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| Salsa's = ICK!; Avoid at all costs! | |
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| Topic Started: Dec 6 2008, 08:40:18 PM (886 Views) | |
| Dev | Dec 6 2008, 08:40:18 PM Post #1 |
"No day but today."
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When I got my monthly e-mail newsletter from Knox City recently, the opening of a new restaurant peaked my interest. It's called Salsa's and it's "Fresh Mex Grill". I was immediately excited. "Finally!" I thought to myself, "There's a place here like Mucho Gusto!" (For those of you not from Oregon, Mucho Gusto is a "Mexican" grill place specialising in Build-Your-Own Mexican-style food. It is YUM!!!) Needless to say, I begged Nick to take me there this weekend. We just got back and I'll tell ya'...I've never had worse "Mexican" (using the term very, very loosely in this instance) food in my life. The first sign of a bad culinary experience was the fact that all meals come with fries. Not a good sign. Regardless to this early warning sign, we opted for a chicken "Fajita Burrito" (oxymoron much?) and a Quesadilla. The Quesadilla was served with salsa one can only assume came from a no-name store brand jar. It was also served with ranch dressing. Now, I'm no big fan of ranch dressing anyway, but this is THE WORST ranch you will ever behold. Usually I can tell you why something is bad, but this ranch leaves me lost for words. The Quesadilla is made from an undercooked flour tortilla and cheap tasty cheese. 'Nuf said. As for the famed "Fajita Burrito"? Well, this creation was supposed to have grilled chicken, coriander, cheese, salsa, salad and lime rice. The tortilla was doughy, and the lime rice was Asian-style sticky rice with lime juice squirted in. The very last bite was the first time I had detected any flavour in the entire meal. The best way to describe this pathetic excuse for a burrito is: Soggy! I'm not sure if this place is a chain or a once-off, but stay away my friends! The last time I saw a specimen like that, they had to shoot the horse. |
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Devon ----------------------- "What a shame that bitter irony has no nutritional value." 
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| shylady | Dec 6 2008, 09:14:09 PM Post #2 |
oldYank
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Look's like it's a new franchise Salsa's, a few in Melbourne and Sydney.  Thanks for the head's-up! Hopefully it won't get to Perth!  Lisa |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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| Dev | Dec 6 2008, 11:15:14 PM Post #3 |
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"No day but today."
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Yep! That's the one. ICK!!! |
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Devon ----------------------- "What a shame that bitter irony has no nutritional value."
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| pastrycook-136 | Dec 6 2008, 11:49:53 PM Post #4 |
True Blue Mate
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I ate from a "Mexican" place in the upstairs Chadstone Mall foodcourt and it would barely rate as "OK". The meal plus a drink cost nearly $14.00 too! I also remember fnding a Spanish error on the menu saying that something is served with "con carne". Con carne is not a food, it means "with meat" in Spanish. Chili con carne would be more correct. Taco Bell would be very successful here in Australia. |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| TerritorianTori | Dec 6 2008, 11:55:15 PM Post #5 |
It couldn't happen here
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When I first moved to Oz, there were a few Taco Bells around. Unfortunately, they were nothing like the ones in the States (menu-wise) and eventually went out of business.
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 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| Pauline | Dec 7 2008, 06:27:45 AM Post #6 |
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Chinwagger
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As an Aussie here in the States, I have to admit that Mexican food is the last thing on my list to eat. Most other Aussies that I know(except for my eldest son) weren't really too interested with Mexican food either, I am wondering if that is what you are coming up against in Australia. Just thinking of refried beans makes me want to gag...it's like someone has already chewed my food for me. GROSS! Have you thought of starting your own Mexican place to eat, maybe a little take away somewhere? There seems to be a lot more Americans in Australia now and I am sure you could make a good go of it. Maybe something like the Spud Train or a meat pie stand? If anyone knows of a dim sim that is the same as we have back in Australia, I would give anything for that information! Mmm, steamed dimmie with soy sauce.
