Sunday, October 18, 2009

Meet Ya at Yxta

Yxta is one of the many non-divey Mexican restaurants popping up all over Downtown, albeit Yxta's location is not quite Downtown proper.
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In fact, Yxta is sort of in a not-so-great area, so drive your junker.

The inside of Yxta looks like it belongs elsewhere (i.e., not in this neighborhood).
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The patrons are not from this neighborhood either. Most are thirsty yuppies seeking post-work refreshment.

This thirsty yuppie came for happy hour with several friends.

Yxta Margarita ($5).
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Refreshing but not strong enough. Not surprising for just $5.

Guacamole -- Hass avocado, red onion, cilantro ($6).
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Fresh and very very good. Really liked the topping of sunflower seeds.

Tacos de papa -- spicy mashed potatoes, cabbage, crema fresca, quesco fresco ($6).
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The shells were beautifully golden and crunchy, but the potatoes were sorely lacking in flavor. The tacos sat atop even more flavorless potatoes. Spicy? Not even close.

Tacos al pastor -- marinated pork, pineapple, red onions, cilantro ($6).
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Best of the bunch. Well-spiced and paired creatively with sweet and tangy pineapple.

Tacos de carnitas -- slow-cooked pork, guacamole, onion-cilantro mix ($6).
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Tasty but nothing beyond your usual carnitas.

Tacos de tinga de pollo -- pulled chicken with chipotle ($6).
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These had a decent kick. The tacos de papa could learn a thing or two from these.

Sopes de tinga, carnitas, calabacitas, chorizo, pastor with cabbage, crema fresca, frijoles olla, queso cotija ($6).
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I wanted to love this, but there was just too much going on. It is a great deal, though, if you're just looking for sheer quantity of food and bang for your buck.

Chipotle wings ($6).
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Gross. Not chipotle-like at all. It was like goopy nacho cheese.

As we left, the restaurant looked like this.
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Yxta is a pleasant place to meet for happy hour after work. The food didn't impress me enough, however, for a full-meal return visit.

If I'm going to the 'hood, the food has to be good.

15 comments:

  1. come visit me in dallas. i'll take you to a million places where you can get the same food (probably better and more authentic) for 1/4 of what you paid. plus, you'll get to hang out with me :-)!

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  2. I am so incredibly disappointed that the potato tacos sucked. They looked amazing in the picture.

    I would kill for a potato taco right now...

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  3. I think the $5 margaritas are enough for a return happy hour visit!

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  4. I agree with the last sentence. See, reading the first and last sentence DOES work. Genius!

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  5. Um...I believe you're missing a pic of the BEST thing at Yxta. The Dyson hand dryer. That feature alone is worth going to this restaurant.

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  6. I'm guessing the place is not pronounced "Yicks-tah?"

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  7. Your pictures of the dishes always make my mouth water. Good thing I read your posts while eating.

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  8. I think Border Grill does the genre of prettified Mexican food best! And it's not in the hood ;-)

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  9. That's disappointing that a $5 HH margy wasn't that great. It LOOKED good at least. I'm surprised at the food. I think your pictures did it more justice than it deserved. I got excited at the Chipotle wings but sad to hear it just tasted like nacho cheese. Yicks-tah is right.

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  10. Have you ever eaten any of this cuisine at a street truck/vendor in the hood? I swear when we go back I will venture to eat at one. I bet they have slammin' tacos.

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  11. You can get al pastor tacos with pineapple for a dollar each on York Blvd.!

    As for potato tacos, they are a bit bland but if you have some great salsa, then the potato taco becomes that much greater. It's kind of like a delivery mechanism for good salsa.

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  12. I love the idea of sunflower seeds on guac -- I may have to copy that at home!

    Too bad the rest of the food wasn't as inspired!

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  13. At least the food photographed well? Sorry it wasn't anything special.

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  14. But the company was more delicious than the food, right?

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