El Catrin — Restaurant in White Center

I have been a regular customer for 4 months, at least once a week I always order the steak ranchero, just delicious. Rice and beans and tortillas (4). If you are hungry for mexican food, head over there! You won't find a better place. The owner use to cook at Catrina de Fonda in Georgetown. I live in Beacon Hill and bypass and come to El Catrin in White Center across the street from SeaMar clinic. Very friendly family run business, always explaining on how each item is prepared. Today I noticed the "specials" board. Tamale was listed made with chicken and red sauce. OMG. . .like I died and went to heaven. Hands down the "best" tamale i have ever had in my 65 yrs of sampling different Mexican food in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The masa was to die for. Wrapped in a banana leaf. Almost didnt want to write the review, afraid they will sell out when I visit again! Can't wait to return. It is their grandmothers special receipe. From Veracruz of Mexico. They are famous for their tacos. Those are excellent too. But tamales are my favorite, and their steak ranchero. You won't be disappointed...

I’ll definitely be back for their tacos and to try the rest of the menu. The meat for the different tacos we tried were all very good with excellent seasoning, salsas, and prepared to maximize moisture but also nice texture. My favorite was the carnitas. So moist and crispy too! I’m excited to try their guisados since that’s not as common around here. Also be prepared, if you order the enchiladas they’re prepared on the stove instead of the usual baked version most Americans are used to.

The menu is small, but that makes sense for a newer place. The staff were very friendly. The decor is very simple with a slightly modern funky vibe like you’d expect to see in a hole in the wall in Roma or Condesa in CDMX.

What could be improved? The rice really needed more tomato and seasoning, I prefer to be able to choose from all of the salsas available even if ordering them on the side rather than just getting what they serve me, and the lack of lighting/signage outside plus the frosted windows don’t make it look...

Upon entering this establishment, I was immediately captivated by the menu offerings. My expectations were high, and I eagerly placed an order for the Milanesa torta. Alas, my enthusiasm was not met with equal satisfaction. The hallmark of a truly exceptional milanesa lies in the delectable flavor of the breading, yet this particular torta was sorely lacking in this regard. The cause? Alas, it was not due to a lack of seasoning, but rather a careless overcooking that left the dish burnt to a crisp. Regrettably, the thinness of the steak also did not aid in redeeming the dish's taste. To make matters worse, the accompanying ingredients, such as the lettuce, tomato, and avocado, were equally pedestrian and predictable.

Although my initial experience was a disappointment, I remain hopeful that perhaps another visit may yield a more satisfying outcome with a different...