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The New Orleans Menu
By Tom Fitzmorris
WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
The best of the American-style Mexican restaurants in the area, La Carreta's menu has kept pace with the opening of many small Mexican cafes around the area. Most of those introduced dishes not before seen in this area. La Carreta has been quick to pick up on the best of those and prepare them credibly, in a mainstream restaurant environment.
WHY IT'S GOOD
They start you off with what I think is the best salsa in the area, brought forth by the quarter-liter. The ingredients used in all the dishes are of unimpeachable merit, fresh and good-looking. While most of the food is gussied up more than it would be in a mom-and-pop cantina, there is no watering down of the flavors.
BACKSTORY
La Carreta is a small, rapidly-expanding chain of seven Mexican restaurants in Southeast Louisiana. Mr. Rubio, native of Queretaro, Mexico, came to Hammond to go to school, and worked in the usual capacities in Mexican restaurants. In 1998, at 36, he opened his first restaurant in Hammond. Almost from the beginning, the restaurant has not only expanded its reach but also its menu and its individual locations..
DINING ROOM
The walls are dark, but the lighting gives the tables in the two main rooms a pleasing brightness. A few outdoor tables are under the trees. The service staff is friendly and responsive, and may even be too quick to bring the food out.
ESSENTIAL DISHES
Chorizo con queso.
Ceviche with shrimp and fish.
Quesadillas.
Tortilla soup.
Chicken or steak fajitas.
Enchiladas Potosinas (grilled chicken or carne asadas with cheese enchiladas).
Tacos al carbon (flour tortillas with grilled beef).
Tacos al pastor (flour tortillas with braised pork).
Pork tenderloin carnitas.
Mixed grilled meat dinner for two.
Tres leches cake.
Flan.
FOR BEST RESULTS
If you're going to have an appetizer, split it with someone else--it's too much food. Also, tell the server to hold back on your entree until you're finished the first course.
SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
- Live music some nights
- Sidewalk tables
- Good for business meetings
- Open Sunday lunch and dinner
- Open Monday lunch and dinner
- Open all afternoon
- Unusually large servings
- Quick, good meal
- Good for children
- Easy, nearby parking
This review was updated with new information on 11/12/2009.
Used with permission: Copyright ©2010 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved
Website: www.nomenu.com
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