La Casa de Mole

Paseo de los Heroes No. 10511 - Zona Rio - Tijuana

I. The Setting

Walking into La Casa de Mole Poblano - 2 gives you the feeling of walking into a tropical garden. An octagonal structure with unadorned windows (which were open the beautiful Spring evening we were there), an impressive rock waterfall dominates the center of the room, raising nearly to the ceiling. Plants and palm trees wrapped with tiny white lights are abundant. Walls are adorned with Mexican pottery, including the largest ceramic bowl I've ever seen. As at the original Casa de Mole, the kitchen is visible through lovely multiple arches. Though indeed I was very impressed with this new Casa de Mole, somehow by the end of the dinner I found myself liking the original Casa de Mole more; the live music at this "fancy" Casa de Mole was too loud; people seemed to be rushing around more at this new location. Two of us this night had placed personal items on the floor of the restaurant, not realizing that the floor tiles were raised, with little channels between them, allowing water to accumulate. Our personal items became wet and smelly, ending the evening in an "off" note. There is no heat in this restaurant and even less insulation - you can see the sky through the corrogated fiberglass roof. Dining here in winter can be a chilly experience.

II. The Food and the Service

This Casa de Mole serves essentially the same delicious and inexpensive food (chicken) as the original Casa de Mole. The mole is spicy. In addition to the mole dishes, for 65 pesos you can get either "mixiote de borrego" or "chamarro de puerco", or sopes or tostadas for 12 pesos. The menu lists 5 types of soup, some with chicken and some without, although we were told that the soups were all the same. If you order the mole dishes, a small bowl of soup is included. (At the original Casa de Mole a large bowl of soup is included). This restaurant also serves breakfast. While the waiters were pleasant enough, they would not provide separate bills for large groups. Be aware that a 10 percent service charge is automatically included in the bill.

III. Beverages

The menu lists several kinds of beer, both on the dinner and the breakfast menu, but wine and margaritas are not listed, though they are available. The margaritas are very icy, but not too strong, for 25 pesos. Several types of fresh juice are available, including orange and tomato, large glasses for only 10 pesos.

IV. The Dessert

Cake and flan are available for dessert, but it is likely that you will not be asked what you would like, you will just be brought the tamale dulce included with the dinner - a sweet tamale with raisins.

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Copyright © Pat Fisher, 1998-02 Reviewed: June, 1999 email: pfisher@hungryhiker-tj.com