Bill "tallzilla" H.'s Profile

Proximity forces me to compare Casa Mexicana to El Castillito.  El Castillito is the clear winner (on comparison of burrito and taco selection).

Here's what Casa brings to the table:

- Fishier fish. Casa's shrimp taco smelled more like a fish taco.  That ain't a good thing
- Crappier meats.  Casa's are less seasoned, and play a smaller role overall in the burrito
- Fewer greens
- Less fresh chips.  This was a no-brainer.  Serve a sub-par burrito, but get the customers back on delicious tortilla chips.  Nope.  Casa's chips were served room-temperature, and slightly chewy.  Not good.

A quick glance at the menu suggested that Casa has more vegetarian burrito and taco options than its superior neighbor to the north.  If Casa can't put any vegetables into a meat burrito, how am I to trust it when the veggies play the lead role?  I just don't think I'll go back to Casa Mexicana.

I didn't find much I enjoyed about my drive-through experience here a few weeks ago.  My partner and I ordered two really mediocre burritos -- overstuffed with badly-cooked rice and watery black beans, and totally lacking in greens.  The meat (carnitas) was well seasoned, though.

Service was slow, but I ordered at 9pm on a really dead Monday evening, so I'll give them that.  I don't understand why El Grullense is a see-in drive through. If your kitchen isn't very clean, why do you let your customers peer in?  It doesn't help my eating experience to watch you mix your ingredients in five-gallon plastic buckets.

I don't understand why people eat inside the restaurant given the wait -- order take out!  You can take the food to any nearby bar.  Recently, I walked a few dishes out all the way to Molotov's in Lower Haight, and they were still delicious.

Dish breakdown:

*  Pumpkin pork stew -- Amazing.  Unbelievable.  Definitely hook it up with some coconut rice.
*  Garlic noodles -- The kitchen staff cheated.  I tasted a ton of butter or oil.  Of course it'll taste good with a ton of fat on it.
*  Okra tofu.  Spicy!  Okra!  Bam!  Nice.

Three dishes plus rice was $36.  A little pricey, but delicious nonetheless.

I'm definitely a fan!  I dropped into 540 Club with my lady-friend and dog after reading that the bar was dog-friendly.  It definitely delivers on the dog-friendliness;  our pup enjoyed tons of pets, a bowl of water, and the endless playtime provided by the light reflecting off the disco ball on the dance floor.

The human experience was also enjoyable.  The tap's great, the bar has plenty of seating, and the rock-art decor is cool.  The patrons even demonstrated responsible control over the jukebox.  Love it.

I'd like to come back here during peak hours to see what the experience is like, but I'm definitely a fan of the lazy hours.

I've eaten delivery twice, both times I've had the house eggplant dish with rice.  Lots of awesomely-sauced eggplant, and prompt delivery.  Nice.

This place is dead on the weekends.  Also, there are old creepy guys at the end of the bar that will talk your ear off, or hit on you (depending on your gender).  Skip.

I had a great meal experience at Choucou during Yelp's Restaurant Week.  The timing was excellent, as Chouchou was also celebrating its 6th birthday.

The chef/owner, Nick, greeted me with a handshake and kissed my date.  Really, more dining experiences need to start this way.  I am 800% more likely to enjoy my meal if you shake my hand and kiss my girlfriend.

The restaurant was packed, but not loud.  I gathered that there were a fair number of local Forest Hills folks around from the conversations around my table.  A live music duo played every now and then, and that really annoying Thievery Corporation album (you know the one) filled the gaps.

Each dish was fantastic.  A delicious pairing of foie gras and apricots narrowly beat an escargot soup during appetizers (for once, a restaurant serves snails without feeling the need to season the taste out of them).  For the main course, we equally enjoyed the cured rabbit and veal.  The chocolate soup dessert dish was just fine, but I think we both wished we'd ordered two apricot tarts.

The service was well-timed.  The waiter didn't shake my hand or kiss my girlfriend, but he was extremely friendly and picked good glasses of wine to go with the courses.

I'd definitely head back here, but given the festivities around Chouchou's birthday I'd have a hard time believing they could top my experience.

Casey's is a solid Irish pub located in downtown LA.  I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon for 1) a beer and 2) reasonably priced food, which was hard to find within a few blocks due to everything else being closed.

The bartender was friendly and talkative, the beer was served quickly, and my Reuben was decent.  The fries were especially good.  Large-cut and well-seasoned, but not too salty or fried.  Well done.

I give respect to any place in SOMA that's got a neighborhood spot feel.  Patio, friendly staff, pool table, decent tap.  I've only been to Mars on weekdays after work, and it usually is a solid option.

Thirsty Bear is an average brew pub.  The helpful staff offset the high prices.  It's outside of Moscone, which is inconvenient unless you're at a trade show.  That's about it, really.