La Michoacana - 10/11/2009

A bold, quaint dive that's sprung its way onto our early list of faves. The traditional Mexican dishes and piquant sauces were refreshingly identical to the taco stands of Acapulco (in fact, the owner is from Playa Azul, on Mexico's Pacific coast in the state of Michoacan). This is clearly the closest to classic Mex-cuisine that could be found in C-Town, and Professor Basil's favorite 'Aqui es Mexico' should probably hand over its name. Here's our first review:

I was lured into visiting La Michoacana by Slingshot and the promise of extra cilantro and $2 tacos al pastor. The place is one half of a little white house on the side of the road, and the surly 50 year old Mexican guy working the counter does not have many words to spare. The menu was a tattered mess sitting on the counter in front of him, that we all (me, Slingshot, and Shredder) took turns reading. Standard Mexican menu items can be customized by picking from proteins both standard (carnitas, chicken, etc) and exotic (beef tongue, tripe).

I ordered one taco loco (chicken and chorizo) one taco al pastor (see picture) and one gordita with carnitas. The food reminded me of tacos al pastor I ate in Acapulco, including cilantro, onions, lime, and the horrible nauseous feeling I'd get in the pit of my stomach. It was like I was transported directly to a sun drenched beach or an ambien induced half delirious nap on a seedy, sweaty, sandy hotel bed. Needless to say, I still enjoyed the food immensely (Thank God for American water).

The highlight of the meal was the Gordita. Some kind of fried soft dough bed with pork, sour cream, and cheese, it was unreal. Shredder's enchiladas were also great. All around, a really nice place, and at 2 dollars per taco, not too too expensive. The homemade salsa verde adds great flavor to everything it touches.

Shredder: "My enchiladas were so delicious that I wanted to get an order of them to go, put them in a blender until it became a liquid, pour it into a plastic bag, and then attach an I-V to it so that I could have the deliciousness flow directly into my bloodstream while I sleep."

El Burro's Ratings (out of 10)

Price: 8

Ambiance: 6

Taste: 7

With the bold taste of Burro's "favorite herb" still fresh in my acid reflux, the highly anticipated Michoacana didn't cease to amaze, and bring us back to the land of borderline sexually assaulting beach masseuses, 40 ounce bottles of Tecate Premium, and masses of trinket peddlers. The Tacos al Pastor (the pork seemed to be marinated in a mild bbq sauce) was incredible, and their House sauces added a swift kick to every dish's groin.

Following 7 tacos, 2 gorditas, 4 enchiladas, 2 Pepsi-Colas and a Goya Grapefruit (a la Shredder), El Burro, Shredder, and myself (Slingshot) made our way to the Authentic dessert cart, in our best conscious attempts to contract Swine Influenza. Each selecting Mexican (Made in USA) frozen fruit pastries, which included the only "lemon" flavored Anything that turned out to be green. The lime flavored, H1N1-laced water ice was a great finishing touch to the meal.

Employee Quote of the Night:

Upon being asked how to open our desserts (and after completely disregarding the Virginia General Sales Tax of 5% on all food items), the man-behind-the-counter replied:

"You use your teeths, Mang."

La Michoacana (the Aztecan word for "One from the Place of the Fisherman"), and having no fish item on the menu, was still a wonderful treat and a pearl (don't judge from it's outside appearance). Delectable Mex-cuisine for the experienced palate.

Slingshot's Ratings (out of possible 10):

Service: 8

Freshness of Cilantro: 7

Pertinence of Restaurant's Name: 1.5

Explosiveness of Flavor: 9