70 Days Across America
Are you looking for the best Silicon Valley Mexican restaurant? Established in 1968, Estrellita Mexican Bistro & Cantina is a family style eatery serving classic Mexican dishes. It has a colourful indoor dining room and outdoor seating on a patio in front of the restaurant.
Eat Like a Local in Silicon Valley
I am visiting Silicon Valley, the first significant stop on my 70 Days Across America journey across the United States.
I am staying with friends that live in the town of Los Altos. On my final night, I suggest we have Mexican food for dinner.
They recommend Estrellita Mexican Bistro & Cantina, a family run Mexican restaurant located a short walk from their home.
Established in 1958, the restaurant serves classic family-style Mexican dishes with a modern interpretation.
As I discover when we walk inside, the colourful Los Altos Mexican restaurant is highly popular with locals.
The Menu
We are served home-made tortilla chips and green and red salsa while we peruse the menu.
The menu runs from appetizers, salads, and soups to a la carte dishes, house specialties, combination plates, seafood, vegetarian combinations, and side dishes.
A la carte dishes run from chile rellenos, tamales, and enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, and burritos.
The Friends
I am dining with two good friends, one of whom I’ve known since I was in my early twenties. We haven’t seen each other in years.
All three of us choose combination plates, which allow dinners to choose two of the following four choices: chile relleno, tamal, enchilada, and taco.
My dining companions are vegetarians so they order vegetarian combination plates. I opt for a conventional combination plate.
All of the combination plates include rice and beans.
The Food
I order a Chicken Enchilada made with corn tortilla with chicken and red chile sauce and Chicken Chile Relleno made with corn masa and red chile sauce with rice and beans.
The beans and the enchilada are topped with cheese.
I wash it all down with a lime Margarita.
The Ambiance
The colourful dining room has seen better days, but that is where much of its charm lies. It has patina.
The noise level is a bit rowdy on the evening of our visit, which adds a festive atmosphere to the place.
The Damage
Three of us ordered combination plates and beverages. The bill comes to a very affordable US$64.31 before tax and tip.
Unfortunately, I forget to retrieve my credit card, which leads to a bit of a headache – especially since the restaurant is closed the day following our visit.
The Verdict
The food at this Los Altos Mexican restaurant was hearty, the service was professional, and the price was reasonable. I’ll give this restaurant an enthusiastic one thumb’s up!
I would definitely eat at Estrellita Mexican Bistro & Cantina again if I am ever in the neighborhood.
The Location
Estrellita Mexican Bistro & Cantina – 971 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos, California. Tel: (650) 948-9865. Restaurant Website – Facebook
This restaurant review is a part of my series, 70 Days Across America>>
