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La Casa Azul
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
14419 Greenwood Ave N(between 144th St & 145th St)
Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 417-4607
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 4 pm - 9 pm
Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
85 reviews for La Casa Azul
Review Highlights
"The pechuga de pollo con relleno I had was absolutely..."
(in 5 reviews)
"Both came with whole black beans and Spanish rice."
(in 12 reviews)
"...place looks great, Frida Kahlo paintings everywhere, nice..."
(in 7 reviews)
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85 reviews in English
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Review from J.J. B.
This is not only my new favorite Mexican restaurant, it is my new favorite restaurant overall. It helps that this place is in my neighborhood (Broadview) where there is minimal competition, but I would travel to the Wallingford location or beyond to eat at this place. La Casa Azul in Broadview is one of the most unassuming restaurants around. It lies in a small commercial strip on Greenwood and 145th next to a teriyaki joint and a coffee shop. It's very small, but the flavor and authenticity make up for that. Their menu is not the typical Mexican restaurant menu filled with commonplace entrees like enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, nachos, etc. They serve very authentic dishes here with high quality ingredients, homemade sauces and tortillas, and topnotch black beans and rice. I first tried the Costillitas de Puerco and was shocked to see that the mole sauce was literally black! This is a sure sign of a homemade mole with real Mexican bitter chocolate and dark roasted chiles. The next time I went there I ventured into the unknown and ordered something called "al pastor alambres," which was a delicious mixture of flavorful al pastor (barbecued pork), grilled onions/peppers, bacon, and ham all topped with melted cheese and served with tortillas and rice/beans. Wow, what a meal for a cheese loving carnivore!
To top off their excellent dinner options, they are open for breakfast on the weekends. You can order their version of traditional American breakfast items, but you can also order traditional Mexican breakfast dishes. I think I love this place so much because it reminds of a restaurant that would be on the show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" and it's in my own neighborhood. -
Review from Glyn C.
New Haven, CT
12/27/2011
For a small, off the beaten path restaurant, this place is a gem! I cannot understand why there is not a line running out the door. Tonight it was perhaps 60% full.
The food is authentic Mexican. Not Tex-Mex, American-Mex or Cal-Mex.
It is very well made, fresh and satisfying. I have not had a bad dish in the six we have tried over two meals. The wine list is very minimal. There is a fair selection of draft and bottled beer.
Try the fish tacos, the chicken with mole (chocolate version), and the chile rellenos.
Go there!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Kez M.
10/21/2011
I love this place, we try to go every time we're in Seattle as great Mexican food just hasn't made it up to Vancouver!
The service is excellent, the waiters are always friendly and quick. It has the air of a family run place, which makes them really want you to enjoy your meal. The food is delicious, and you can tell that it's fresh. I've been to Mexican restaurants where everything tastes like it came out of a can, so it's great to find a place that really makes an effort. All the entrees come with a big pile of beans, rice and salad, so we were all full up. Our friend Matt had just come back from a camping trip however, and ordered 2 entrees. The waiter was genuinely surprised when he polished off both plates. I wouldn't recommend doing that though - even one entree is more than enough for a normal human. -
Review from Bridgett T.
Seattle, WA
1/27/2012
My husband & I love this place! It's always on the restaurant list when we have nothing to eat at home. We've been coming here for quite some time now & always recommend it to people looking for good quality Mexican food. The bonus is that it's close to home too.
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Review from Rebecca O.
Seattle, WA
1/29/2012
I've driven by this place for a year and finally decided to stop in today. Glad I did. Great food, terrific service. Will definitely be back.
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Review from Michael K.
Seattle, WA
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
The first time I visited the Blue House, I prepared myself for a family style mexican restaurant where free chips and copious amounts of cheese help to replace the necessity for creativity and a sense of restaurant individuality. Once seated, however, one glance at the menu filled me with a sense of excitement, mostly for something a bit more authentic, and partially because they serve calamari. In fact, unless I'm failing to give credit where due, I believe this is the only Mexican restaurant where I've seen it on the menu.
