It seems that whenever I suggest a Mexican restaurant as a possibility for eating out, everyone becomes an elitist about what is authentic Mexican. Really, all that matters is that the food tastes good. This week I dined at Arcelia’s in Lafayette Square. It may not be in a border town in Texas, but it will do for those looking for a good meal.
To me, the ultimate test of what makes or breaks a Mexican restaurant occurs within the first minute of sitting down: it all comes down to the quality of the chips and salsa (and whether they are free). The salsa at Arcelia’s is of a good enough quality, but it does not pack a lot of heat. For some, this may be okay. The chips are quite tasty.
Arcelias.com / photo
The menu is exactly what one would expect from a standard Mexican restaurant, although it is definitely not Tex-Mex. Arcelia’s specialty is their enchiladas. They have a good variety of these, and you can order many different combo platters. One of the unique items that they serve is a salad and enchilada platter made with cactus. Apparently, this desert plant has a delicious center, despite its prickly exterior.
One item worth recommending would be the spinach and Chihuahua cheese enchilada. Also, the fish taco is another great offering.
Their portions are well-sized, but avoid eating too much of the rice and beans. They tend to sink to the bottom of your stomach and make you feel like a slug for the next hour.
One aspect of this place that makes it unique is that it also offers a breakfast and brunch menu. This is not typical for most St. Louis-area Mexican restaurants, so if huevos rancheros and chorizo sound good, you should stop by for a morning meal.
There is another tried and true method of testing a Mexican restaurant’s quality of food: how hot is the plate when you are served? In this aspect, Arcelia’s did not pass. The plate was the same temperature as the food, which means that it was cooked in a microwave oven. That’s not a horrible thing, but food does lack a certain flavor when it’s been microwaved.
What Arcelia’s lacked in style, it definitely made up for with service. My Dr. Pepper glass never dropped below a quarter full without the waitress asking if I wanted a refill. The entire wait staff was extremely efficient and polite.
As far as price goes, it is appropriate for the amount of food you receive. It cost roughly $10 a plate, and I was more than full after eating there. The free chips and salsa help this point, as do free and fast drink refills. In comparison to Alton’s El Mezcal, the price is the same and the food is a bit better, but the menu is smaller.
An added benefit to Arcelia’s is that it is in Lafayette Square. This means that there is a beautiful park across the street and a fountain down the road. Also, the Chocolate Bar is just down the block, so if flan is not your idea of a tasty dessert, you can head there instead.
The establishment seems a little out of place between townhouses and more upscale shops in the Shaw neighborhood, but it has been doing steady business for quite some time, so obviously it is doing something right. The atmosphere is everything that you might expect: mariachi music, portraits of Mayan warriors, and very festive colors.
Parking is on the street, and there is a lot down the block if you cannot find any street spots. The restaurant is also just down the block from the Christian Science Society of Lafayette Square, so you could go for a pre-Wednesday service meal.
Arcelia’s is not what you can get in Texas or California, but for St. Louis, it is pretty good. If you want to try some good flavors and see a beautiful part of the city, it is a great spot.
Arcelia’s
2001 Park Ave Ste A
Saint Louis, MO
63104-2538
Tel: (314) 231-9200
