Good gosh, I have great memories of Jorge’s, their deadlier-than-jet-fuel margaritas (just halfway into one and you were having an internal conversation about driving home), and the closest plate of enchiladas to New Mexican red in town. The local microcar club met there, so we partook monthly of the wares. After a decade-long mourning period after Jorge’s closed, we finally set foot into La Mancha, the Jorge replacement.
The margaritas are strong (but not as strong [thank Gawd!]) and the food good, although that fave plate of red (topped with a fried egg no less) is long gone. La Mancha is festive with ample indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff, and a deep menu. The joint is popular but not so popular as to force you to wait 45 minutes in the wilting screams of yet another 100-plus-degree day.
Based on our few visits, dishes with fishes are La Mancha’s strength. The Bride raved about her grilled fish tacos ($16) and, on a recent visit, her Gulf Red Snapper Fajitas were the star of the table ($21 for one [but enough for two]). I found exactly what I needed with the El Numero Dos Combo Plate (a sour cream chicken enchilada, a truck stop enchilada, and a crispy beef taco with rice and refried; $15). The Mancha offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday until 3 pm, and The Bride gave their migas smiling approval, raving about how fresh they tasted. And their chips are delightfully crunchy, thick but blistered with thin crunchbubbles.
The Casamigos Martini (Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and olive juice; $15) and the Casamigos Top Shelf (hold the olive juice; $15) were ample and delicious. However, The Bride found The Margo 3-2-1 Margarita (3 parts Casamigos Reposado, 2 parts Paula’s Texas Orange, and 1 part lime juice; $15) a bit too acidic, while I found the seasonal watermelon margarita refreshing and an easy imbibe. Oddly, La Mancha does not provide prices on drinks—you drink, you bill, and then you find out. But whatever they cost, they are half price during happy hour.
La Mancha may not make the hipster lists, but it is a great place to go for easy-access TexMex in the hood with a great vibe.
La Mancha TexMex Cantina, 2203 Hancock Drive, (512) 467-4108, lamanchatexmex.com
I wrote this review for the Allandale Neighbor.
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