We began the evening with a chips, salsa, guacamole, calamari, choriqueso fundido, and a pitcher of margaritas with Patron Silver. Normally I wouldn't choose a pricier tequila for such a drink, but considering the price difference between the house pitcher and the top shelf, it was a fair price and they were quite good. The chips and salsa were good and the guacamole was fresh and delicious. I'm easy to please when it comes to such things, though, so I won't make any wild claims about how they are amazing. I enjoyed all of it thoroughly.
The appetizers we shared (I use share loosely since I ate three fourths of the calamari) were both stellar. The calamari was tender, had a delicious breading with a bit of kick, and the aioli it was served with was spicy, yet light enough to not overpower the squid itself. On the opposite spectrum, the choriqueso was the epitome of indulgence, and each bite was so rich and delicious that I had to force myself away in order to maintain a bit of tummy space come dinner time. Truth be told, we could have stopped eating then and left totally satisfied, but what would be the fun in that.
We managed to finish the first pitcher as the appetizers began to dwindle (we purposely didnt order dinner right away because we wanted to prevent the commonplace occurence in family mexican restaurants where the meals come out so fast you havent had time to breath - not a bad thing but not preferred) so we ordered a cheaper second round, Jimador I believe, and ordered dinner (we may have had two tequila shots a piece at this point as well - yes if you're a friend, no if you're my parents).
On the main stage, I opted for the quesadilla mexicana. At first I was surprised that it was served on a corn tortilla, and then I tasted it and remembered that corn tortillas are so much better than flour tortillas. It's so easy to tell that these tortillas are made fresh - The flavor and texture are so unique when compared to the ones we can purchase at a grocery store. Every ingredient was delicious and bursting with flavor and it had a good amount of spice from the jalapenos. I also asked them to put guacamole on it instead of sour cream which they were happy to do, and honestly, I don't think they charged me for it but I can't remember.
It will be interesting to see how much longer I can handle going to the Americanized traditional family-style mexican restaurants with the knowledge that this gem is only a five minute car ride away. I will most certainly return, although I may try to keep the tequila consumption down on my next visit. After all, morning will come.Listed in: Mexican Magnificence (a.k.a.…
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Review from Marianne G.
9/15/2011
Very above average Mexican food with a Oaxacan emphasis.
Went there with my dad for an early dinner. He got the seafood enchiladas, I the Oaxacan mole enchilada.
I say 'enchilada' because I requested a half order (I'm used to European portion sizes) and they were kind about bringing only one with a smaller helping of rice and beans. And it was cheaper too!
The mole was very good, chocolately but not too sweet, nice and "toothy".
My dad's enchilada was nice, simple, not overloaded with loud flavor, and the seafood was tender.
The meal was nice, adequately refined, and the service was good.
Got guac and pico on the side but they covered up the delicate flavor of the food.
The location is a bit out of the way but inside the decorations are nice and the Frida-inspired art is nicely executed. -
Review from Chelsea J.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 6/30/2011
My last experience at La Casa Azul calls for an update. Although the food is still fresh and delicious there are a few aspects that can use some work at La Casa.
Rice and beans were cool by the time we got our plates. This means they must have been sitting ready and waiting for a bit before they were brought out to us. Chips were not very good, tasted stale. We had to ask our server twice to bring us extra silverware although I told them we had three people in our party.
Besides those shortcomings the food was delectable and tasty as always. I had the halibut tacos and they were juicy, flavorful and I finished every bite. They just need to take it up a notch with the attention to detail and make sure the food isn't cool by the time it reaches the table!Listed in: North End Joints, South of the Border
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/3/2010
My first visit to La Casa was this weekend and I am so happy to find a great Mexican restaurant… Read more »
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Review from Nanako E.
Seattle, WA
7/3/2011
Although I am tired as heck, I will still write this review at 1AM because this place deserves it.
Service was impeccable. They were so lovely and friendly. I ordered the pork ribs mole...heavenly. The mole has a wonderful rich flavor...you can tell a lot of time has been taken into making this dish what it is. And the tortillas are handmade; fluffy, warm, and oh so soft. I asked for two more tortillas when I boxed my food up. It makes me want to make homemade tortillas and never go back to store bought ones.
Please give this place a try. It is simply divine!! -
Review from Lilia C.
