I’m a fan of Mexican food.
GOOD Mexican food, that is, and I’m picky.
And by ‘good,’ I don’t necessarily mean ‘classy.’ I’m no snob, by any means; some of the best Mexican food comes out of the seediest looking joints.
As long as they have good rice, I just close my eyes and try not to think about what the meat is really made of.
Because I judge Mexican food by two things: the chips, and the rice.
Papacitas…. all time best chips, hands down; mediocre rice.
Don Juan’s… great rice. But those chips…well, let’s just say they’re great as a vehicle for the guacamole, which is MuY FaBuLoSo.
Posado’s…decent rice, decent chips. Same for Casa Ole.
Tele’s in Gladewater… best all around chips AND rice. And those beans! Oh, baby. Two thumbs up.
AT least that’s my .02 .
I’ve tried to learn to make really good Mexican rice at home.
And by tried, I mean dedicated years of my life to the pursuit of it.
To no avail.
Most recently I’ve tried Pioneer Woman’s.
Meh.
Too tomato-y.
Too sticky.
And then Homesick Texan’s. I was so excited when I found her recipe, for I thought for sure hers would be The Holy Grail of Mexican rice recipes.
More yellow than red, she said. Yes!
I chopped my onion… 
I added a few of my favorite things. Garlic. Lime. Butter.
I sauteed my onion in the butter. Mmm… onions cooking: one of the yummiest smells ever, right up there with bacon, lavender baby lotion, Cavender’s Boot City, and Men’s True Religion cologne…
And then she lost me. Tomato paste. Eww. I thought since there was just a little it would be ok…. but it wasn’t. 
But then one last redeeming factor: cilantro. I love cilantro… But it wasn’t enough to overcome the tomato.
The rice was sticky. And worse, it was tomato-y. My family loved it…
But I was left unfulfilled. My lifelong quest for perfect Mexican rice, thwarted.
I’ve mastered chicken enchiladas. I know better than to attempt tamales. Or even tortillas. But great Mexican rice? Even a gringo should be able to do it.
And if you could point me to the recipe I’d be muy agradecido.
And also… mas gordo.
Mas, mas gordo.
But it would be worth it.
Me too! I'm really good at all the things that go with Mexican rice, but the rice itself has to be bought from a local restaurant. I would love to find a tried and true Texas recipe. Please post if you get one. I don't like the sticky tomatoey ones either.
How can Papacita's AND Tele's have the best all round chips? Papacita's wins due to the seasoning on theirs. I'm sure many a relationship has been tested, and many a fist-fight has ensued over who got the chip that was almost black with that seasoning. It's like a treasure hunt digging through that basket to find the seasoniest one!Mmmm!~
Wow, so unlike YOU to be argumentative, MTaylor! I meant Papacitas has the best CHIPS. Teles has the best COMBINATION of chips plus rice. <br /><br />But let's go to Papacitas so we can have a fist fight!!! I'm always looking for a reason to teach you a lesson. 😉
Awww. That's cute. But just know that I'm the Indiana Jones of finding treasure chips. But since it's you, I'd probably let you have it. I always feel sorry for those less fortunate. 😉
As long as you don't make me eat the leftovers. 😉
y'all are making me want to put my fist right in the middle of all the chips.. just send 'em all flying!
Wow. The HOSTILITY! I think she's jealous.
ha!! no, i think you should take a tour of alllll the mexican restaurants in east texas, and write about the pros and cons of the rice and chips at each. eat up, sister! october 1st right around the corner..
Melissa you wrecked me for Mexican when you took me to that place with the Tortilla Machine. I have not had a decent meal from a Mexican restaurant since that day. I guess Oregon can't do Mexican for some reason……too far from the border?<br />But when you come here, we'll have Thai food.<br />Melissa Huntley
melissa, if you ever try this recipe, you will never want to go back to store-bought tortillas again…ever. http://www.texascooking.com/features/sept98flourtortillas.htm. mmmmm…sooooo good. good luck with the rice thing though…and do another post if you ever find a winner. i think we are all needing a recipe. and soooo drooling over the thought of papacita's chips and casa ole's