Let me preface this review with the following:
1) Born and raised in the American Southwest, where Mexican influence reigns supreme in the Grand Canyon State, I was spoilt for choice with an abundance of mouth-watering and tantalising flavours of real Mexican cuisine. I have extremely high standards.
2) I am open-minded; however, I prefer dining in independent local restaurants versus faceless chain restaurants. I will try anything once, as long as it doesn’t kill me.
3) Every Mexican restaurant I have been to in this fair country, which claims to be authentic or original, has been utterly disappointing; even a joke at times.
During an outing with a couple of friends, they suggested Chiquito in Springfield Quay. Alarm bells were ringing after stepping into this “Original” Mexican Grill and Bar. After perusing the menu of “Authentic” Mexican food, I tried my hardest not to whinge. Burgers, ribs, pasta and fish & chips?! Cajun, jambalaya, pesto and hoisin sauce?! Seriously, in a Mexican restaurant claiming to be original and authentic?
After critiquing the menu, I reluctantly ordered the spicy chicken burrito, and my boyfriend had the Cajun beef chimichangas.
Served in a terra cotta bowl, my spicy chicken burrito was hot out of the oven. As my knife sliced through the oven-crisp flour tortilla, steam escaped out of the burrito. After a few bites, I concluded the following:
- Chicken was a dry and bland
- Chicken and salsa lacked kick and flavour
I sampled the boyfriend’s hefty serving of Cajun beef chimichangas. As they say, things taste better when they are fried! It is rumoured to have been first created in my home state, by accidentally dropping a burrito into a deep fryer. Chiquito’s attempt of the chimichanga is noted, because of the nice flaky tortilla. However, after a forkful of the “Cajun” beef, I was underwhelmed by the flavour and dry slow-cooked meat. The Cajun flavour was nowhere near to the Louisiana cuisine I have enjoyed. It lacked the flavour of the holy trinity (bell pepper, onion and celery) and hints of bay leaf, parsley, green onions and cayenne pepper. I was disappointed in this Cajun-Mexican fusion.
Overall, the food was mediocre and underwhelming. However, Britons and locals seem to enjoy it (they are a national chain after all). Though I cannot call myself a Chiquito fan, it might be suitable for those who are unfamiliar with the true intoxicating flavours of Mexican cuisine. The service was pleasant and efficient, no complaints there. Lastly, the price; let’s put it this way: the uninspiring chicken burrito cost £10, whereas in Arizona you can easily get a burrito of better (authentic) quality and taste WITH sides of rice and beans for under £4. Mexican cuisine is very down-to-earth, incorporating inexpensive ingredients, but result is fantastic flavours that make my mouth and tummy sing. Therefore, I find it hard to pay double or triple the prices back in Arizona. Glasgow (or the UK for that matter) is definitely no cradle for Mexican delicacies. So when I’m in dire need of Mexican, I will stick to making it myself compliments of my trusty tortilla press and spices shipped over from little Mexico.
Chiquito
Unit C2
The Quay
Glasgow
G5 8NP
Telephone: 0141 420 4050
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I have always thought this about chains such as Chiquito’s. Now I’m no native to the cuisine and can’t call myself an expert but go and review Bibi’s on Dumbarton Road in Glasgow (Down the Thornwood end). This is the best wee Mexican restaurant I have ever been in and I find it a lot more authentic than the large chains.
I’d be interested in your opinion of this as someone who really knows Mexican!
Hi Sharon, thanks for your comment. Funny you mention Bibi’s, because it’s the first Mexican restaurant that my boyfriend and friend introduced me to in Glasgow… actually second to Pancho Villas (another oy vey). I have actually been to Bibi’s on a few occasions, especially because of it’s close proximity to me, and have reviewed it on Yelp (check it out: http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/bibis-glasgow#hrid:1b3wYB2JuVMHeYIBvEVZRg ). I agree with you to some degree that it is a bit more authentic than the chain restaurants, but I still find it lacking in many areas. While my boyfriend raved about Bibi’s, after his visit to my home state last year, I opened up his eyes and mouth to the taste sensation of true authentic Mexican food. There’s no turning back now. I would encourage you to visit any of the border states (any of the US states that border Mexico), or Mexico, and you’ll see what I mean… but I warn you, once you try it, you’ll find it difficult to fix your cravings on this side of the pond!
I love Mexican food and it is true, Glasgow fails to offer a high quality of options, but it could also be the ingredients which are available.
This was a very informative entry and has made my mouth water! I want to visit the border states just to try Mexican food…or even a wee trip to Mexico!!
¡ viva méxico!
Alexis, I’m curious which other ones you have written off – not that I’m advocating any, I just wonder if you’ve missed any. I think there probably haven’t been any good Mexicans in Glasgow since Chimmy Chunga’s shut down. That *was* good – better than the one Mexican meal I had in Mexico (OK on a sample of one it’s not much evidence).
If you ever do find a good one I want to make sure I know… can I follow you on twitter or something?
Why don’t you open up a Mexican restaurant? Or at least a stall somewhere? Or a pop-up restaurant? I hate it when Glasgow disappoints – especially foreigners. I take it you have eaten in places apart from Mexican restaurants in Glasgow?
Hi Michael – thanks for your comment. I’ve had the (mis)fortune of trying Mexican dishes in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Carlisle, and as far down as London. I keep my eyes peeled and mouth open for anything Mexican, and it doesn’t have to be at a Mexican restaurant. It’s funny how you always want what you can’t have, huh? Now I must attest that Left Bank in the West End does pretty good nachos (p.s. nachos are more Tex-Mex than anything else, hence wildly popular north of the border). The warm tortilla crisps (aka “chips” for us Yanks) are reminiscent of the ones I grew up and would devour by the truckload. However, I cannot recommend Left Bank’s huevos Mexicanos… blandest thing ever, even an extra portion of salsa didn’t help it.
You’re more than welcome to follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/lexisfg
My boyfriend and I would absolutely LOVE to open a Mexican restaurant/tequila bar in Glasgow… if you know of any investors I’m down. I’ve been looking into the whole pop-up restaurant, which would take a lot of time and effort, especially when trying to sort out the hoopla involved with clearing everything with the city council. If there’s a demand, I will try my hardest to figure out how to supply it (I was meant to write my MBA dissertation on a Mexican restaurant start-up in Glasgow, but due to time limitations, it was shot down by my supervisor *sigh*)
And yes, I have eaten at many places beyond Mexican food. For a pint-size lass like myself, I have an incredible appetite for anything delicious, regardless of its origins
Thanks Alexis, I won’t bother trying that one! I think Mexican food in Glasgow is probably just a quick way of filling up. The last Mexican meal I ate was in Cedar City, Utah: La Casa Dom Miguel, as the name suggests, a little family run place, and we loved it. This is probably why Glasgow isn’t much good unlike Indian, Chinese or Italian food, there isn’t much of an ethnic population to support Mexican restaurants here.
We spent our last two summer vacations in your part of the world and had an absolutely wonderful time both years. I have never seen such stunning scenery. However, to get back to Mexican food, I ate an awful lot of it in Arizona because often there wasn’t much else on offer for vegetarians and some of it was mediocre too, so I guess if just depends where you go.
I see your Twitter name above. I write for this site occasionally too so maybe it would be a good idea if we all followed each other? Had our Twitter handle in our profiles maybe? Mine is @anabelmarsh and I’m just about to follow you!
hi there i have a restaurant and would be interested in letting you have a pop up night mexican monday ? why not call delizique/cafezique and ask for mhairi I too would love to eat great mexican food as im sure would my customers