Kenmore, WA
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Let me begin this review with saying 2 things: I grew up in Southern California and have been eating home made Mexican food all my life as well as tasty taco shop food for over 25 years and I am not a fan of mole which is something this restaurant seems to specialize in.
I wanted something light for dinner and I was craving a margarita. Came in after checking out the yelp reviews for the area since I was in the neighborhood. The margarita (I got the one made with Patron) was delicious. The chunks of fresh orange mixed in with the tequila, triple sec, and lime juice was so good that I went ahead and ordered another.
My boyfriend and I weren't too hungry so we decided to split the Pechuga de pollo con relleno - seared chicken breast with anaheim pepper sauce, stuffed with Oaxaca cheese and anaheim peppers and it was extremely bland which was unexpected considering the use of anaheim peppers. We ended our small meal by splitting a piece of flan which was good. The Frida Kahlo artwork around the small restaurant was a nice touch. -
Review from S W.
Palo Alto, CA
7/20/2011
So you're asking yourself: should I go eat here?
So I have one question for you: In the mood for a good mole-soaked taste explosion?
***** 5-stars: service and the mole sauce
I found the reviews here to be generally accurate. This place is oaxaqueno, so there are probably better places to get a fish taco. Get the mole if you go here. Tortillas are housemade-handmade which is as it should be. It's in one of those strip mall holes, but the decor on the inside is nice and the paintings are wonderful. I gave them 4-stars because aside from their specialties the food seems rather ordinary. -
Review from Elizabeth W.
Seattle, WA
5/17/2011
Upon entering this small, well-decorated shack/hole-in-the-wall, I self seated myself as the waiter (who's working alone) was busy taking orders from customers. I let that slide because it's a small staff population for this restaurant. I glanced around and immediately liked the place with Mexican music playing in the background and Frida's paintings smacked unto the wall. The furniture is properly arranged to match the ambient of this homey, warm store.
I was served two menus, one: the dinner menu and the second is the lunch specials menu. I ordered from the dinner menu under the heading of "Frida's and Diego's Favorite Dishes" and went with Pechuga de pollo con relleno after hearing a few good reviews from fellow Yelpers. The waiter warned me on the 15 minute cooking time, and I said I was fine with that. While waiting, I was served free tortilla chips and salsa, the tortilla chips tasted mediocre like any other chips mass produced where you can get in grocery stores, the salsa on the other hand tasted more authentic and homemade, with generous amounts of tomato and the right amount of "kick" in the spice. Sometimes, I think I can hear Frida and Diego shouting Mexican words to each other from the kitchen back there.
*after a 15 minute wait*
My food was served in a large warm plate, drenched in greenish white sauce which I assumed was the pepper sauce. I tasted the chicken to begin with, it was tender and juicy dipped in the sauce. Occasionally, when I get lucky I would get a cheese glob which I thoroughly enjoyed. The sauce wasn't overpowering and before you notice it, it was cleaned off after my devouring moment. Without the sauce as complement, the chicken was dry and tasteless almost- but that's fine because maybe it was purposely made that way not to overpower the sauce and confuse the tongues of the foodies. I left alone the Mexican vegetables after a few bites, because it just wasn't my thing. The orange rice was average with pieces of cooked frozen vegetables on it.
Overall, stars for the ambience it got me vibin'. But, the food was just average to me. The price was on the high side (for a college kid), but it makes up for the fresh ingredients and large portions. I went out with a full belly and partially content smirk. -
Review from George G.
Shoreline, WA
5/27/2011
We tried this for the first time as we were intrigued by the high YELP ratings.
First - the pitcher of margaritas was great! They make their own from scratch.
The fish tacos were average.
We're headed back to try some of the recommendations from other Yelpers reviews.
George and Judy
Shoreline, WA -
Review from Linsi M.
Seattle, WA
5/17/2011
Went in for margaritas.....best pitcher of margaritas I've had in a long time! Also had dinner (Chicken mole) DELISH! Very authentic and a comforting atmosphere.
Very friendly staff and decent prices. -
Review from Edmond R.
Broadview, Seattle, WA
9/8/2011
Great Mole! I've never had a bad meal here. The place is run by a friendly crew and the food is fresh and well made. I've hit the spot for brunch and dinner, and would recommend anything with their mole. Tortillas also great and fresh.
