CHILANGO'S MEXICO CITY GRILL
142 UNIVERSITY AVE.
SAN DIEGO CA., 92103
619-294-8646
 By Robert Ross

"I was inspired to open Chilango's because of my love of Mexico" says owner Jeremy Kravetz. So, two years ago, Jeremy along with the very talented chef Rafael Medina, turned this love of Mexico into a reality.

Open seven days a week (Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Chilango's offers authentic regional cuisine from central and southern Mexico. The menu features breakfast (Friday through Sunday), lunch and dinner selections, for both the vegetarian and non vegetarian diner.

I dropped by Chilango's a little before the lunch hour, so I was able to get a table, By noon the placed was packed (it didn't take me long to figure out why the place was so popular). Chilango's has an order counter with tables both inside and out.

I started with tortillas and both the Green mole and regular mole sauce dip. The green mole sauce was made with cilantro, tomatillos, poblano chiles, roasted pumpkin seeds and spices. The mole was medium hot, unique and flavorful. According to the owner, the regular mole sauce is made with over thirty ingredients from peanuts to chocolate. I could have stopped right there and made that my lunch, but I had a job to do. Next I had the Caldo Xochitl soup which was a real treat. Made with chicken broth, chile poblano, tomatillos, spices, a slice of avocado, garbanzo beans, broiled chicken, and a wedge of lime, this was a soup that left flavors lingering in my mouth long after I finished. It's worth the trip to Chilango's just for the soup. I then tried the chicken tamale which was very attractively presented, laying in a bed of corn husks and topped with sliced sauted chiles, poblano strips and green mole sauce. Just the right balance of flavors

It was no wonder that Chilango's has, in just two years, become an award winning restaurant. The prices are very reasonable, they offer a healthy dinning menu, and a cuisine that you will want to tell others about.

Jeremy Kravetz was inspired to open Chilango's because of his love of Mexico. One trip to Chilango's and you'll understand what that love is all about.

Robert Ross can be reached by e-mail at: SanDiegoRoss@Yahoo.com