La Cucaracha

La Cucaracha states on its website… «The Cucaracha is the pet of the Mexican people and whatever you may say, the Cucaracha one thing is certain: the little animal likes to eat his plate.» At least, that’s what it says via Google Translate. And what could be nearer the truth?
I’ve dined at a handful of Mexican restaurants in Netherlands — a country I frequent for work purposes — and they have one thing in common: meat seasoned with a sweetness that is much nearer barbecue than the Mexican border. But let me give you a fuller sense of this dining experience.
The location is good — not so much on the main drag, but facing a canal (which was unfortunately marked by construction scaffolding during my visit). The restaurant itself sits on a corner location and is clean and well appointed. The décor is more or less traditional «faux Mexican,» but with a few unexpected touches such as hanging bead curtains and the sound of a waterfall (more of a hippie touch to me).
The service was courteous and pleasant; and in Dutch fashion, it needs to be prompted by the diner. The flow requires the patron to take the lead in the relationship.
I ordered a Trappist Blond beer (a very good beer, but I could have made a better choice in terms of pairings), and then the Enchiladas Calazon. The menu was in Dutch, but I know enough Spanish to have a faint idea of what I was getting.
The meal was meticulously prepared, neat and rather stylish. The plate (which I was carefully warned would be «very, very hot» — and indeed it was) was arranged with two enchiladas and another platter with three sides: rice, beans and salad.
The enchiladas themselves were of different varieties. One contains a shredded beef with the expected barbecue flavor, but good quality. The other was stuffed with mushrooms.
As usual, I admire the excellent quality and freshness of the ingredients. The Dutch are to be complimented. But what the dish lacked was the sense of a melded experience that I believe to be typical, and desirable, of Mexican cuisine. Individually, each component was well prepared. The black beans were nicely cooked, but much too firm to meld properly into the overall dish. Similarly, the mushrooms were of excellent quality and well cooked; but they failed to mesh into the overall dish, standing out instead as — well prepared mushrooms. A really good Mexican dish says, «we’re all in this together.» And this was much more a gathering of solos.
There were some miscues in the dish. The enchiladas were wrapped in a whole wheat «tortilla» that more closely resembled what you’d find on a wrap rather than a taco. And the rice was a disappointment: mushy and without flavor. The salad, on the other hand, was excellent. Fine quality ingredients, including fresh corn, with a tangy sauce.
After my Trappist Blond beer, I ordered a Margarita. It arrived in a small champagne glass (the sort of thing to which one toasts a bride and groom), and possessed a very dry, salty flavor.
But overall, an excellent choice for one seeking Mexican food in s-‘Hertogenbosch, Netherlands (where options are sadly limited.) Really — an enjoyable evening’s repast, if not thoroughly proper Mexican fare. Well worth a visit.

Das war eine Empfehlung der Kollegen. Da nimmt man auch gerne mal ein paar km Fahrt auf sich. Hat sich aber auf jeden Fall gelohnt. Die Bedienung war né hübsche Blondine :-) die uns kaum verstand, dafür war aber das Essen und Trinken sehr lecker. Auf der Karte gab es eine große Auswahl. Zum Glück waren die Namen der Gerichte gleich mit denen bei uns. Und das meiste der doch verwandten Sprache konnten wir auch entziffern. Für 19 Euro bekommt man ein komplettes 3 Gänge Menü. Die Teile dazu sind auf einer Seite frei wählbar. Ich kenne auch keinen anderen Mexikaner, bei dem es Crème Brulet gibt, aber das war auch sehr lecker. Genau wie der ganze Rest.
Ohne Navi ist das etwas schwer zu finden, da es einige Einbahnstraßen in der Gegend gibt.
Falls ich wieder mal in der Gegend bin, steht das ganz sicher wieder auf meine Liste! :-)