For the past twenty years, "The Alley"-El Callejon-has been packing them in to enjoy Mexico City cuisine and an astonishing stock of(they claim) over 400 tequilas!The incredible bar(to see the alignment of tequila bottles is to believe their claim) is huge, as huge as the size of their tequila drinks(well..not exactly). For sure, we've eaten there many times, and the food and service has always been top-notch. Recently, they've opened another restaurant in Cardiff, hopefully a spot in which finding a parking space isn't the hassle it is at this location. Moonlight Plaza is also occupied by the popular Leucadia Pizzeria on its corner and, between the two restaurants, there's limited parking space which quickly fills up at dinnertime especially. Better to park at the nearby Coaster station and walk to here-the exercise will somewhat offset the effect of the generous portions of enchildas suizas or chile rellenos you'll consume.As you are seated, the waiter brings three types of salsa(warm to very HOT) and a basket of homemade chips, crunchy and still warm. Extensive are the menu choices before you - you can be adventurous and try the Camarones al Chipotle, as I did(yum),or,if you can't tolerate spicy, select their fish tacos,grilled cod wrapped in El Callejon's made-on-the-premises corn tortilla. There's Mexico City traditional tamales wrapped in banana leaves, crepes with poblano , assorted fish, chicken or pork, in mole or chipotle sauce, or you can try the Medallones de Cilantro, which I enjoyed, as it's thin beef grilled and served with a really nippy cilantro sauce. My husband dislikes cilantro, but loves their pintas al Albanil (Mexican beef stew) which warms him up when we dine there as we did during the winter on the open-air central patio. Of course, the patio is equipped with heaters at that time.
If there is a downside to this restaurant,it is that it is not quiet;it's far too popular for that,the waiters scurry around speedily, and its tequila drinks seem to fuel loud conversations. This is also a very family-friendly spot; I've seen children I know from the preschool I work at,on two occasions. This restaurant, in fact, attracts all ages, from kids to dating couples to old marrieds. It's open 11 to 10 during the week, and on Sundays from 11 to 9. Coupons are sometimes available in local throw(free) papers and it's on American Airline's dining program. I have never had dessert here - I know they have them, but no one in our family of three has ever been empty enough to order one.