El Tapatio
Okmulgee, OK
Alambres
w/ Rice, Beans, Tortillas
Dish Score: 52
Overall Score: 52
Price: $
_____________________________________________________________________
SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Presentation & Creativity: 10/20
- Portion Size & Nutritional Value: 5/10
- Ingredient Compatibility: 5/10
- Flavor, Taste, Texture, & Doneness: 21/40
- Service: 6/10
- Restaurant Appearance: 3/5
- Cost vs. Value: 2/5
_____________________________________________________________________
REVIEW
El Tapatio is located just down the road from my house in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. This made them a convenient stop after having a sudden craving for Mexican food. Not wanting the stereotypical burrito, taco, or enchilada, I went with a dish I had never heard of before: Alambres.
While I waited, my slightly reserved waiter brought out some chips and salsa. The chips were the standard corn tortilla while the salsa had a slight kick to it and a good consistency. My salsa was gone before the meal arrived, but the waiter did not refill it.
After a short time, my alambres arrived, sizzling hot, along with a chipped plate of beans, rice, guacamole, and tortillas. Digging in, I found the alambres to be completely unappetizing. The steak was chewy, but the shrimp was decent. The only flavors I got out of the dish were an overwhelming amount of cheese and occasionally bacon. Furthermore, the dish was swimming in a bed of grease. The sides weren’t any better. The tortillas were nice and warm and the beans had a nice texture with a mild flavor. By contrast, the guacamole had an unpleasant texture and the rice was completely flavorless.
It is my impression El Tapatio is only in the business to make money and buys the cheapest products to skimp. If a little more love were given to the ingredients, El Tapatio could be a good place. As it stands, convenience to my house is about all the restaurant has going for it.
