Mexico and Points South

Marin is lucky to have so many Mexican and other restaurants from south of our border. I've tried to keep track, and keep up, however it's quite a task! There are also taco trucks seen around Marin that aren't listed, and I haven't tried yet. Let me know in the comments if any revision is needed.

Where I've been

Fairfax
Pancho Villa's

Greenbrae
Road Runner Burrito

Kentfield
Taqueria Mexican Grill de Marin

Larkspur
Burritoville Cafe

Mill Valley
Avatar's Punjab Burritos
Cactus Cafe
Grilly's
High Tech Burritos
Joe's Taco Lounge
Lucinda's Mexican Food To Go
Maria Maria
Shoreline Coffee Shop

Novato
Cacti
El Encanto
Fernando's
La Hacienda Taqueria
Las Guitarras Mexican Restaurant & Seafood
Maya Palenque
Sonoma Latina Grill
Tommy's Salsa

San Anselmo
Marinitas
Mi Pueblo
Taco Jane's

San Rafael
Celia's Mexican American Food
La Hacienda Taqueria
Las Camelias
Panama Inn & Restaurant
Panchitos
Picante
Playa Azul Mariscos
Puentez Taqueria
Sol Food
Sonoma Taco Shop
Taqueria Bahia
Taqueria el Farolito
Taqueria Mi Familia
Taqueria San Jose
Tekila's Taqueria
Yucachubi's

Sausalito
Anchorage 5 Restaurant
Salsalito Taco Shop
Saylor's Restaurant & Bar

Tiburon
Guaymas
Poncho's Casa Manana

Where I've yet to go (or blog)

Corte Madera
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill

Fairfax
Casa Manana
Grilly's

Mill Valley
Antigua Mexican Grill

Novato
Chevy's Fresh Mex
El Palmar
Mi Pueblo Taqueria
Taqueria La Fiesta
Taqueria Real

San Anselmo
Burritoville OBB
Tacqueria Mi Familia

San Rafael
Casa Manana
Churro Station
High Tech Burrito
Oscar's Tacos
Samperio's
Sonora Market & Taqueria
Taqueria La Herradura
Taqueria Las Calandrias

Pizazz with Jazz. When searching for an early dinner place, Dad & I noticed that there was FINALLY not a line stretching out the door of Sol Food in San Rafael, and took that as a sign that it was time for us to visit this personality-filled Puerto Rican food place.

First we were greeted warmly and instructed to make our choices, order and pay for our food at the counter, and sit down at one of the tables (many long communal ones) and wait for our number to be up. Not a sit down and be served type place. In the background was rather loud and jazzy Puerto Rican music to continue the ambiance that the bright green exterior started preparing you for. The silverware was in bucket on the table, and the napkins held down by a green plantain. First we started with bottles of Malta - a kind of molasses soda which really did taste of molasses. A new taste sensation, but not something I'd want every day.

Dad ordered the Bistec Encebollado, a thinly sliced steak sauteed with onions, served with rice beans, organic salad and a choice of two different kind of plantain creations. Each of of us chose one of each so we could sample. Tostones were the smashed green plantains (probably like the ones holding down the napkins) which were mixed with olive oil and garlic and fried a second time with a repeated mashing. Maduros were sweet plantains that just looked dipped in the deep fryer and holding their natural shape. The tostones were definitely crisper and did carry a garlic flavor. The maduros were good, but it felt like they should be dessert as sweet as they were.

And I ordered the Camarones Criollos, large fried prawns that had been thoughtfully detailed, served over rice with organic greens, a slice of perfect avocado with a lemon and garlic dressing gracing the greens. Very nice. I wish I could identify the spices to describe, but it was a nice melding and not too spicy. Friendly, tasty and well-prepared, it is recommendable to try this place. I have to admit it is so different that my usual taste that I wouldn't seek it out frequently, but it would definitely be in my list to go back occasionally when craving something tasty and out of the ordinary. And in my opinion (in the great color debate) the green building is PERFECT for this local and restaurant type.