Eat, Peoria!

El Mexicano is located at the intersection of Jefferson and Mary Streets, very near downtown. I had heard of it for some time, but never made the time to go there. I am so glad that I did.

First of all, I love “dives.” When I describe somewhere as a “dive,” most often it is in an endearing fashion. This place is that. Secondly, I am fairly certain that, food-wise anyway, I should have been born in Mexico or Central America. I can, and sometimes do, eat it everyday. Needless to say, I was excited.

The kitchen is about 2.5 times the size of the dining area, which has around eight tables; roughly four too many for the size. That said, the dining area is perfect as is.

I was there on a work day, right around lunch time. The dining area was full with all types. Some appeared as though they had just walked off the assembly line, others as though they had just stepped away from the judge’s bench from defending a client. It was not overly busy, but this is the type of place I can envision a line out the door, wrapping around the building.

Several local reviews are displayed throughout.

(Ratings explanation.)

  • Menu
  • Fairly extensive, though not as much as many Mexican joints. It is prominently displayed (with photos) on the front counter. All the favorites; all the necessities.

  • Food
  • Thoroughly enjoyable. Not the best Mexican food in town, but pretty close. Quite a bit of beef is used, which is not my favorite. I might give it a higher rating if i were to order with chicken. Almost too much food for lunch. Great.

  • Ambience
  • Dive: perfect for where I would expect to find good Mexican food.

  • Staff
  • Very nice and helpful, even at a busy period. Glad to serve.

  • Price
  • Right around the $5. Perfect for a good lunch from a local restaurant.

  • Return?
  • Without a doubt. Visit El Mexicano right away. I certainly will again.

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“The utensil (usually metal) is used to lift food to the mouth or to hold food in place while cooking or cutting it.”

More on Wikipedia.com: Click here.

One everyday object, that I at least, have failed to recognize that it too, was one day invented. One incredible fact about the fork to me is that much of the world, even those with the wherewithal and means, do not use them. There is something to be said for eating with one’s hands and being closer to your food, but the fork is just so convenient and useful. Just the opinion from a guy that can’t imagine a world without dishwashers – and nothing to do with the convenience factor there… I am just convinced that dishes are not clean without being submersed in water far too hot to be handled with unprotected human hands.

(Dinner fork shown.)


“…considered by many to be one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century.”

More on Wikipedia.com: Click here.

I dare you. Try:

Living.One.Day.Without.Me.

One of the most overlooked every day objects.

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