October 11, 2007
Jenny's got the scoop
Roanoke Times retail business reporter Jenny Kincaid Boone has started a new retail blog on this site called
"The Storefront." There, she will explore business openings and closings, shopping, trends and other retail-related news on a daily basis.
I am not mentioning this on the Fridge Magnet blog just to promote the work of a very talented reporter and friend. I think those of us who are interested in new restaurants in Southwest Virginia should keep an eye on Jenny's blog for that kind of news. I try to keep an eye on restaurant openings and closings and my readers are good about passing along tips. But Jenny has been writing a retail column for The Roanoke Times for about 4 years now, so she often hears about a new restaurant even before I do.
Her latest entry, in fact, is about a new El Rodeo opening soon on Orange Avenue. Jenny explores the business angle of such restaurant news, but I would like to press my fellow foodies about what this means for us-- can this area really handle another El Rodeo or El Toreo?
I eat at the El restaurant chain at least once a month because I love Mexican food, whether it be Americanized or not. But I was really disappointed to see El Palenque close because it was much more unique. I'm hoping Alejandro's taquerita on Cambell Avenue will provide something new to the scene.
In addition, I'm beginning to think Abuelo's, a chain restaurant (eek!), has more exciting food than any El Rodeo or El Toreo in town. Their fajita chimichangas with queso sauce rock my world and the chips and salsa are much tastier than what I get at my neighborhood El Rodeo, where they don't even scoop out a fresh portion of warm chips for to-go orders. Stale, cold tortilla chips? Ew! I much prefer Abuelos' thin, crispy, salty chips and smoky salsa.
What do you guys think?
Comments
[October 11, 2007 2:10 PM]
RichI'm a huge enchilada combo fan. Chicken, bean, beef and cheese in most enchilada platters. I do NOT like the sweet enchilada sauce that is served at Mexi-chains around here. It ruins it for me.
For Roanoke Mexi-chain, I hit up the one by the Hampton off Peter's Creek. Not too big a fan of the other ones in town, but will eat at one of the others are too busy.
I absolutely abhor the one at Peter's Creek and Brandon, and I'd rather take a beating than eat at Abuelo's again, no offense.
Two Mexichain's I'd love to see come to town are actually more MacMexi-chains- Chipotle and Q'doba. Love them big, hot fresh burritos, the cilantro lime rice, and the speed of service. 22 ounces of burrito for $7 and I don't have to eat again for the rest of the day? I'm in!
[October 11, 2007 2:19 PM]
LisaI wholeheartedly agree with you Lindsey! I'm a transplant that grew up out west in Houston and Phoenix and I personally think Abuelos has a much better selection of both authentic mexican entrees (i.e. enchiladas) and "tex mex" grilled entrees like the fabulous fajita chimi that you mentioned. El Rodeo/Toreo is okay from time to time but not terribly exciting in my opinion.
[October 11, 2007 3:40 PM]
LindseyWell, we can definitely agree on one thing, Rich: I would LOVE to see a Qdoba come to town! I adore that place! I typically hit it when I go through Charlottesville or Harrisonburg. I've never made it to a Chipotle before but I've heard some folks say they like it even better than Qdoba. Either one would be a great change, huh? Hey Lisa, I ate some great Mexican food when I lived in Colorado as a kid. Maybe that's why I love it so much.
[October 11, 2007 5:01 PM]
AmandaI have to say, I am a fan of local businesses as opposed to chains, but Abuelos does rock my world. YUMMY! And Chipolte - DOUBLE YUM. Would love to have one here. MMMMM Mexican....
[October 11, 2007 7:21 PM]
JulieLindsey, I share your and other's opinions here... best mexican food I have ever eaten is in Colorado at a little place called the Mission Bell Inn, just north of Colorado Springs in Manitou Springs. The view isn't half bad, either, but the food definitely rocks. I'll take Abuelo's over some local Mex eateries just for the fresh chips, but my husband's homemade salsa will beat them all to a pulp.
[October 12, 2007 8:12 AM]
DennisI agree w/ Lindsey, I MUCH prefer the thin and crispy chips at Abuelo's! And both the regular salsa and the hot sauce are good. I love their food, too! The "Tex-Mex" is good and all of the "other" dishes that I've tried are good. And, believe it or not, they make really good soup! Don't know the name of it, but the soup of the day on Tuesday is the BOMB! And the cilantro lime soup is delicious as well. Can you tell that I like Abuelo's?
