THE GAYBORHOOD By this I mean the boroughs surrounding the motherland (Hillcrest). You’d be surprised how many higher-end Mexican eateries you’ll be able to pick out of a vast sea of establishments that end with the suffix–berto’s. And although we love our lively little La Fuente and we can’t live without our beloved Betty from Baja, this is the season to break out of our happy routines, pull out all the “altos” and dine like a true “bandolero!”
Ranchos Cocina – North Park 3910 30th Street (between University Avenue and Lincoln Avenue) 619.574.1288
Barrio Star 2706 5th Avenue (between Nutmeg Street and Olive Street) 619.501.7827
isabelscantina.com/barrio-star.php
Decisions decisions… Shall we go with the good
old favorite with a sexy new facelift? Or perhaps the semi-new-kid in the west with a rapidly spreading reputation for lusciously innovative eats? Either way, you’re in for a lurid journey into the tastiest flavor territories where Mexico lays claim. It is worth not- ing, however, that while both places faithfully cater to vegetarians’ needs, Rancho’s has been the go-to venue for vegans in this community for years.
ranchos cocina el agave
SUAVE AGAVE Time for tequila? That would be ANY time! Espe-
cially when certain restaurants put forth great efforts to offer San Diego the finest distilled deliciousness available. From the outskirts of Old Town to the hustle and bustle of the Gaslamp Quarter, these two specialty purveyors will overwhelm you with quantity as well as quality. And the food? To die for, of course. But only after the tequila serves its purpose: to kill ya!
barrio star
El Agave 2304 San Diego Avenue—Suite B (between Old Town Avenue and Ampudia Street) 619.220.0692
elagave.com
La Puerta 560 4th Avenue (between Island Avenue and Market Street) 619.696.3466
lapuertasd.com
Now this is a toughie. Evenly matched in nearly barrio star
every way, both establishments will have you in a blue-agave-blur in no time. It all comes down to the atmosphere—and you couldn’t have two restaurants more opposite than these. El Agave in Old Town stimulates the romantic twinge in us all with softer lighting, elegant food preparation and a sharper touch on elaborate plating to impress your sweetheart for the evening…whereas La Puerta is a loud, proud Gaslamp party pub with a “kill that hun- ger” philosophy to the menu—definitely designed to attract single youngens thirsting for shots.
APRIL 2012 | RAGE monthly 63
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