PROFILED BY DEGROOTSEntering through the hole-in-the-wall entrance on Avoca Street, the interior of Azteca’s is plastered with Mariachi hats, landscapes of the homeland and the sound of The Doors belting out their version of Gloria (awesome). Scanning the menu we start with the cinco en uno: a combination of five dips served with some of the best corn chips I’ve ever had. Moving on, an order of ceviche (diced fish marinated in lemon juice with tomato, onion and chilli) is a refreshing introduction to the mains.
The soundtrack for the night skipped from The Doors to Cream to Hendrix. So, feeling adventurous, we skipped the usual suspects and went for the more unusual chilayo: pork ribs with the meat falling off the bone and sauce which combines three different chillies. Next came the mole poblano: chicken fillets with a traditional bitter chocolate sauce served with corn tortillas. Towards the end of the meal Jose came out to inform us of his starring role in the Nintendo Wii commercial, entertained us with the hilarious story of how he escaped a trip to the mountains with Health Ledger and left us with a disc of his recordings. We left satisfied with full bellies and smiles on our faces, rocking out to Jose Cruz’s version of House of the Rising Sun.
Drey Haywood, March 2006
