Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant
3095 W 11th Ave
Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 485-8636

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Looking for something a lot better than Burrito Boy (setting the bar REALLY low)? Not quite down with Chapala (suburban style Mexican food) or Taco Loco (tequilla-drenched place for drunk college kids), then head on down to Jalisco. Certainly not gourmet food, Jalisco nevertheless delivers some solid performers in a strip-mall environment.

I have to admit that for all the times i have eaten at Jalisco, i’ve ordered the same thing about 90% of the time: the Super Burrito. So I am no experto on the rest of the menu. That said, not being an experto has never stopped me before, so why should it stop me today? It shouldn’t. Glad you agree.

Before I get to the food, let me first mention one of the weird little things that I really like about Jalisco: there is a constant stream of Espanol conversation coming from the kitchen area staff and servers. It’s easily loud enough to hear, and in general they seem to be having a feliz time. I like the fact that the staff is performing their work with energy and efficiency but also having some fun at the same time. Of course, if food was delivered to my table slowly or incorrectly, I might be annoyed with all the chatterosity. But Jalisco has delivered top service for me on every single visit. The only potential downside of all the Espanol babble is that they could in fact being saying bad things about “el stupido Senor Eugenified” or they could be plotting to put “el carne del rat” in mi burrito. But I prefer to be optimistic and believe that they are not doing so.

Servicio: As I mentioned above it’s very good and reliable. Basically, they take your order, deliver chips, refill your bebidas, and give you the bill. While that does not seem so difficult to me (yes, I have worked in restaurants before), it seems to be a big challenge at many restaurants around Eugene (Cornucopia and Studio One come to mind). So let’s give Jalisco credit for a job that should be done right and actually is.

Salsa: I give their salsa 3 stars. Not spicy enough for me. Also too many green onions. But definitely better than the overly smooth-y mixture at places like Taco Loco and La Oficina. Also a lot better than the “blandsa” at places like Chili’s. (see secret tip below regarding habenero sauce).

Chips: Seemingly fresh-made (it’s hard to tell, and really, who cares as long as they taste good) and worthy of 4 stars. Not sure what a 5 star tortilla chip tastes like, as I am still searching for one.

Decor: They did a nice renovation a few months back, and while it still looks strip-mally, it is definitely better and more colorful than before. The blinds de venetian are not holding up well though.

Food: Well, the Super Burrito is very nice and that is what I order over and over again. Sometimes I will go for the two taco lunch special, whereupon I open them up and toss them around on the plate to make…you guessed it, a chopped-up Super Burrito. Yes, it’s true, basic Mexican food like this is essentially the same thing served in 20 different forms, but all tasting the same. In terms of filling, the shredded beef at Jalisco is better than the pollo (I usually prefer pollo). El porko filling looks ok but maybe too bland and spiceless.

Other Food: Had one big miss with beef fajitas; the beef seemed a bit “off”. But the carne asada was very fresh and nice tasting a few days ago when one of my fellow diners ordered it. I, of course, had the Super Burrito, as usual. Booooring! But gooooood!

Secret Habenero Sauce: You have to ask for this sauce since it is not listed anywhere on the menu nor is it offered standard with any dishes. It’s muy friggin’ picante and adds just the right amount of kick to just about any dish. You can also mix it into the slightly mild salsa to make it something more suitable for a macho vaquero or macha vaquera, as the case may be. (Is that real Spanish? My Spanish teacher, Senor Lopez at LCC, told me to just make up imaginary Spanish when I am not sure how to say something…So this is what I do.)

Summary: It’s not the Taj Mahal of Mexican Decor (what?), but in terms of food, so far, it’s the best Mexican food I’ve eaten in Eugene.

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