel 7 Eyewitness News) ...

[mrpullings]

Rajas con crema w/ warm tortillas

[Alimentary My Dear Watson]

The margaritas are good as well, imho.

[ozzygee]

Double check!

[Das Ubergeek]

The good: enchiladas en mole; anything with rajas; anything with their picadillo, especially the chiles rellenos; chiles en nogada if they have them that day; caldo de pollo.

The bad: occasionally the chips aren't fried in hot enough oil and they get soggy and greasy as all hell. Do not accept inferior chips! Send them back.

The ugly: the fights for tables sometimes. Throw those elbows!!

[ozzygee]

Check. Thanks!