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| SanDiablo | Dec 7 2008, 09:48:13 AM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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The best Mexican food I have found is in my kitchen. Kevin has learned to make corn tortillas and has dissected his favorite brand of salsa (Herdez) until he has re-created it perfectly. I specialize in refried beans and chile verde. Mmm, are you hungry yet? BTW - Coles carries a new line of cheese called "cheddar" although, of course it is still white. It tastes pretty good and melt almost like the cheese we are used to... I like the idea of opening our own authentic place...can you just picture a roach-coach parked in front of Circular Quay selling greasy al-pastor tacos with onions, cilantro and radishes to late night opera fans? I think Australians will never embrace the foreign flavours of Mexico the same way I will never embrace butter on sandwiches. Some things, you just have to grow up with to appreciate. Pauline, where are you? There are heaps of dim sum restaurants - on the west coast, anyway. I know some good ones in San Francisco and a great one in LA. However, I have never tasted any better than here in Sydney! |
| "I'll try anything twice." | |
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| NurseJules | Dec 7 2008, 10:11:16 AM Post #8 |
True Blue Mate
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I too have fallen victim to the Mexican food at the Chadstone food court. Yea, definitely not worth the $15. Thanks for the head's up Dev. I will say Taco Bill's (there was one near where my BF grew up in Melton, but I know theres a few in the city) isn't too bad. And if you live in the western outskirts of the city, just across from Flemington Racecource off Epsom Rd there's a little place called "Tres Tacos" that I rate ok. My BF and I get takeaway from them every now and then and they have all plates $15 on Tuesdays. Definitely more authentic Mexican than what you're describing Dev. And I'm pretty sure the cooks and a few of the waitresses are actually of Mexican origin 
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| Judy | Dec 7 2008, 10:45:38 AM Post #9 |
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True Blue Mate
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Here's one Aussie who does like Mexican food - especially what I've had in California. However I remember eating at a Mexican restaurant in Shepparton, Victoria, many years ago, and liking that too. (Though back then I had not yet had the real thing in the US so I had no standard of comparison.) |
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| i<3sydney | Dec 9 2008, 08:27:23 AM Post #10 |
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True Blue Mate
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i was so disappointed when i came back for the 2nd time and the taco bell's had closed yeah they were different but i always got the same thing and i LOVED it! they had a chicken quesadilla thing that they didn't have on the menu back home and it was soo good! and i got a nacho supreme - meat, so can't really mess that up too much! anyhoo.. i've yet to go to a mexican restaurant here in sydney. all the bad reviews i've heard about mexican in aus on this board have kinda made me stear clear. plus.. there is nothing worse for me than paying a lot of money for a bad meal. or just getting a meal that leaves me unsatisfyed and disappoined. hate that! so if there is potential, i avoid it. i guess that's why i'm not so adventureous when it comes to food! my husband is pretty much the same, so it works well. we are really predictable when it comes to food :P if i do visit a "mexican" restaurant in sydney, i definately will give it a review though! otherwise, i'm waiting for july to return home. day 1 i will be hitting my fav mexican restaurant in my hometown! |
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| deanna712 | Dec 9 2008, 08:38:52 AM Post #11 |
True Blue Mate
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I so miss Mexican food! We had the best place in Iowa (Azteca I, II and III); a family owned hole in the wall with to die for food! When I make my first trip back to Iowa in July, 09 I will be making a stop there for sure. Here in Torquay...there is NOT ONE single Mexican restaurant worth a darn. I haven't checked any out in Geelong (although there aren't many), but keeping my fingers crossed there might be something worth while. We ate tons of Mexican at home; here we've replaced it with Indian! Oh well...some of the best Indian food I have had I ate right in Geelong! |
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deanna | |
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| gpierce | Dec 9 2008, 02:33:16 PM Post #12 |
True Blue Mate
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You know, Mexican food here is definitely not as good as Californian Mexican, but there are still a few halfway decent ones. In general I like Montezuma's and they're pretty much the same wherever you go: http://www.montezumas.com.au/locations.htm I've been to most of them in Sydney and a few of them are OK. There's a supposed Tex-Mex one in Newport that I haven't tried yet. It's possible it's good:) Greg |
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| MrsHippo | Dec 10 2008, 06:47:17 PM Post #13 |
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True Blue Mate
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Guzman & Gomez in Newtown (and a few other locations?) is good. It's not fancy, but they use real tortillas, black beans and fresh ingredients. I seriously could sit there all day and eat. Seriously. Ask Natasha.  |
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Val Dual US / Canadian citizen from Toronto, ON Sydney Dec 2007 - Aug 2011 | |
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| natasha_alena | Dec 10 2008, 08:36:29 PM Post #14 |
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True Blue Mate
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Every sentence in the above post is true!! Haha. Love me some Guzman's!!! |
| "You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather" | |
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| i<3sydney | Dec 11 2008, 09:04:28 AM Post #15 |
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True Blue Mate
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^ never heard of that one. might have to head to newtown soon. haven't been there in ages! is it on the main road (i forget what the name of the main road is.. the one by the train station where there are a lot of shops) |
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| CheekyOne | Dec 11 2008, 09:55:21 AM Post #16 |
True Blue Mate
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But they put almonds and potatoes in their chicken burritos..  (at least at the Montezumas in Bris)
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| natasha_alena | Dec 11 2008, 11:12:13 AM Post #17 |
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True Blue Mate
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Yep, it's on King St! If you get off at the Newtown station, turn right, cross the street as soon as you can and walk about two or three blocks. It's on a corner! |
| "You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather" | |
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| gpierce | Dec 11 2008, 07:45:26 PM Post #18 |
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True Blue Mate
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OK, ask them to make it without them:) Greg |
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| CheekyOne | Dec 12 2008, 12:02:22 AM Post #19 |
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True Blue Mate
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I would if they were the only game in town but i've found 2 other mexican restaurants here in Bris that are so much better so I havn't bothered going back.
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| i<3sydney | Dec 14 2008, 08:14:20 AM Post #20 |
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True Blue Mate
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they also have a guzman & gomez in bondi junction. i was there the other day and i walked right past it. then i backed up and read the sign and remembered we were talking about this place here. so yeah, if that is closer for anyone, just thought i would mention. didn't try it though. i had just eaten 2 fresh churros (so so bad of me!) but i go to bondi junction a far bit, so i'll give it a go sometime
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