At a typical Americanized Mexican restaurant not long ago, I suffered through an appallingly awful meal — followed by a bellyache later that evening.
I figured I’d eaten my last burrito combo special, and good riddance.
And then I discovered Julio’s in downtown Bothell.
What a difference fresh ingredients and a commitment to quality make.
Julio’s, run by a hard-working husband and wife team in a space that appears to be in the midst of a remodel, serves authentic, handmade Mexican food. Given the quality, the prices are a bargain.
Actually, we’re talking phenomenal bargain here. The $1.25 tacos consist of two house-made corn tortillas and brilliantly seasoned meat (chicken, pork, beef or tongue). A bit of chopped onion and cilantro, squeezes of fresh lime juice and an excellent salsa verde added still more vibrant flavor.
Three of these tacos makes for the best $4.11 lunch I’ve ever found in a stationary restaurant.
I could taste every clean, fresh ingredient in the pork burrito (about $5) — a delicious and refreshing contrast to the meat-bean-rice mush in an oversize tortilla so common these days.
My burrito contained black beans; refried beans are offered, too. A small salad of lettuce on the side, so often a wilted afterthought that’s not meant to be eaten, turned out to be a delightful surprise because the greens were so fresh.
Lunch began with crisp chips and a bright, fresh salsa, both made in-house and several cuts above the average.
Had it not been a working lunch, we would have enjoyed a margarita made with one of the excellent tequilas Julio’s keeps on hand.
Our lunch bill for two, including beverages, came to $13.41. A family of four could eat well here for about $20, or about what you’d pay for several sacks of take-out rubbish.
We’ll be returning to Julio’s often to work our way through the menu, which includes traditional Mexican fare I’m not familiar with. Our server said a new menu is coming soon.
Now I know why my wife’s son-in-law, a professional winemaker in nearby Woodinville who really knows food, raves about Julio’s. I can’t remember eating so well for so little money.
And no bellyache afterward.
Also in Bothell
If you’re in the mood for a retro small-town burgers-and-fries experience, check out the Ranch Drive-In, a Bothell institution going back decades.
To step into the Ranch, with its carved-wood menu board, Western-themed decorations and booth seats laminated in comfortable contours, is to step into 1962.
I could picture Mom, Dad, Biff and Sally grabbing a quick supper before heading back home to catch “Wagon Train” on the 19-inch Philco.
On a recent visit to this family-owned Bothell institution, we chose the double-patty Ranch burger ($5.59), the single-patty Deluxe burger ($3.39), an order of onion rings ($2.69) and a couple of sodas.
The burgers were fine examples of hometown hamburger-stand fare. The onion rings were crisp instead of limp and greasy. I’ll try a milkshake next time.
After all these years, the Ranch still packs ‘em in; a steady stream of customers trooped through the place during our 30-minute visit.
Carved-wood menus may no longer be in fashion, but good burgers always will be.
Julio’s
10023 NE 183rd St., Bothell (in a small strip mall between NE 183rd Street and Main Street); 425-485-1769
Specialty: Mexican food
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Alcohol: Beer and tequila
Price range: Inexpensive
The Ranch Drive-In
18218 Bothell Way NE, Bothell; www.ranchdrivein.com
Specialty: Burgers
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Alcohol: Not served
Price range: Inexpensive
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