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TOP OF THE HILL 2009
BY SARAH PLAKE splake@kansan.com
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
There are more than 15 Mexican restaurants in the Lawrence area. However, there are a few that keep people coming back either for chips and salsa or dinner specials. This year, KU students have voted three of Lawrence's selections of Mexican dining as their favorites: El Mezcal, Cielito Lindo and Salty Iguana.
Walter Reynaldo Aguilar said a lot of people visit El Mezcal solely for the cheese dip and the margaritas.
"As soon as people sit down, most order the cheese dip. That's what makes the Burrito Gigante really good." Aguilar said.
El Mezcal, with three locations, may be considered the best known Mexican restaurant in Lawrence. This colorfully decorated restaurant has a diverse menu with different food combinations.
The Burrito Gigante is one of the favorites on El Mezcal's menu. This giant burrito is covered in the same cheese that is in the cheese dip and stuffed with either chicken or beef and served with beans and rice.
"A lot of people like the margaritas. I'm from Liberal, Kan., and my sister's teacher told her that the best margarita she had was at a restaurant in Lawrence, and it was El Mezcal." Aguilar said.
Jimmy Argianas, Chicago junior and avid El Mezcal fan, said that he had been going to El Mez since his freshman year because of the good food and quick service.
The Salty Iguana started out in Prairie
Village about 15 years ago and opened two more locations in Independence, Mo., and here in Lawrence at 4931 W. Sixth St.
LeAnn Brock, Salty Iguana manager, said menu favorites varied among customers. One favorite on the appetizer menu, Brock said, is the Iguana Dip, made with pepper jack cheese and spinach.
"Our tacos aren't like anyone else's. We make ours with blue corn tortillas, and they're not like the tacos you get at bars on taco night," she said.
Brock also said there were game day specials, so people could feel free to come in and enjoy a meal while watching a KU game on one of Salty Iguana's TVs.
"People want to know what Bill Self eats," Brock says. She said the burrito that started out as the Prairie Village Burrito is now the Bill Self Burrito, which is also a favorite.
Cielito Lindo, the third place restaurant, is located at Eighth and New Hampshire streets. There are a few menu favorites, said Cielito Lindo manager Doinicio Zaradoza, such as the chile chicken, a dish that is covered in cheese, stuck in the oven and served with rice and guacamole.
Chile verde, pork covered in green salsa, the fajita quesadillas and chimichangas are ordered frequently as well, Zaradoza said. He also said Cielito Lindo had margarita specials every day of the week, ranging from $1.99 singles to $11.99 jumbo pitchers, and that the margaritas come in different flavors.
— Edited by Lauren Cunningham
1st — El Mezcal
804 Iowa St. ■ 1819 W. 23rd St. ■ 1520 Wakarusa St., Suite F
2nd — Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant 4931 W. Sixth St.
3rd — Cielito Lindo 815 New Hampshire St.
Photos by Chance Dibben/KANSAN