I moved here from southern Texas, where there's a good Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant on every corner. When I moved to Calgary, I tried desperately to find good Mexican food. A few places had a dish, maybe two, that weren't bad... and others had decent...food, but it was hardly authentic (tomato-basil sauce on a burrito? WTF?)
So when La Casa Latina opened just a few blocks from me, I was not expecting much.
Mind. Blown.
Firstly, I'll just say this: the fajitas are the best I've ever tasted. Ever. The chicken fajita is especially good, with flavourful, moist and juicy strips of chicken with strips of green pepper and mango(!)
If you're there with a friend, I can't recommend the molcajete enough. It's a stone bowl, bubbling with savoury sauce, cheese, veggies, and the meat of your choice. We have friends who drive up from Okotoks JUST to have this dish.
The guacamole is spectacular as well (and I don't even usually like guac) and if you've got the appetite, it's a must-order. Hell, you could just order the guac and skip the meal if you wanted.
Enchiladas are good, but are done in a more traditional Mexican/Central American way than the Tex-Mex versions I'm used to. The tacos al pastor (shredded pork cooked in pineapple) are perfect for lunch or a light dinner and my husband raves about the empanadas (meat pies).
Margaritas are good and not too sweet (at least the lime - haven't tried the others). Horchata (cold rice/cinnamon beverage) is a bit sweet for me, though.
Desserts include a ridiculously good fried ice cream ball and a "chocochanga" - a fried burrito filled with chocolate and a banana. Might want to share that one!
The family who runs the place are all very nice and the service is attentive but not overbearing. It's the go-to place whenever we have friends visiting and want to take them someplace with great food that won't drain the wallet.More