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Review from Susan B.
Bothell, WA
9/19/2011
I really enjoyed the meal but it was so extremely warm in the restaurant it was uncomfortable. Yes it was a full house but they would greatly benefit by adding a fan or opening the door a little when it's at max capacity. Would I go back? Yes, but I would dress down and avoid the busy times.
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Review from Jodi S.
Seattle, WA
11/30/2011
Great place! Wonderful food, friendly waitstaff and very tasty margaritas. Highly recommended!
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Review from W M.
Seattle, WA
8/24/2011
YAY! Ever since Beso del Sol was closed down in Wallingford (by a landlord who demanded more rent/hasn't had a tenant in years since), I've been looking for a sub. LA CASA AZUL! This is so nice. Two brothers own the place (and are opening a new location on 45th in Wallingford...not the former Beso del Sol spot, which would really rock...but the one across from the QFC, still, exciting!).
It's a family-style restaurant with the added bonus of a Frida Kahlo theme and artwork. Comfy and pleasant. To the food.
EXCELLENT empanadas camarones (shrimp). I believe there is napolito in there (cactus). Tasty! Great chicken enchiladas and carne dishes. The
chips are a bit simple and the salsa a bit watery, but it's real food.
And they use real lime juice in their margaritas. It's a splash of summer!
Update: the Wallingford location is open. Not as warm of an atmosphere, but it's bigger and more accessible.
We had the seafood mole enchiladas, which use the house mole (everyone raves about it) and they add some cream. DELISH! Sopping up good. ORDER IT. -
Review from Drew G.
Seattle, WA
9/30/2010
I have to say I would not come back here. Keyword: Bland. Everything we ordered was lacking in flavor. The ingredients were the quality of pre-made without the sodium content. If you are going to offer a slimy mushroom quesadilla, at least make it hearty or include more than one flavor of creamy cheese.
and I dont like peas and carrots in my rice. thx. -
Review from Jarrod L.
5/31/2011
Easily the best Mexican food I've had in the region. The Black Mole Chicken and the Chipotle Chicken were both amazing.
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Review from Aaron E.
7/10/2010 2 Check-ins Here
It's not even 10:00 a.m and I'm daydreaming about the amazing margarita I had here! It was a perfect blend of citrusy deliciousness and tequila. The flawless flavor and the very large amount of tequila made for a great drink. Woooot!
The chips and salsa we were brought were pretty good. The first batch of chips seemed a little stale, but the second batch was pipping hot! Their salsa tasted very light and fresh and really hit the spot on a hot summer evening.
The pechuga de pollo con relleno I had was absolutely divine! A chicken breast stuffed with Anaheim peppers and Oaxacan cheese was divine. The side of veggies it was served with (grilled squash and a pepper of some kind) were cooked perfectly and really complimented the chicken. As delicious as this meal was I ended up changing dishes with my dinning companion who ordered the enchiladas with mole negro oaxaqueno. She thought it was too spicy and didn't seem to be enjoying it so I was happy enough to swap. I personally didn't love the dish... largely because I'm not a big fan of mole sauces. I will say that it was super flavorful and had very complex tastes.... and was one of the best mole sauces I've had.... it just wasn't for me.
After our server (who was very attentive and friendly) noticed we swapped entrees he seemed concerned that my dinning companion hadn't enjoyed it. After I only ate about half of it he was also concerned that I didn't like it. While it's certainly nothing I would order again it's not the restaurant's fault I was eating something I knew I didn't like.
The friendly service, amazing chicken dish, and sublime margaritas ensure that I will be a return customer. Everything on the "Frida and Diego's Favorite Dishes" section on the menu looks amazing. While I'd love to order that chicken dish over and over again I'll be adventurous and try any of these items. If Frida and Diego like them I'm sure they're tasty! -
Review from Zachary Sam Z.
Seattle, WA
6/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
Let me start by saying that the food here is a solid four stars. The avacado margarita was tasty (although, I was a little bummed that it wasn't blended - is that not standard? I figured it was).
The choriqueso fundido appetizer was also super yummy. I was pleased that the server brought us 6 tortillas - double what the order comes with - without charging us extra. This ensured our entire party of 4 got to try some.
