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| Picante ~ Authentic Mexican Cuisine |
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Authentic Mexican food is hard to find, but easy to love- once you find a fantastic place! Enter Picante, the Real Taco- an experience in excellence when it comes to traditional dishes. Picante is nestled in a modest strip mall off of Rt. 28 and Rt. 50- unobtrusive, nothing you would notice if you weren’t looking for it. But walk through the doors and you discover a delightful atmosphere and a diverse menu of mouthwatering Mexican creations. This is not your typical American-influenced latin cuisine- Picante features recipes that have been passed down through family generations, made with fresh, high quality ingredients. We checked out Picante with good friends who also enjoy a hearty meal and can tell a fabulous margarita from one made with a cheap mix! We got off to a great start with the queso fundido con chorizo- so full of flavor, well blended and served with hot fresh flour tortillas. Not much thrills me as much as a hot dish filled with melted, gooey cheese and spices topped with crispy crumbles of sausage… this night was off to a “muy bueno” start! The gratis chips and salsa were splendid- crisp, thin, fresh chips and hearty salsa full of freshness and a kick. The Man went with a variety of hard and soft tacos, one shredded beef, another with carnitas (spicy shredded pork) and one more with beans, cheese and chorizo. All three were hefty, stuffed with tender, generous portions of meat, cheese and delicious-ness! Our friend ordered a burrito, which was large enough to feed a family of four. Wow- it was phenomenal, a huge tortilla covered with a robust, tasty sauce and stuffed with just the right balance of ingredients. I tried the Torta de Pierna, a Mexican sandwich with juicy slices of pork leg, queso fresco, fresh avocado, and pickled jalapeños. It was on a crusty roll that was pillowy on the inside, and too big for me to eat with my hands, so I ate it open faced with a knife and fork. If you have never tasted queso fresco, it’s similar to fresh, buffalo mozzarella in texture, and has a light, distinctive flavor. Such a perfect complement to the pork and other veggies- I enjoyed every single bite. Our service was wonderfully efficient and friendly- our water glasses stayed full and our plates stayed cleared. The entrees were well paced and we never had to wait for a fresh drink. Speaking of drinks- the Mojitos and Margaritas were both simply excellent. We had no room for dessert since the gi-normous portions and easy-drinkin’ cocktails took up residence in our bellies. But next time I may have to start with the Flan and work my way back to the “botanas” (appetizers.) You can enjoy fajitas or enchiladas or other familiar Mexican dishes here, or you can venture out for something you rarely experience, like Pollo en Mole (chicken breast in a rich dark sauce) or Cecina de Res (thinly sliced pork cured in salt lime juice and herbs.) Regardless, you will come away from Picante with a full stomach, a delighted palate, and the a plan to return to try the dishes you had no space for, because~ Picante, the Real Taco, Passes with Flying Colors!   14511 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy. Suite B Chantilly, Virginia 20151 Catering: 703-263-9533 Restaurant: 703-222-2323 PICANTE WEBSITE
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