Editor Pick
Turkey Day, Everyday
- January 8, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
JesusW from Mexico city, Mexico
La Casa del Pavo (The House of Turkey) as it's name implies, specializes in turkey, they offer other options but, sincerely Why would you try them if they have something they are the Pros at?
In the little pedestrian street of Motolinia (a few blocks from downtown "Zocalo") you can find cheap food with excellent quality and generous quantity, you just have to search a bit (o print this reviews). The place is full of smoke from the grills and the pots are always boiling on top of the stoves. Try not to arrive at lunch time (in Mexico is between 14:00 and 16:00) because you will face a long line waiting at the pedestrian street in search of a tiny table at the very end of the hot place (they have fans, but not enough) or you can opt for the To-Go orders if you just want a torta.
First, they have Consomé (turkey soup, not chicken soup) which in other places is a diluted broth and some skinny pieces of bird, not here, I ordered the Consomé Preparado and I got more than I was ready to eat, it was almost the main dish instead of just a starter (my friends ordered the small size and it came in a cup), plus I have ordered a Torta de Pavo (turkey sandwich) which was also served very generously, so if you are very hungry this will be good, otherwise ask for the other half to be wrapped to-go.
In the menu there are many other dishes and torta varieties but the main reason to hit this place is to have turkey so we didn't bother, but in case you are interested they have enchiladas, arracheras, fillet mignon, milanesa (breaded steak), carnitas (pork), in case you are fed up with eating turkey for some reason.
The atmosphere. You will really smell the atmosphere here, cramped little tables, your neighbors will surely bump their chairs into yours when they move a bit or leave their place, so be aware and be patient. Also, grab the attention of the waiter when he is around, they tend to be overwhelmed with orders and if you are in a far corner you will have to wave or shout a bit.
Is it worth visiting?
Sure, the food is very very good, just try to avoid rush lunch hour and you will be fine. Just for you to have an idea on how popular they are, they use a big wood barrel to prepare the "chiles en vinagre" that they put at your table to accompany your food, other restaurants buy them by the can or prepare a big pot, here the barrel has to be replenished every couple days or so, Wow!!!
If you are used to American standards for toilets in restaurant chains like McDonalds, avoid theirs, not dirty but really small and suffocating.
From journal The Food of Mexico