I ended up getting the enchiladas with mole negro for my meal. Now, personally, I didn't care for the sauce, but I don't hold that against La Casa Azul because I'm hardly a mole expert - I just decided it might be fun to try. Unfortunately, 3 out of the 4 people at the table got entrees with mole negro, so I didn't have much to try! We all agreed that the sauce was good, but left a really strong after taste. Something I wasn't accustomed to.
The three stars comes in with the service, which came in waves. At the beginning, I was dreading the service - 5 minutes for water, another 5 minutes for chips and salsa, and another 5 minutes to take our order. Then, things picked up, and a second round of chips and salsa, our margarita pitcher, and all of our food was brought out extremely quickly. I thought things might be looking up!
But after the food arrived, the service dropped off again. Water glasses sat empty. At the end of the meal, a five minute pause between clearing each individual's plates, and then another 5 to bring the check. One of my dining companions finally had to take it up with our credit cards, because they just didn't seem interested in getting paid.
Last gripe (not included in the 3 star review): I detest the website. Music you can't turn off, and cheesy transitions on each click. I almost didn't get the names of dishes because I didn't want to click through the website. But hey, I love my fellow Yelpers too much not to endure that inconvenience. -
Review from Sean E.
Seattle, WA
7/9/2010
Despite indications to the contrary (the location and outside appearance don't exactly scream "serious Mexican restaurant"), La Casa Azul has quite a bit going for it, at least on the dinner menu - they've got tlayudas, huaraches, alambres, and other dishes from central Mexico (as much D.F. as Oaxaca).
In general, the food is pretty good. The choriqueso fundido and alambres include appropriately terrifying amounts of meat and cheese, and the huarache's toppings work well together. Nothing seems all that spicy (even when it should be), but there's a bottle of Cholula on the table to make up for that. I didn't find the flavors to be as refined as those at La Carta de Oaxaca or as bold as at taquerias south of I-90, but the kitchen definitely knows what it is doing.
The chips and salsa are the worst part, as if they're trying to scare off people who judge Mexican restaurants by those items. It seems odd to me that a restaurant that makes its own tortillas doesn't make its own tortilla chips, but we made up for it by ordering an antojito.
For Broadview, this is an exciting place. You can't catch up on your telenovelas during dinner and the clientele is mostly white folks, but that doesn't stop you from being able to enjoy food not normally found in this part of town.
(Disclaimer: the breakfast menu is mostly standard American stuff, with a few Mexican dishes thrown in for kicks. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but don't come looking for a Senor Moose-style experience.)Listed in: Mexican, Mexican't
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Review from Zan F.
Bothell, WA
9/1/2010
Moleee...mole, mole, moleeeee...moleee...moleeee...
If you think the mole at La Carta de Oaxaca is good...wait till you try this place!
I hate to mention their competition here, but competition is a good thing and La Casa Azul will get credit where it deserves. I love me some La Carta, don't get me wrong but Azul blew my little mind!
Both Azul's Red (Coloradito) and Black (Oaxaqueno) Mole recipes should get the same lock down treatment as the Colonel's Secret Blend of 11 Herbs and Spices! My mole dishes so far have been the book ends of my dining here so far (1st being the pork ribs in Oaxaqueno mole, and my last so far being the enchiladas in Coloradito mole).
In between those meals, I ventured out and tried some other non-mole related dishes. What surprisingly stood out was the Pechuga de pollo con relleno. Chicken dishes are usually pretty boring, but they seared this baby up to perfection and the Anaheim Stuffed pepper and sauce were a delicious complement!
Lo siento La Carta...hay un nuevo nino en la pueblo! -
Review from Nina H.
7/6/2010
Oooh interesting - before I headed out to try La Casa Azul last Friday night, the restaurant had a 4.5 star rating and now it's down to 4. Just a random observation.
Although I do think it's somewhat biased to review a restaurant after only visit - I will do my best to thoroughly describe and justify my review for this place.
If you're going northbound on Greenwood Ave N, La Casa Azul will be on your left and it's just a few blocks up from the popular Fu Man Dumpling House too. Parking can be tough if the place is really busy but we managed to find a spot. There was a bit of a wait for the three of us which was fine because it was only 10 minutes.
