Is it the food or the ambience? Is it the chips or the mariachis? Or is it the music from the jukebox or the noise from the people talking? For me, it's usually the food, followed by the ambiance of the place. Good food is what makes a mexican restaurant memorable because if the cooks are able to make something that you like. then you'll come back. Some of my favorite mexican restaurants growing up was the original Zendejas, located on Mountain Ave at the intersection of Riverside in Chino, CA, followed by La Cabaña, on the NE corner of Holt and Palomares in Pomona, CA and Tropical Mexico, on East End in Pomona, before Grand Ave.
Zendejas on Mountain Ave and Riverside Dr, was my introduction to good mexican food, but due to past instances and many changes, the place became too over-priced and the food and ambience wasn't enjoyable anymore. Back in the '80's to the early '90's, I would order a bean and cheese burrito, or a bean tostada or two tacos, with beans, rice and a salad, usually with ranch dressing, and they were very good. Then suddenly, I was introduced to other mexican restaurants and those became my favorite.
The other mexican restaurant that I am referring to is where Mocajete was located. On that corner of Palomares and Holt Avenue, in Pomona, was a place called La Cabana. This mexican restaurant became the pit stop from hospital visits and for pre-surgery meals. This place had a more laid back atmosphere, with dimmer lighting and murals of mexican landscapes. They also had a great salsa because it came served in a small reddish, black-brown cauldron with the word salsa on the front. Also, great burritos too, especially a bean and cheese burrito and a ground beef burrito served enchilada style with red sauce. La Cabana closed shop in the mid-'90's and was replaced by a restaurant founded in Walnut, Osunas. They opened up shop here, and still kept their original store in Walnut. They claimed to have great fish tacos ( I wouldn't know because I don't eat fish tacos) because my family said so. It was okay, but I missed La Cabana, but another restaurant quickly filled that gap.
This last Mexican restaurant that I like and is presently my favorite is Tropical Mexico ("Trop Mex") This mexican restaurant has been around since the '70's ( and has a lot of history. For information on said history, go to tropmex.com) and I only recently tried it out 11 years ago. When I first went in, it seemed to be a pit stop for educators because there appeared to be a lot around, nestled in the corner booth, opposite the bar, and it just seemed cooler than the outside. It appeared that educators came here after hours for the Happy Hour and also for vacation lunches. Seeing educators out of their element ( not at school, being administrators or teachers), laughing and having a good time, seemed foreign to me.
The ambience was cool and very dark and very seedy looking, but they went through renovations in the late '90's and now the place looks brighter and more enjoyable. They even added a patio to accommodate large parties and the overflow from the dining area. My favorite dishes to get there are the tacos and the cheese enchiladas. For a while you could get flour tortilla chips in addition to the standard corn tortilla chips. The wait staff is very good, though during certain times, you are left to your own devices and that might annoy people who want more drink or are ready for the bill. It's been believed that they are allowing you to enjoy yourself, so they don't interrupt.
So, it seems that what makes a good dining experience for me is quality of food and the ambiance.
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