Aqui Es Mexico is a little hole in the wall Mexican / Salvadorian restaurant in Belmont. It hides next to a laundromat and a Mexican grocery store on Carlton Ave. You wouldn’t notice it unless you read about it here or happened to be drunk in midday and stumbled half a mile from Mas (now, that would be pretty difficult considering Mas isn’t open for lunch).
Just tell them cVillain sent you!
It’s not surprising that I’ve never noticed it. I asked myself, could Charlottesville actually have good Mexican/Salvadorian food? I always take Charlottesville Dining reviews with a grain of salt, especially since we are over 1,000 miles from Mexico.
I love people from Charlottesville, but get real, how can you possible think Guadalajara has the best Mexican food?! Even if Guadalajara was the only Mexican restaurant I’d ever heard of, I still wouldn’t have voted for it.
Aqui Es Mexico Rocks!
Obviously, I was weary of entering this restaurant. I was expecting the worst and doubted my fellow citizens who had ranked this little place an “87.5.” We sampled several tacos, including homemade chorizo, lengua (a.k.a. beef tongue, which is worth a try even if you picture Mel Gibson sucking down freshly slaughtered buffalo tongue in Dances With Wolves), pulled chicken, and carne asada. They were awesome! Unfortunately, they only serve the “fried pork” tacos on the weekends, but I can assure you a weekend trip has been planned.
Why has this place been under the radar? The chorizo (sausage) and the lengua (tongue) are miles ahead of anything else Charlottesville has to offer in the “Mexican” segment.
The Fried Yucca
TRY IT. I can’t really explain it because it’s something you have to enjoy even though it’s unfamiliar. Its mild flavors are accented by fresh lime wedges and a light sweet/sour sauce. The fried texture combined with the softness of the Yucca should keep you away from the standard french fry for at least a few trips.
Three thumbs up
The menu is huge, so I couldn’t eat it all. Even if you want to go to experiment, you will be glad to know that the prices are very, very reasonable. Three thumbs up (’cause I’m a mutant)! Go there and let us know what you think!
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Popularity: 6% [?]
Tagged as: C-Ville, Charlottesville, Food, Mexican
pssst. Mel Gibson wasn’t in Dances With Wolves. Thanks for the tip, though, Mutant Masticator - needs me some good cheap eats.
DOH! Kevin Costner… you are so right… i should have checked my sources … i got the hairy masculine guys confused.
Mel Gibson wasn’t…oops, I see someone else noticed.
There was an “all you can eat” taco place in Cville when I was there in the mid 80s. Needless to say they went out of business pretty quickly.
Didn’t that place used to be called El Tepaeac? A big wild crowd was there to watch Mexico v. Argentina in the World Cup last summer. That and the food (spiced eggs & chorizo) made for a good memory. They might attract more people if they spent a little time on some aesthetic details like minimizing the 10,000-watt Walmart-grade flourescent lighting. Otherwise a cool authentic place to experience.
Yep, that place is awesome. I lived in Mexico for some time and I can tell you that that is most authentic Mexican food I’ve ever had. None of this canned beans + cheese bonanza that you get at other “mexican” restaurants. I also reccomend trying the Jamaica (pronounded ha-MAI-ka), a great juice that I never thought I could get once I left Mexico.
wait wait wait what is this? How dare you disparage the name of my beloved Guad.
Still, I guess I need to check out this Aqui Es Mexico… but can I get $6.99 jumbo margaritas there?
Oh honey, you want to talk about jumbo margaritas? In states where grain alcohol isn’t illegal, cheesy Mexican restaurants can and WILL add it to margs. The Baby Acupulco chain in TX is known for the “Purple Margarita.” They won’t give out the recipe, but they will tell you the secret ingredient is Everclear! You’re only allowed to order two. I’ve seen a 6′x6′x6′ man get drunk off of 2. If you can get over the Robitussin color and fear of seeing “purple margarita” in your obituary, it’s a fast ride to Wastedland.
Hey, this place is doing fine. They have already renovated once and changed their name and seem full almost every time I have been there with, surprise, people of actual Mexican and Salvadoran heritage. The food is delicious and cheap, as mentioned, keep your comments about the atmosphere to yourselves. Who needs another place full of canned hipster decor? It is already here in spades. Go there to eat and enjoy actual friendly service, not some lifestyle makeover.
Great flavors without the stuck up airs of grandeur of Charlottesville. Service was great (none was flashing her boobs at us for a few bucks!) Price was reasonable. Menu is varied and authentic Mex/Salvadoreno dishes. I wish them much success!
I finally went to Aqui es Mexico after having it on my to-do list for a long time.
I cannot stress how good my meal was. I got lunch combination #3. I don’t even remember what the elements were, but they were all amazing. This place blows away every other mexican/central american restaurant in town. It is impossible to put into words how much better it is than Guad, Baja, el Puerto, whatever. It’s not even close.
so, you were enlightened?
Absolutely a hands-down awesome place to eat. The burritos are super tasty and are so obscenely large it takes a bit of strategy to figure out how to actually bite into one. The pork is oh so nice and I always love a place that serves yucca. I’m not so hard core as to be able to claim affection for the traditional tripe soup, but I love ‘em even more for having it on the menu.
[…] May 22 - Thor October 10 - Stanley […]
I love Aqui es Mexico!
[…] the beaten path that probably won’t skimp on your meal (and won’t have huge lines) try, Aqui Es Mexico, Jarman’s Gap in Crozet and possibly Duner’s. I’m sure our readers will comment […]
in the spirit of orchid reviving old reviews, i had aqui es mexico’s carnitas burrito two nights in a row. GUD!!!
& hooray for places with mexicans instead of graduates!
The size of their chimis are gargantuan - http://toddwickersty.com/post/33132182. Do not eat a whole one at lunch or you will be forced to sleep under your desk like Costanza.
[…] off, Aqui Es Mexico has relocated right next door. Having replaced the payday loans business which used to be in the […]
[…] Mexican in this town. Between “eating” at Guadalajara to dining at the much better Aqui Es Mexico and Michoacana, I don’t think anything comes close to the prices at Ventana, but does the […]