The service was very friendly after we were seated and my gosh the salsa and chips were absolutely divine. The salsa gets spicier towards the bottom of the bowl but you could definitely taste the homemade qualities of the salsa. Unfortunately, our food took awhile to come out but probably because there was a huge table before us.
I ordered the carne asada and I really enjoyed the carne part as well as the Spanish rice. I thought the beans were OK, a little on the bland side but very soft and the cheese was a nice touch. I didn't care too much for the tortillas though because the rice was enough for me.
My friends had the enchilada and some kind of roasted pork? The pork had a strange flavor and tasted a bit charred... I was not a fan of that.
But overall, the food was very different than the usual Americanized Mexican food found at Azteca or Las Margaritas.
I would come back and try another dish and perhaps the avocado margarita too - now THAT sounds delish. I also checked out the breakfast menu and that's pretty affordable so that's another breakfast option too! -
Review from Crystal H.
Seattle, WA
7/22/2010
It was amazing...my dinner that is. Came in here tonight just me and the baby, so I wasn't able to sit and relax and enjoy my food, but after what I tasted I will be back soon for sure.
Glad I found a great Mexican place to go to. YUM! -
Review from izzy w.
3/29/2010 ROTD 8/18/2010
I've been told that Frida Kahlo could be kinda moody at times. Who could blame her, really?
But my Mexican instincts tell me that even she would be impressed with La Casa Azul.
For one thing, images of her and her paintings adorn the walls of this restaurant. This nice setting comes as a complete surprise when you consider that the place is located in a bland, unassuming little strip mall in N. Seattle.
The menu consists of several native Mexican dishes, some of which I had never heard. The ingredients taste fresh and carefully prepared. I love that they don't overly spice things just for the sake of spicy. I would call this food flavorful. I've never had a bad meal here, and I'm almost as moody as Ms. Kahlo.
Service here is always muy amable. (look it up, gringo.)
C'mon, Frida, even you would think highly of esta Casa Azul, verdad?Listed in: tootin' my own horn
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Review from Katie S.
Seattle, WA
6/3/2010
Our search (my husband & I) for a Oaxacan restaurant in Seattle has come to an end upon finding La Casa Azul.
My husband is from Oaxaca so I tend to believe him when he says that food is authentic and these guys got two enthusiastic thumbs up and many plans to return.
If you want truly authentic Oaxacan fare get the Tlayudas with both types of meat (Tasajo & Chorizo). -
Review from Melissa K.
Seattle, WA
4/29/2010
I too was crying at the mole, but I was crying and wishing it was better. Last Friday, after reading the high praise this place got, I picked up my family and drove (past Carta Oaxaca) to Casa Azul.
We were seated immedately, but our table pushed up under the bar opening, so I had a countertop pushing on the back of my head when I sat up straight (and I'm only 5'1"). Also, the table was butted up against another table, offering no privacy.
I ordered an avocado margarita, and thank god, becuase it was the ONLY tasty item brought to our table.
I would swear that the chips were from a bag and the salsa tasted jarred. Don't get me started on the guacamole. How can it be that flavorless? I had to use hot sauce on each bite so I would know that I was still eating.
We ordered kid enchiladas for my daughter and my hubby and I split the two different types of mole covered enchiladas. His was bland and mine was just horrid. Both moles tasted overcooked. They were each served with black beans and a rice mixture with corn and ?carrots? in it. Carrots? I don't think that is traditional at all.
The place was cute, the patrons were happy to be there, and my margarita was delicious. Still, those don't make up for the quality of the food, which, in my opinon was as if an americanized tex-mex place tried to go authentic...and failed. We'll not make that drive again - regardless of how good that drink was. -
Review from Paul C.
Seattle, WA
7/21/2011
We have been to this restaurant a handful of times and have never been disappointed. Last night deserves a Yelp. It was truly amazing. From a flavors point of view it was one of the more memorable meals I have had in Seattle. I had the Chipotle con mariscos that took me right back to Puerto Vallarta. My wife had Pechuga de Pollo con Relleno that was also excellent. Service was great. We walked in 20 minutes before closing and we did not get the usual "what are you doing here treatment". This place also has awesome breakfast on the weekends.
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Review from Loe B.
