Nuevo Leon

The rapping Mexican herself, Alex Peen, introduced me to Nuevo Leon right around the time I moved back to Chicago, about a year ago. I had been living in NYC, where finding good Mexican food takes a trek to the outer boroughs. Heck, good Tex-Mex can be hard to find there. So when we walked into Nuevo Leon, in Pilsen, on that fateful day, I was really itching for some delicious, authentic Mexican food. And the restaurant did not disappoint.

The menu is extensive - ranging from Chicharrones Con Huevos En Salsa (Pork rinds covered in salsa) to Pastel De Tres Leches (Butter cake in a crispy shell, soaked in 3 milks). The meal always starts out with a complimentary cup of homemade chicken and vegetable soup, which usually includes an entire boiled chicken wing, as well as a serving of spicy pickled carrots, onions, and jalapenos - and freshly fried tortilla chips with homemade (spicy) salsa.

From here, it's up to you. A few of my recommendations...

• Queso Panela - on the appetizer menu, this could serve as a meal for most. That's right - a meal of JUST cheese. To be more specific, you get five pieces of grilled panela cheese topped with a blend of grilled diced tomatoes, onion, and jalapenos. The panela cheese, which I had never had or even heard of, reminded me of a salty mozzarella. The dish arrived decorated with nice brown grill marks on both sides and was quite delicious.

• Refried Beans with an order of Flour Tortillas - what can I say about this combination which is the simplest and for me, one of the most satisfying meals one can eat. Their flour tortillas are freshly made, thick and chewy.

• Camaron Al Mojo De Ajo - This is a huge platter of shrimp, which is heavily seasoned and covered in a red pimento sauce, placed on a bed of lettuce, red rice, tomatoes and decorated with a light crumbling of queso fresco. One of the best dishes I've had at a restaurant in months. And I couldn't finish it, which is saying a lot about the portion size.

So I say to you dear reader, run, take a train(pink line), a bus(ashland bus), a car(your lincoln mercury) or a helicopter(you can rent one). Just get there, to Nuevo Leon, this weekend. You can thank me on Monday!

(Also, they randomly have a coloring game on their web site that's really fun! HERE)