Bacalar — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Ive read the reviews before we visited, and I had to put an honest review in here. So here goes. The Good, the Bad and the interesting, that about sums it up.

I’ve been going back and forth between the 3 and 4 stars. I actually want to give it, 3.5* Two stars would not do the place justice, but would also be possible. First of all, clear your mind when you go visit Bacalar. First bite of the first dish, we made the mistake of comparing it to other Mexican food we’ve had. Don’t do that, you’ll be disappointed. Go and visit, with an open mind and don’t expect the “standard typical dishes and flavors”. The good - after deciding to stop comparing the dishes to other Mexican restaurants and experiences, I could appreciate the food for what it is, different. Different as you can expect soft shell tacos 🌮 some fried and therefor hard(er) with interesting toppings. - Side note! I’m still struggling writing this experience down.- First dish was the Tostada de Atun. Fried taco with tuna. It was tasty, with a strong pepper (paprika) flavor. It’s a Bacalar classic. Topped with fish eggs of which the quality is average. The other dishes we tried, see photo. All interesting in their own way. The bad - can you screw up guacamole? Yes you can. We ordered some tostados - apparently this is a kids dish- came served with a salsa and guac- but we could order it. The salsa was tasty, but again here put aside what you know about salsa. It’s their own take on salsa - tomato, onion and cucumber cubed. The guac - wow- that was bad. It’s like a tiny tiny tiny thimble with a avocado purée. Sort of baby food like. No bueno! The interesting The topping are interesting, see the picture of the menu, pork, Pulpo, cauliflower etc. The dessert, the cheesecake, it has a taste of cheesecake but if they’d call it a flan or a Mexican crème brûlée they’d also get away with it. It was tasty, but was not cheesecake as we know it.

Cocktails 🍹 Good, but a bit too sweet. The palosanto drink is closest to a traditional Margerita - the coconut water is hardly noticeable. Last of the Oaxacan - great cocktail. Wonderful scent.

Overall. You will have a good time. You will have good food. Skip the guacamole - it’s avocado lime purée. Will we go back, …not any time soon. Our neighbors at the next table mentioned that they had expected more from this place. My final note, go check it out and see for yourself.

Staff was great, very friendly, helpful and...

Yeehaw! Saddle up, folks, because Bacalar is serving up a Tex-Mex extravaganza right here in Amsterdam, and it's a wild ride of flavors you won't want to miss!

🌮 Taste: Hold onto your sombreros, because Bacalar knows how to whip up a fiesta on your taste buds! From sizzling fajitas to mouthwatering enchiladas, every bite is bursting with authentic Mexican flavor that'll have you shouting "¡Qué rico!" The crowning jewel? The Michelada—a Texan's dream come true. Spicy, tangy, and perfectly refreshing—it's the best darn Michelada this side of the Atlantic!

🎉 Atmosphere: Step into Bacalar and you're stepping into a slice of Texan paradise right in the heart of Amsterdam! The vibrant decor, lively music, and warm hospitality make you feel like you've stumbled upon a cantina straight out of San Antonio. It's a unique atmosphere that'll have you feeling right at home, whether you're a native Texan or a Tex-Mex enthusiast.

💸 Value: Now, let's talk turkey (or should I say tacos?). The food at Bacalar is top-notch, no doubt about it. But with prices that'll make a cowboy's eyes water, it's not exactly a bargain bonanza. Those tacos may be small but they sure pack a punch, and don't get me started on the Michelada—worth every penny, but it'll cost ya. So, while the food may be five-star, the prices might leave you feeling a little light in the wallet.

🤠 Service: Saddle up, partner, because Bacalar's service is as friendly as a Texan's smile! The staff may not be riding horses, but they sure know how to make you feel welcome. From the moment you walk in, you're treated like family, and that's worth a gold star in my book.

In summary, Bacalar is a Tex-Mex treasure trove in the heart of Amsterdam—a flavor fiesta that'll have you shouting "¡Arriba, arriba!" Whether you're a Texas native or just a Tex-Mex aficionado, Bacalar is the place to be. So grab your boots, grab your appetite, and get ready for a culinary adventure you won't soon...

As a Mexican, I am always overly critical of Mexican joints abroad. I've been to Balacar twice now and on both occasions, we had a mixed experience.

Space and noise: The acoustics in the space are really bad. When we arrived, it was terribly noisy and the seating was really uncomfortable. As it got darker, a big lamp next to our table had to be covered with a sweater because it was literally blinding some people in our party.

Service: Overall so so. Some of the waitresses looked like they had lost all joy in life. This is a MEXICAN restaurant. People in Mexico are friendly and warm. At the start, the service was as cold as a frozen pizza. Eventually some of the waitresses warmed up and things got better. Connor, the barkeeper, was the best. He came over to our table repeatedly and also offered replacement drinks for cocktails that were simply undrinkable.

Food & Drinks: Overall, the food was good albeit crazy expensive. What I didn't like were the tiny metal bowls with drops of salsa. The pico de gallo was so miniscule that it was finished after the second totopo. However, the tacos and tostadas we got were generally very tasty. The drinks on the other hand were a massive fail. The first non-alcoholic margarita I got was so sour it was like battery acid. My friend's spicy margarita was so spicy she was at risk of internal injuries. When the drinks were replaced, they were better but still, the non-alcoholic drinks are really below par. The drinks menu itself is so hard to read you have to bring your own magnifying glass. And what's with the crossed out menu items that are actually printed rather than crossed out with a pen?

It would also be nice if they had a more Mexican selection of desserts. The crème brûlée was tasty but apart from a spicy aftertaste, had nothing to do with Mexico.

Anyway, with a few tweaks and happier staff, this place would...