The search for authentic Mexican cuisine can sometimes be a difficult one, but in seeking authentic Mexican food that's also affordable, the search may seem almost impossible. Some people never find what they're looking for, but the search ends with a short drive down University Avenue to Mi Cocina Mexican Restaurante, 6230 University Ave., in Middleton.
Tucked away between other commercial properties such as chiropractors and car dealerships, the tiny restaurant opened this past June and is now a thriving eatery due to excellent food, atmosphere and service.
The interior design of the small restaurant attempts to mimic the Southwest and Mexico and does so quite well despite the presence of vinyl-covered booths and \Thank You"" trash receptacles reminiscent of McDonald's.
A hand-painted mural of a Mexican plaza spreads across one side, while the terracotta color scheme, brick accents and tile made to look like worn brick emphasize the feeling of a warm, dry climate. Traditional Mexican music fills the restaurant, and the final touch of numerous Corona ads placed around the restaurant is an extra reminder of the Mexican food to come.
Mi Cocina's waitstaff kicks into high gear from the moment a diner walks in to the moment he or she leaves. Immediate seating and free chips with tomatillo sauce begin an experience of some of the best service ever.
The waiters continuously keep the large glasses of soda full with free refills and pass out extra napkins for the chips and salsa, all while keeping a sharp eye out to be ready the minute everyone sets aside his menu.
The only things surpassing the quality of service are the quality, quantity and price of the food at Mi Cocina. The restaurant is a popular place at lunchtime for Middleton-area workers, and Mi Cocina has capitalized on this fact by offering mainly lunch dishes, each one a combination of two to three different Mexican specialties, such as enchiladas, burritos, tacos, tamales and quesadillas, and the best Mexican rice found anywhere.
One example is the burrito, taco, and rice plate ($4.75). The order came out on a generous oval plate, holding a burrito comparable to the size of those seen at Qdoba, 508 State St., made up of a flour tortilla filled with finely ground and seasoned beef, covered in mild red sauce.
The taco had a crisp shell, stuffed with more beef, fresh lettuce and plenty of cheese. The terrific Mexican rice came in a large helping. Rich and soft, not too spicy and with a warm, flavorful taste, the rice was a delicious meal in itself.
For those people not into the beef, Mi Cocina also offers a half order of chicken (as well as beef) nachos ($3.50). The half order is served up on the same huge plate as the previous three-entr??e dish was, and makes you wonder just how big the whole order is.
Large, tender chunks of white chicken meat weigh down Mi Cocina's warm, sweet corn tortilla chips, smothered with melted cheese, green chilis, onions and tomatoes. This is such a generous dish that three out of four people will definitely bring half their meal home with them.
Vegetarians have only a few choices on Mi Cocina's menu, but the Quesadilla Ranchera ($4.99) has an excellent chance of converting even meat lovers, at least for one meal. The Quesadilla Ranchera is a flour tortilla fried to a crisp and folded over, filled with melted cheese and marinated, saut??ed mushrooms and onions, perfectly cooked so they keep a slight crispness to the onions and firmness to the mushrooms. On the side, lettuce, sour cream and fresh tomato act as a cooling contrast to the spicy, salty flavor of the quesadilla. Tomatillo sauce acts to spice up the entr??e even more if so desired.
If anyone still has room after the main course, a definite must have is the sopapilla, a traditional Mexican dessert. A fried tortilla is topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, and everything is sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with chocolate sauce and honey. The contrast of the warmed tortilla and the cold ice cream wakes up your tastebuds after half-an-hour or more of a spicy Mexican lunch, and the sweetness of the dessert is a great finish to a flavorful meal.
Mi Cocina is Middleton's hidden treasure of Mexican food, and it's time everyone had a chance to experience this affordable and delicious jackpot. Having the means and the time to make it off campus and down University Avenue will result in the realization of the Mexican restaurant of a broke but discerning college student's dreams.
