Over on Serious Eats today they have an article about “How to Judge a Mexican Restaurant“. They spoke of the “Chile relleno test”. I’ve actually heard of a test like this from others, but it was more specifically the chile relleno burrito that I was told helps one judge restaurant. I’m sure we’ve all heard the how “many people of the ethnic origin of the restaurant you are eating at are eating there, test”, which is the one I typically use. Honestly I don’t really know if any of these work, but it leads to a great conversation.
How do you judge an ethnic restaurant? Is it one of the aforementioned ways or do you have your own special formula you’d like to share?
3 thoughts on “How Do You Judge A Restaurant?”
I judge Mexican restaurants on three items, if any of them fail, that means no not pass the frijoles. My test is Tacos, Enchiladas, and The Chile Rellenos.
Because LA has such a diverse population, I definitely follow the “ethnic origin diner quota” theory. I also tend to expect that they do what they are known for, so don't judge them on something else. (i.e. get steak at a steak house, not the fish!). I'm a tax attorney specialist, but somehow people expect me to know the same level of detail about other legal areas. I can do ok, but it's not my thing. I keep that same thing in mind at a restaurant.
Because LA has such a diverse population, I definitely follow the “ethnic origin diner quota” theory. I also tend to expect that they do what they are known for, so don't judge them on something else. (i.e. get steak at a steak house, not the fish!). I'm a tax attorney specialist, but somehow people expect me to know the same level of detail about other legal areas. I can do ok, but it's not my thing. I keep that same thing in mind at a restaurant.