Tex-Mex with extra chilly
December 30, 2008
I've spent a lifetime trying to avoid places like the Texas Embassy Cantina. I can't say I've been a hundred percent successful, but I do my best not to eat in any part of town where tourists outnumber locals.
Located all but IN Trafalgar Square, Texas Embassy would therefore never be my first choice of foodery, much though I love Mex and Tex-Mex food.
However, heading for a Sunday matinee at the Haymarket Theatre with my daughter, and unable to winnow out what she would really like to eat, it was a default selection, being open, close to the theatre and having a pretty varied menu...I chose to ignore the fact that everyone else there; staff and punters alike, counted English as their second or third language.
The huge room is decorated with great paint effects to look sort of Mex grunge, with some Tex accents thrown in for luck.
The menu too is pretty well split between American stuff (chicken sandwich, burger etc.) and Mex (burritos, chimichangas etc.).
A basket of non-factory corn chips and a decently spicy salsa were brought to the table - no charge - as we meandered through the menu: a nice touch, and very welcome.
I selected a veggie burrito, while Emma the Daughter went for a chicken sandwich.
The burrito was stuffed with black beans and a little cheese...a VERY little cheese. It was served with rice and a puddle of more black beans. No salsa was offered, so I used the remains of our freebie to moisten the dry and very boring burrito. Little flavour, little variety of taste or texture and bugger all imagination had gone into this dish, and I can't believe anyone on the staff had actually eaten this; if they had, I reckon they would have advised some add-ons, at the very least!
Emma the Daughter's sandwich came with a big portion of fries which to my eye look a bit flacid and pale, but I didn't get a chance to try any on for size, so they can't have been TOO bad. She said the sandwich was fine, with some decent flavours and plenty of filling...I wouldn't know...I wasn't offered any!
A welcome aspect was the presence of Anchor Steam beer, though only in weeny wee bottles for a HUGE £3.95.
Service was good, prices were OK for the locale, though maybe not for the food.
Altogether a fairly neutral experience, and one that reinforces my decision to avoid tourist haunts...but too late!
Also...it's a BIG room, and on a cold day there was a distinct lack of heat...and I mean in both senses.
Keywords: tex mex, Central London, tourist,
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