3/12/2010
I love me that chocolate. I would probably start dipping all sorts of goodies in their black chocolate like mole sauce if i could. I cant compare it to La Carta since I've never been (and dont care to go since Id rather not wait 30+ min to get a table) but this place has some seriously good food. I actually came back for breakfast too and it was pretty good, not as good as their dinner options though. The setting is nice and intimate and filled with Frida paintings.
I almost feel like Im cheating on my family when I come here (mexican restaurant competition) but Oaxacan food is very different from Jalisco food (to the trained Mexican tongue =) ) so i guess I'll just have to get my Oaxacan fix here and Guadalajarian fix at Tapatio. -
Review from Ava L.
Seattle, WA
9/4/2010
Why is it that all good, nay wonderful restaurants are in shopping strips? I mean, I seem to find the most posh and delicious food located on the corner near a convenience store.... Really??
This is yet another wonderful place to gnaw, chew, visit, and indulge!Its likely that I eat here at least once every 2 weeks. The staff are not only professional, they are wonderful and very welcoming. I typically eat one of two things for dinner... First, I love the Halibut Tacos, or Chipotle Con Mariscos. For breakfast I love the eggs Benedict,
This place is a must! -
Review from D.J. Y.
5/7/2008 1 photo
This must be authentic! Granted I've only eaten soft tacos in San Diego and parts of Orange County, I will say this is pretty close to that realm of "Mexican" food. They calm to serve, "Oaxaca cuisine" http://www.oaxaca-rest...
Fresh salsas, 3 kinds, the green one was my fav, but the pica di gallo-ish one was solid as well. The "standard" salsa that came with the chips was very good, I could have bathed in that stuff, seriously! Sadly the chips were in need of some help.
No re-fried beans or gooey "yellow" cheese served here, if you are looking for the #2 combo plate, sorry no mas!!
Hand pressed corn tortillas, (Yes, by a little Mexican lady), black beans, and my Mojito had just enough "kick" in it. The Mrs. didn't like her Mole chicken enchiladas, but she tends to like "yellow" cheese, so take her word with a grain of salt. I did have to agree with her, the amount of chicken in her dish was a bit lacking. My carnitas were solid and the roasted Jalapeno served along side was a nice touch.
Materia muy buena, soy feliz y por completo!!! Ala Babel fish: Very good stuff, I am happy and full!!
Check'em out!! -
Review from Laine H.
Seattle, WA
4/29/2009
What a great find! Who knew this place was here?! Thanks Yelpers! Definitely don't pass this place up because of it's strange location in a strip mall on Greenwood. A great alternative to 'normal' mexican food that makes you go into a food coma.
Cute decor, friendly staff, and delicious fresh food. Doesn't get much better than that! We actually had dinner here two nights in a row, as well as breakfast over the weekend. I wish I could remember the exact names of the dishes, but I had a thin steak with home made tortillas and tomatillo sauce and my fiance had a mix of chicken, onions, red and green peppers, and mushrooms in creamy chipotle sauce and was served with black beans and rice . I ordered this same thing next day :) We also tried the mole, which was a little rich for our tastes, but still had a lot of flavor and character. Next time we'll take some photos and get them uploaded.
Skip the overcrowded and noisy breakfast joints like Patty's Eggnest. You can get your standard breakfast here (pancakes, bacon, eggs, oatmeal, etc) or you can order traditional Oaxacan breakfast served with black beans, rice and tomatillo sauce.
They dont have a website or delivery set up, but you can place orders to go. Enjoy! -
Review from Tasha A.
Seattle, WA
7/16/2009
I live only moments away, and when I stopped in with some hungry companions for dinner one evening I was pleased at the cleanliness and attractiveness of the interior. There is of course a lot of blue and Frida Frida Frida, but what else do you expect from a place called La Casa Azul? Cute paper lanterns, fairy lights, bright photos/paintings, and wooden tables make for a cozy atmosphere.
While the food was not the best I have ever eaten, my taste buds were certainly impressed and I sure do like it better than the usual fare of Mexican food found around here - not to mention the prices are much more favorable as well. ($11 for chicken and prawn? Hell yes!) The salsa was yummy, very fresh and tasty. Rice, Mole, and steak - all very satisfying, too.
