When I lament the dearth of Mexican food in Key West well meaning people point me to Chico's, a Stock Island institution. Chico's is very good but it is also Mexican based on some other cuisine than that which a Californian might be used to calling "Mexican."
Mexico is a vast country, as long as the US is wide with half the population of the United States with as many cuisines as any country that size might boast. My wife, a native Californian, has very clear ideas about what constitutes "good Mexican" food, and the cuisine of Veracruz does not satisfy her culinary homesickness. Amigos might get a lot closer, and when she gets back from Santa Cruz we might come down here together and see what she thinks. I liked it.
Amigos occupies the space formerly known as the Iguana Café across the street from Captain Tony's and the way the counters are lined up facing Greene Street makes this a fine people watching station. It is a responsible place too, of course, with the current obsession with to go cups not being kosher.
Normal food and abnormal gringo food is all there on the enormous permanent plastic laminated menu.
I am not fond of making my own food when it comes to ordering so I ducked the build yourself a taco exercise and ordered a carnitas, barbecued pork, burrito for ten bucks. There's plenty to read as you wait.
And seeing as how I was dining with two gay men my puerile sense of humor came to the fore. One thought it was as funny as I did, the other frowned.
This is an excellent people watching spot, as I mentioned, and I saw this person in a pink wife beater which i thought beats pink Crocs hands down.
One of my dining fashion consultants said it was the perfect accessory, as was this:
I ignored the suggestions and focused on the food, hand made where the tacos are square. A newspaper profile some time back said the owner of the place had spent time in Mexico and everything here is as authentic as he could make it.
Incidentally they also offer a slim bottle of Mexican coke which some people swear by as it's made with cane sugar. I have noticed coke tastes different south of the border but it's not something I'll travel for or pay $2.25 for...
The accessories are hand made by a dude whose photo is on the wall.
If you need salsa they have a couple of vats up at the front. We skipped the chips so I could not say what it tastes like but I'll bet it's just fine, based on the actual food itself.
"Oh my God," Chuck moaned when he saw the mountains of ingredients being wedged into a tortilla.
This is how you get your food at my favorite tacqueria in Santa Cruz (Tacqueria Vallarta).
22 ounces of Negra Modelo on tap was $6 and lunch was served and woofed.
You get a bowl of salsa and all the sauces you could want to try to make it taste as hot as you like. The Rectal Rocket was quite hot but in a good way and I actually ended up enjoying it with no ill effects later. In the neighbors' spot I noticed a chimichanga looking exactly as I expect one to look while in the background you can see the slim expensive cane sugar coke.
I will be interested to see what my wife thinks because I like this place.
Mexico is a vast country, as long as the US is wide with half the population of the United States with as many cuisines as any country that size might boast. My wife, a native Californian, has very clear ideas about what constitutes "good Mexican" food, and the cuisine of Veracruz does not satisfy her culinary homesickness. Amigos might get a lot closer, and when she gets back from Santa Cruz we might come down here together and see what she thinks. I liked it.Amigos occupies the space formerly known as the Iguana Café across the street from Captain Tony's and the way the counters are lined up facing Greene Street makes this a fine people watching station. It is a responsible place too, of course, with the current obsession with to go cups not being kosher.Normal food and abnormal gringo food is all there on the enormous permanent plastic laminated menu.I am not fond of making my own food when it comes to ordering so I ducked the build yourself a taco exercise and ordered a carnitas, barbecued pork, burrito for ten bucks. There's plenty to read as you wait.And seeing as how I was dining with two gay men my puerile sense of humor came to the fore. One thought it was as funny as I did, the other frowned.This is an excellent people watching spot, as I mentioned, and I saw this person in a pink wife beater which i thought beats pink Crocs hands down.One of my dining fashion consultants said it was the perfect accessory, as was this:I ignored the suggestions and focused on the food, hand made where the tacos are square. A newspaper profile some time back said the owner of the place had spent time in Mexico and everything here is as authentic as he could make it.Incidentally they also offer a slim bottle of Mexican coke which some people swear by as it's made with cane sugar. I have noticed coke tastes different south of the border but it's not something I'll travel for or pay $2.25 for...The accessories are hand made by a dude whose photo is on the wall.If you need salsa they have a couple of vats up at the front. We skipped the chips so I could not say what it tastes like but I'll bet it's just fine, based on the actual food itself."Oh my God," Chuck moaned when he saw the mountains of ingredients being wedged into a tortilla.This is how you get your food at my favorite tacqueria in Santa Cruz (Tacqueria Vallarta).22 ounces of Negra Modelo on tap was $6 and lunch was served and woofed.You get a bowl of salsa and all the sauces you could want to try to make it taste as hot as you like. The Rectal Rocket was quite hot but in a good way and I actually ended up enjoying it with no ill effects later. In the neighbors' spot I noticed a chimichanga looking exactly as I expect one to look while in the background you can see the slim expensive cane sugar coke.I will be interested to see what my wife thinks because I like this place.
11 comments:
My wife, ever the entrepreneur, suggested that when we move back to the Keys next year that we might have to open a Mexican food joint because the previous options "sucked" - my lovely wife's word. Now it looks like we don't have to. Good thing too since I can't cook worth a damn.
Living in the North Park area of San Diego, I have no shortage of quality Mexican food in my area; from vegetarian and seafood, to street style taquerias serving al pastor tacos and "TJ style" hotdogs. ISounds like Amigo's is more authentic than the other places that carry the usual Mexican fare that caters to the general American palate. Thanks for the review.
I admire entrepreneurs as I don't have an entrepreneurial bone in my body. I am a wage slave, preferably for the government.
The salsa was so-so; the tortillas a bit small for my taste. I like a place where it's possible to stretch out and linger - a good Mex joint should have the ability to enjoy a languid afternoon, and this new one is more of a lunch counter.
Finally - the corner it's on is the last place I like to go in Key West - far too many turistas mucking about.
Carmen's (although its on the other side of the world) is much better.
Had the opportunity to taste their creations at "Taste of Key West" this year, and my San Antonio Jones was well served. I will struggle downtown and enjoy their offerings again, now that you've mentioned it.
I will too. I like looking out at the street and watching the antics of the people at Capt Tony's.
2 quotes for the hot sauce, (this one is from my old boss's father in law from Montserrat) "75 degrees going and 150 coming out" - must be said with the island accent), and (this one from a colorful character in NOLA during a chili cook off), "Call the wife to put the Charmin in the freezer if you use my home made hot sauce".
As for Coke with real sugar at the normal price, look for it in the Jewish food section at the grocery store during Jewish holidays (apparently corn syrup is considered leaven).
You are so full of it (coming and going).
That is what my wife usually tells me (being full of it).
I would respectfully disagree with Chuck and the Pheebs about a Mexican place being a good place to lounge around, as my preferred Mexican experience is even less languid than the lunch-counter style of Amigos ...
It involves standing in a dirt lot in the eastern suburbs of Denver next to a truck, trying to suck down the foil-wrapped tacos as quickly as possible so none of the fixins can be lost.
But everyone's different.
In California Mexican food is fast food done right. I loved seeing my burrito come wrapped in tin foil. That's how I expect it. And if the best Mexican joint is off Duval I make the most of it and I got some good pictures of people coming and going.
Dottie and Page live in Key West we enjoy their food and cold beer with the right price for Key West. Everything in Key West is high but this place well worth it and the view is great. Their staff is great - say high to Kelly, she is a great actor and what a talent.
Nice job!
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