Casa Tequila boasts the only authentic Mexican food in Victoria - it certainly is among the authentic Mexican restaurants in Victoria (with credit given to Hernandez, but he's from El Salvador, and Adrianna's, which is a different regional style). The menu has been dumbed down somewhat from their humble beginning many years ago as Los Taquitos in Rock Bay, to accommodate local taste, but overwhelmingly the food tastes like something you might receive in Mexico - albeit, that is not everyone's taste. There are some flavours that are intrinsic in the regional origin of this cuisine, that may strike palate as a little rough.  

Located in the infamous Pounder's restaurant space on lower Yates St, Casa Tequila, in an unintentional homage to post-modernist, social decay films, like Bladerunner. You'll see what I mean. Passing through the front foyer of the building, the restaurant is located through  a cavernous doorway. Darkness and sepia lighting seep into out into the brightness of day time, with a potentially seizure inducing, and oversized 'open' sign flashing in the small window. Inside, is near darkness, the only light streaming in from the exterior is the unused patio. Why you'd let patio space go unused in Victoria is a mystery to me. The restaurant decor is faux Mexican cantina - always nightime, very dark and over decorated, with loud Spanish language pop music, and an electric water feature (the Bladerunner fans should be getting on board with me by now - they even have the rain!?). It's all very weird. Even if this is indeed what they're going for it needs a little work like tearing out the carpeting and putting in some worn plank flooring, and providing some candles so I have a chance of reading the menu.

I was surprised, that on a very sunny Sunday afternoon the very dark restaurant was busy. The sole server had about six tables to deal with, but was handling better than most and while not speedy, we didn't feel ignored. The tequila selection is grander than one might usually find, but I have heard some grumbles from tequila enthusiasts that it's not as extensive as their name might suggest. It was good enough for me. My margarita was well made, on the rocks, with salt and with an average bar tequila, not the really terrible armpit tasting stuff.

We ordered the platter for two and settled in for some big eating. It took awhile to arrive and I could have used some chips and salsa to hold me over, but I also knew that the platter would be gigantic, so I was probably better off saving my appetite.

Indeed, it was huge and filled with all old familiar favorites - a good selection. I think the guacamole is the best in town, with fresh avocado, tomato and onion. The beans are ordinary, but tasty and they have seemingly imported those weird tomato-chicken bouillon cubes that makes Mexican rice radioactive orange. The chili rellenos, always my favourite, was freshly fried, filled with cheese and topped with tomato sauce. Probably my second favorite was the taco el Pastor, marinated pork, a little dry on this occasion, but you can't beat the pork. The beef taco, had great flavour, but the beef was a little chewy. The enchilada had a very strong mole sauce, which I liked and complimented the other flavours well, but a whole order of it might be a bit rich for me. Patty loved the sopes, a thick tortilla topped with beans, chorizo and lettuce, but mine had burnt onions on it. 

Amazingly we put back the entire platter of food, testament to our enjoyment. Casa Tequila is my current preference for Mexican, but I try to hit it on a rainy day when the decor seems less peculiar. Also, I have found them to be routinely understaffed, so I'd also recommend hitting them at a slow time when the servers aren't running a marathon. There also some issues with food consistency that need to be addressed, but I guess it adds to that authentic Mexican theme. Don't hit Casa Tequila looking for a pristine dining experience, I like it, but it's  weird.

Value of Food 76/100

Quality of Food 76/100

Service 72/100

Ambiance 70/100

average 73/100

reviewed May 2008

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