Chiquito - so wrong

A Mexican restaurant called Chiquito opened near my work that I’ve been dying to try - we don’t have any Mexican food around here, and I’m not that great at making it so far. So DH and I went down there to try it out.

I was so crushed! The nachos were overcooked (they were dark brown) and had very little cheese. They were made of real corn tortillas, though, which made it a horrible surprise that my soft tacos came in some sort of flat, yeasted bread of uncertain origin. I wasn’t prepared for that.   So disappointing! Flatbread!! Why couldn’t they use a tortilla? This “taco” was filled with a gloppy mix of chicken and rice, flavoured with Italian seasoning.  I nearly cried.

 I really should have known when the waiter repeated dos xx to us as “dos eckwiss” in a patronising tone. Twice.

So gutted.

Ugh... what a waste of your time, money and tastebuds.

I almost cried when I went there too!  I had the same experience - I dont remember what words I said to the waiter, but I said them with proper Spanish pronunciation and he has no idea what I was saying.  The menu selection is terrible and the few Mexican things on it are horrible alternatives to real Mexican food! Thanks for trying, Chiquito, but you have a long way to go!

I try not to dine anywhere that plays music outside 

It is a sad, sad place.  But like most places the only Mexican around.  Except for Nanna/Manna Mexico here in Cambridge. 

It is a sad, sad place.  But like most places the only Mexican around.  Except for Nanna/Manna Mexico here in Cambridge. 

Ooh! Where is that, then? I'm not too far from Cambridge - I could easily go there for a Mexican feast.

I try not to dine anywhere that plays music outside 

Good point  To be fair, I was expecting something on a par with Chilis, which I could live with. You know, loads of crap on the menu, but also a reasonable burrito made by someone who is not me.

I forgot to mention the margarita. It was served in a monstrous large glass, but I'm sure there was just one piddling measure of tequila in it because all I could taste was sour mix. Blech!

Awww, sorry.  :\\\'( I think they had one of those in Newcastle. I thought about going there, but am now glad I didn't. Has anyone ever eaten at the Texas Embassy? I went in there for a beer when I first came to London, but didn't eat there. Just curious. Also, I passed a Mexican restaurant in Edinburgh, but I forget what its called. Does anyone know if it's any good? If it is, I might eat there when I go back.

There's also a Mexican-y type place at Leicester Sq. There were always people there, but I never tried it. I really should be taking advantage of the Mexican places here while I can!!

There's also a Mexican-y type place at Leicester Sq. There were always people there, but I never tried it. I really should be taking advantage of the Mexican places here while I can!!

Are you talking about a place called Wahaca? I think i remember hearing something about it before and wanted to give it a try...their menu looks alright. http://www.wahaca.co.uk/flash/downloads/wahaca_menu.pdf  Has anybody been here?

Also, I passed a Mexican restaurant in Edinburgh, but I forget what its called. Does anyone know if it's any good? If it is, I might eat there when I go back.

the only one i know of is Pancho Villas.
It was 'alright', but not particularly authentic... sweetcorn and courgette in the enchiladas.

the only one i know of is Pancho Villas.
It was 'alright', but not particularly authentic... sweetcorn and courgette in the enchiladas.

I could've sworn it was called Casa de Mexico or something equally corny. But the brochure thing in our hotel said an actual Mexican family runs it, so that gave me hope. But I never made it there since we weren't in Edinburgh very long.

ETA: I think it was over by where all the funky boutiques and head shops and "alternative" places are, if that helps. 

Awww, sorry.  :\\\'( I think they had one of those in Newcastle. I thought about going there, but am now glad I didn't. Has anyone ever eaten at the Texas Embassy? I went in there for a beer when I first came to London, but didn't eat there. Just curious. Also, I passed a Mexican restaurant in Edinburgh, but I forget what its called. Does anyone know if it's any good? If it is, I might eat there when I go back.

Jay and I always go to the Texas embassy to watch the Texas vs. OU game. You'll hear lots of good things and lots of bad things about it.
Basically the fried chicken is really good, I like the big bowls of queso and the staff is friendly, we're at the bar for a LONG time, they don't charge for soft drink refils and the free chips and salsa keep coming, the chips are the best chips in the UK so far, almost like american tortilla chips, and the salsa was nice.

The chicken fried steak is awful (but does have cream gravy on it) and their mexican stuff is "okay" according to DB.

Thanks, CB. If your guy says its ok, then I would give it a try. I wouldn't expect greatness, but better than nothing, or total disappointment.

We actually gave Chiquitos 2 chances but they failed miserably both times.  My husband and I got a good laugh out of the names they chose for the dishes though.  El Paso Salmon Cakes - Where do they think El Paso is?  They also had a side dish called something like Blanco Queso Cheese Dip, 'white cheese cheese dip'?  Wouldn't it have been easier to call it Blanco Queso and underneath say 'a white cheese dip'?  Best one though - El Gringo's Chili con Carne, we asked the waiter if he knew what a gringo was.  And honestly, who would want the 'White man's chili' at a Mexican restaurant?

Are you talking about a place called Wahaca? I think i remember hearing something about it before and wanted to give it a try...their menu looks alright.

Do a search. I'm pretty sure there have been a lot of mentions of Wahaca. Coincidentally, I'm just watching Thomasina Miers (Wahaca is her restaurant) make venison mole on Market Kitchen!