| Being new to the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, | | | | typical Mexican fare, with tacos, burritos, |
| we quickly needed places to eat that would | | | | enchiladas, and other standards. You start with |
| remind me of home. One of our favorite cuisines | | | | the standard chips and salsa, both of which are |
| is Mexican, so we asked a friend if she new of | | | | very good. For appetizer, we like to get Queso |
| any good Mexican restaurants in the area. She | | | | Fundido con Chorizo, which is melted cheese and |
| took us to her favorite, and it immediately | | | | chorizo sausage bits, or Pico De Gallo, which is |
| became our favorite, too. | | | | tomatoes, onions, cilantro, cheese, and avocado. |
| El Charro, in the Puerta de Tierra neighborhood of | | | | Our favorite entree is the Tripleta Burrito, which |
| San Juan, sits quietly at the end of a busy yet | | | | combines chicken and steak and bacon (healthy!!) |
| narrow street in a working-class part of town. | | | | along with lettuce, tomato, onions, and cilantro. |
| Parking is only available on the street, but there | | | | The burrito is then covered with a large portion of |
| always seems to be plenty of it. Inside, the | | | | melted cheese and some decorative chips. |
| restaurant is fairly small upstairs, with six tables | | | | Tripleta Tacos are hand-fried corn tortillas filled |
| and a small counter area. There is additional | | | | with only the meat filling. If you still have room |
| seating downstairs, though, where they also hold | | | | after that, try the Flan de Tequila; subtle hints of |
| concerts and special parties. The decor is simple | | | | tequila in a creamy flan. Prices are all very |
| but fun. Bright colors are splashed on walls where | | | | reasonable (if you don't have too many |
| odd artifacts of Mexican heritage hang, including | | | | margaritas). |
| the required sombrero. The tables are a woven, | | | | The owners of El Charro just recently celebrated |
| almost wicker-like design, probably hand-made. | | | | their 5 year anniversary with an evening-long |
| But the food and drink is why we end up there | | | | party opened to everyone. Puerto Rican musicians |
| almost once a week. The margaritas are the best | | | | Descarga sat outside and played wonderful music |
| we've tasted in a very long time. Made with fresh | | | | while guests enjoyed great food and wonderful |
| lime juice and good tequila, they are easy to drink | | | | drinks. |
| before, during, and after a meal. The food is | | | | |