I don’t like Mexican. I am not sure if it’s because of the flavors or that my image of the food genre was tainted because of going to too many Taco Bells as a child. Even during one of many trips to Mexico, I was had pressed to find Mexican to enjoy.
I think that the problem that I have (and I’m sure I’m not alone) is that Mexican goes beyond tacos and burritos—the items most often associated with fast food chains. Upon entering the new location of Mezcal Tequila Cantina, it was immediately evident that the time and money the owners put towards every detail of the aesthetics in the restaurant would be carried through the menu too.
I am a creative and experimental eater, but I will admit, seeing the vast selections of menu items was overwhelming and the fear of choosing something that I may not like (“I know I won’t like!”) trumped my gut instinct to choose a house specialty. I found safety in the taco section and decided on the BBQ Duck soft shell corn tortilla, which included three tacos, shaved lettuce, red radish, jack cheese, and was served with Mexican rice.
I was quick to notice that my dining companions’ dishes looked exotic and delicious—I was jealous the instant I saw the Duck Confit Chimichangas, Jerk-seared Salmon Filet, and even the Mole Chicken. I immediately questioned my decision to order “safe.”
The tacos were a delicate soft shell tortilla that rolled effortlessly around the meat; they were certainly large enough to jam-pack with the cheese and lettuce without making a mess after the first bite. What surprised me the most, however, was the duck. Sure, in my mind it seems like tacos would be the easiest meal in the world to make (disclaimer: I’ve never made tacos at home), but it would take a gourmet chef to prepare the BBQ duck as they did for the tacos. The BBQ duck seemed out of place in my mind, like wearing a tuxedo to a pool party. Granted, the combination of the meat and tacos made for an extraordinary meal, but the duck was so good Mezcal could have artistically dolloped the portion onto an oversized white serving dish and charged double for fine dining. Beautifully pulled apart, the meat was incredibly moist with the gamey flavor unique to the bird, complimented by the perfect amount of house made BBQ. The duck was exquisite.
Overall, I was very pleased that my first Mexican meal at the new location of Mezcal was safe and fulfilling. Knowing the flavors that existed in such a “simple” dish made me wish that I had gone outside the border of my comfort zone and tried one of the especialidades de la casa. But, I am pleased that I know that I can enjoy Mexican when it’s done right and I look forward to many more trips to Major Taylor Boulevard in Worcester, MA.