I really wanted to like El Mariachi Authentic Mexican Food in Dyer, Ind., I really did. After hearing about the great eats at this place, I was stoked when I finally tried it recently. It was a major disapppointment for me and my dining partner. Possibly the fact that one of the cooks called off that night had something to do with it? I'm not sure. This was my experience.
There is a parking lot for customers across the street, which is a good sign. The restaurant is deceptively small looking from the outside but, upon entering, a large, noisy restaurant that features a bar area, and tables and booths (some of them family-size booths) revealed itself. A sign said "Wait to be Seated." After a 10-minute wait, a harried-looking server told us to seat ourselves anywhere.
So far, so good. A bus boy brought us lacklustre chips and good salsa, menus and the beverages of our choice. Again, so far, so good. Soon afterward, our waitress took our order, stating that everyone receives complimentary soup. I'm a soupie, so I was looking forward to it. Thirty minutes later, the soup arrived. Then, 1 minute later, our entrées arrived. But that was a blessing in disguise because the soup was a watery tomato-chicken broth with rather dark-looking macaroni.
OK, so the entrées had to be better, right? My pork Burrito Ranchero was enormous and not bad tasting, but it was napped with slices of melted processed cheese and a small amount of ranchero sauce on top. The bean accompaniment was good, but the Mexican rice (called Spanish rice on the menu) was overcooked and the flavor was off. My partner's steak Enchiladas Suizas were made with tiny squares of thin steak and, again, slices of processed cheese on top, and the same good beans but overcooked rice.
The ground beef Sope I had was not hot enough and the grated cheese on top never had a chance to melt, but the flavor was good. There were free refills on the sodas and the bus boy helping the two servers (yes, there were only two servers on a Saturday night) did his best to keep us in pop and tortilla chips. But it didn't make up for this dining experience.
I love Mexican food and I would say I'm a fairly good judge of authentic Mexican food. This wasn't it. But, every restaurant, like every chef, has a bad day, so I'm willing to give El Mariachi in Dyer a second chance.
El Mariachi Authentic Mexican Food
Address: 2013 Hart St., Dyer, IN 46311-1736
Phone: 219-322-9566, 855-583-7993 (tollfree)
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Website: http://www.elmariachidyer.com
Email: info@elmariachidyer.com
Price: $ to $$
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