Not Your Ordinary Margarita

Somewhere new!  Tonight we went to Laredos Grill on lower Queen Anne.  It's been open for awhile now but this was our first visit.  Making quite the transformation in what was formerly Veil, our bartender/server told us the story of how the owners (one a Texan) traveled through South Texas experiencing the food and ended up in a Laredo warehouse sorting through a widower's antiques trying to find appropriate decor.  The multiple prayer boxes mounted on the exposed brick are prime examples of their findings.

While musing over what to eat, I spotted something on the menu that I had to drink - Avocado Margarita.  What? Disgusting you say - oh no Honey, very tasty.  They take their signature blended margarita, add avocado puree to it and give it another whirl in the blender.  The result is not overly avocado-ish, but a sublime, creamy and perfectly balanced drink.  For someone whom tequila is the last liquor of choice, this drink was outstanding. The menu tells a story of how the recipe also traveled from Texas, so it must feel at home in Laredos. 

As for food, Rob and I shared the  Tacos Al Pastor and the Quesadillas with Mesquite Grilled Carne Asada.  For those that don't know, Tacos Al Pastor is a hard thing to find in the Seattle area - Barrio serves a version, but they are not prepared traditionally; there is a cart that can be found in the Fremont Market, but that available only on the weekends and then you're subject to the whims of the Seattle weather.  We were excited to see that at Laredos, their Pastor was prepared in the traditional manner, on a big metal stick, in a vertical spit and with a pineapple on top.  While the tacos were good and close to what you can get in Mexico - they needed a little more pineapple and cilantro,  the quesadillas were better.  Three-cheesy goodness with just enough smoky mesquite from the carne asada coming through.  Both were fine accompaniments for my avo-rita.

We will go back to Laredos again, most likely for the happy hour (4-6 daily) where we can get three of the tacos for $4 along with $2 Tecate cans.  Muy bueno!

Photots by Rob