El Chicano

Location: 6 N. Earl Avenue, Lafayette, IN (map it)
Phone: (765) 448-4206
Cuisine: Mexican

For the past year or so, I’ve had a lot of people sending me requests to try out El Chicano. And I’ve been meaning to go. In fact, one time I tried to go, but couldn’t find it. (They had changed locations and I had the wrong address.) So tonight, when it was time to pick a new place to try, I decided it was high time we try out El Chicano, and I am SO GLAD we did.

First, it is located at the corner of Earl and South Street, right in the strip mall on the corner. It shares space with the New York Deli, I think they share a menu and I saw a tip on Foursquare that you can order off the menu from both places. So that’s a neat little combo.

The restaurant was practically empty and very small, but it was clean and nicely decorated. There was a TV on the wall showing a Mexican soap opera and Jarritos in a cooler. (Those are the first things my husband looks for when entering a Mexican restaurant.) It’s not a fancy place, very casual and comfortable.

We were greeted warmly and told to sit anywhere, so we did. We were given chips and salsa. The salsa was very fresh and the chips were good too. The menu had your standard fare, mostly ordered a la carte, but they did have things you don’t often see at most Mexican restaurants, including tripe and salted beef.

I ordered a taco de carne asada and a tostada with chicken. My husband ordered his favorite, the huevos con chorizo. Once our order was taken, I could hear the chef cooking in the back, and maybe it’s not for everyone, but I enjoyed the sounds of the sizzling grill.

The food was really good. The grilled chicken on the tostada was very flavorful. I have no idea what he did to make it taste that good, because my chicken tacos at home are never that tasty. My taco was excellent as well. My husband was practically drooling into his huevos con chorizo. He said the tortillas were delicious. He said the huevos con chorizo were the best he’d had in town.

The service was great, our server friendly, and the owner greeted us warmly as we left. We were very impressed. This may be my new favorite Mexican restaurant. They also appear to have alcohol, although I didn’t order any this time. (Next time!)

Thanks for the recommendation, readers!  I really enjoyed it.

Kid Friendly: Yes.