[October 12, 2007 10:39 AM]
LisaHey Lindsey,
Chipotle is a little better than Qdoba....I think, but to have either in Roanoke would be wonderful. Are you a Denverite? If so, do you remember any particular places that you frequented as a kid? My dad lives there so I'm out there a couple times a year and always have to get my fix of authentic chile rellenos. :)
[October 12, 2007 11:33 AM]
LindseyLisa, I was not a Denverite; we actually lived in Leadville and then Ft. Collins. When I was growing up, we didn't go out to eat a whole lot for financial reasons and because mom was a good cook. But there was a little Mexican restaurant near Leadville called "The Plasser" that we used to go to. I don't even think it's there anymore.
[October 12, 2007 11:56 AM]
NonaLove, Love, LOVE Chipotle! I know it's a chain, but it is the gold standard of fast-food in my opinion. My whole family would be so excited if Roanoke could score one.
I am mourning the loss of El Palenque. We really enjoyed that place, but obviously not frequently enough to keep it open. The desserts were outstanding, and the shrimp chimichanga was heaven.
[October 12, 2007 1:58 PM]
JesseI echo the desire of the rest of you for a Chipotle here in the Roanoke area. They've got one up in the Alexandria area and remember how good it was the last time I was there. Someone else mentioned the El Rodeo up on Plantation Road next to the hotel, and that is the only one I enjoy as it has an all you can eat buffet that satisfies my Mexican craving.
[October 12, 2007 2:09 PM]
AnnaI'm a fan of local food myself. But, i have to ask. Why is it presumed a sin these days to enjoy a good chain restaurant?
[October 12, 2007 2:09 PM]
KathyI must be slow, this is the first I've heard of the El Palenque loss. I'm sad to hear it, too. I liked what they were doing, and the menu offerings were atypical. But I thought the service was always only so-so. Personally, some of the more interesting Latino food I've had is from the small places (like on Williamson Road) or at the Latino Festival. I've found some restaurants through the Latino Festival, too. It's a good way to track businesses down.
[October 12, 2007 2:33 PM]
Jonathan BrownLindsey, Any idea where or what the owners of El Palenque will now do? Even though they closed I loved their foods and especially the desserts. I always miss a good restaurant that closes. But more importantly I often wonder where the owner is now cooking or managing. Or even the kitchen staff. Alot of times I like the smaller places such as Kneadful Things when it was open because the owner Alexis I think was her name was great with her kitchen staff and customer service. Now I understand she is at Back Creek Grill..correct?
[October 12, 2007 2:55 PM]
LindseyJonathan, I'm trying to figure out what happened to El Palenque. All I've heard is that they plan to keep selling desserts on a special order basis. Anna, interesting question. I guess I would say it depends on the chain restaurant. I tend to want to support local businesses more, and used to think the service and food were typically better. But these days I'm wondering! One benefit to a chain is that they have at least got their routine down, the staff has been trained and the food ought to be consistent. Others want to chime in?
[October 12, 2007 4:01 PM]
RichYou hit the nail on the head. Its the consistency, and the familiarity that draws most people in.
However, when I traveled, I hit the local eateries and was never let down (OK, there was a HORRIBLE mexican place in Hutchinson Kansas once).
But its that exposure to the local color that makes the small places great.
Take for example, in Roanoke, if you have a hankering for a steak, you could hit Texas, Outback, Logan's, or any of those chains, OR you could have a GREAT meal at Coach and Four for equal price.
Plus, the local places are more apt to be daring in their menus. A great example of that is Arzu! Wonderful items that you won't find anywhere else in the Valley!
[October 14, 2007 7:34 PM]
DannyMy wife and I went to Abuelo's twice--First and Last. The food was horrable and the service sucked. Part of the order was missing and "Oh Well, We can give it to go. We are very busy now" They weren't busy but extremely understaffed and very unorganized. The "managers" were walking around but not helping with the problem. I'll stick with the one in Vinton when I don't have time to go to the one on Plantation Road. If I have to go to Abuelo's again, I'll go to 7-11 for a Hot-to-Go