Cantina Laredo in Covent Garden

Warning: This is not a typical Mexican Food Tour post.  After reading over my notes from our dinner and remembering our experience fondly, I did a little research and fact checking via good ole Google.  (I learned my lesson after the San Miguel fiasco!) While browsing, I stumbled across several reviews that I would say did not reflect my experience at all.  Was it timing, an off night, or were the bad reviews a direct result of not enough Tex-Mex experience by the writer?  Because of these new found theories and questions, I have separated this post into two parts.  The first part is my unbiased review before I discovered differing opinions-  simply how we felt about the food, service and experience.  The second part disects what made our reviews so different than the others, and, by figuring that out, if we can better understand how different cultures process food.

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Since starting my Global Taco Hunt, I’ve paid extra attention to each little detail of my every experience.  Are the tacos delicious? Salsa too hot, too mild? Do they have queso dip? Should I get a margarita? How are the prices?  Seriously, I start thinking about every little flauta, burrito, nacho and chile relleno on the menu! One thing I never really thought about before though was the name of the restaurant. Silly overlook really, as it is my first impression of any place.

So, when Bob and I were trying to decide on which Nashville Mexican place to try- Cinco de Mayo sounded perfect.  I mean, it had to be great! It’s Cinco de Mayo, the day that has led to some of the greatest moments – partying with my friends, tequila shots, dancing around sombreros… Luckily, Cinco de Mayo the restaurant did not disappoint.

Right as we walked through the door, I got goosebumps reading the sign: TONIGHT’S SPECIAL- SHRIMP AND FISH TACOS.  Um, clearly they knew I was coming!

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I’ll admit it- I didn’t research Mexican joints for Japan.  I know, I know, I let myself down, too.  Our search had been going so well that I figured we could just wing it.  WORST. DECISION. EVER.

We waited until our last night in Tokyo to have mexican food (as a little treat, you could say).  Our options were plenty… apparently Tokyo loves mexican food.  There were almost ten different places we could choose from and after several pain staking hours at our hostel in Mt. Fuji (we are always thinking tacos), we had narrowed it down.  First we went with reviews.  Then we went with the websites.  Ultimately though, we narrowed it down based on which locations would be open on the third Tuesday of the month.  Strange little fact about Tokyo- some stores close on the third Tuesday of every month.  Why?  I still have no idea, but no one likes to serve food on that day.

In the end, we decided on the best reviewed mexican place that would be open and whose prices seemed reasonable.  That left us with one choice: Cantina la Fiesta near the Ginza District. Continue Reading