Considering the more-than-reasonable prices, great-tasting food, and my close proximity to this place I'll no doubt stop in again. -
Review from Wes N.
Seattle, WA
1/19/2010
This is a true gem! Not only for North Seattle, but for all of the metropolitan area. Oaxacan food as good or better than La Carta De Oaxaca, in a smaller, more intimate (and very nicely decorated) venue, with some of the most gracious and helpful hosts north of the border. Steer away from the familiar and comfortable and allow Armando or Isaac to introduce you to the classic Oaxacan specialties, such as Tlayuda's (plate size, super thin and crispy blue corn tortilla topped with cabbage, cheese and the meat of your choice; I definitely recommend the tasajo) or molotes (spiced ground beef and potatoes in a crispy tortilla wrap). Of course the star of the show is the seriously deep and intensely flavored Oaxacan moles - mole negro being the most classic of this region, or the incredible Mely Relleno.
Food aside, this place has a bar that could become my home away from home - over 30 distinctive (and distinguished) tequilas, many very rare. Under Armando's tutelage (and abetted by my abject lack of will and good judgment) I've become extremely fond of Tequila Corralejo, an exceptionally rich and complex joven of comforting depth. They're also planning on adding both reposado and joven mexcals to the lineup, soon (and we're not talking that embarrassing, worm riddled, Monte Alban garbage, but serious artisanal mexcals).
OK, best for last (or second best for last - I mean who can step away from a tequila lineup like that?): Margarita's to die for! Ever had an Avocado margarita? Bet you can't have just one. Tamarind margarita? Ditto. Warped, but true, these gems are also available by the pitcher. (Footnote: The consensus at our table tonight was that the avocado margarita was right up there with the best thing we'd ever tasted. Naturally creamy, with the richness of the avocado balanced with a touch of lime and a generous pour of very nice tequila. I really do believe I could live on these , perhaps occasionally punctuated by a neat shot of reposado.) -
Review from Ian B.
5/17/2009
I remember overhearing these conversations in Mexico:
"Oh dear, honey all of the dishes are in Spanish!"--Ex-patriot wife.
"Don't worry honey, I recognize one dish: Huh--way-vos Ran--chair-os. Maybe we should order that?" said the spouse.
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Unfortunately, no one is going to get lost on the breakfast menu of La Casa Azul. It's more like eating at the Americanized 5 star hotel restaurant of Puerta Vallarta. They do serve Huevos Rancheros, Huevos a la Mexicana, and other dishes like Eggs Bennedict. You get the idea.
I ordered the Huevos a la Mexicana, and I noticed that the dish was lacking cerrano peppers and diced cilantro. Although there was one piece of fresh cilantro decoratively on top of the eggs as if it was parsley or something. Bummer...mild and bland for the gringos. Okay, so, I'm a gringo too. I don't doubt that this place does serve Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's favorite dishes, but, they are prepared in such ways that the couple would never choose to dine out! -
Review from Daniel W.
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I ate here the other day and had the chicken with mole. What a distinctive and delicious sauce! With good service and cute decor my overall experience was positive . My only complaint is that a small leg and a thigh of chicken, a little bit of rice and black beans and 3 corn tortilla is just not enough to fill me up. The food was good enough that I will give them another try.
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Review from Raina D.
7/4/2010
This place may be better for meat eaters, but being a vegetarian, the selections were minimal for me. I think there were 3 options on the menu, but I bet they could have made something special for me had I asked.
I just found the sauces to be bland and the rice was undercooked which is a kinda unforgivable. -
Review from Meghan K.
5/2/2010
I had a really fantastic meal here. Now, I love me some mole sauce and I was ecstatic to see that there were a lot of items on the menu that contained mole sauce. Not only that - they had several types of mole sauce to choose from! I settled on the Enchiladas de Mole Negro Oaxaqueno and was not disappointed. In fact, I may be obsessed. I need to come back here again soon! Everyone else in my party enjoyed their dishes and margaritas too.
We were seated immediately, and the service overall was great. The decor in the restaurant was really awesome, bright colors and a whole lot of Frida. I really enjoy this style of cooking and this is one of the better restaurants I've been to that specialize in it.
