Don Andres #1

Don Andres #1
5318 Hohman Avenue
Hammond, IN 46320 MAP
(219) 937-0000
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

March 31st, 2009. 3:00 p.m.

Don Andres #1 bills itself as a Mexican & American restaurant. Breakfast features typical diner fare such as two eggs with choice of meat, pancakes, omelettes, and skillets as well as Mexican favorites like huevos rancheros, and chilaquiles. Lunch items include burgers, clubs, melts, and a variety of sandwiches including a Monte Cristo and a Rueben. The usual tacos, tortas, sopes, and enchiladas are present along with my beloved burritos. I ordered my steak burrito to go with some chips on the side.



The burritos I’ve been reviewing as of late have been very good, and this one was no different. Inside arguably one of the most tightly wrapped tortillas was slightly charred steak absent of fat/gristle and in good quantity. The steak was excellently flavored and was joined by beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream. The sour cream was very fresh and delicious. A minor amount of grease/juice at the end of the burrito was not bad. The chips were excellent and had a fresh corn taste to them. The salsa verde was fairly hot and very good.

Don Andres has two other locations in Munster (formerly El Alamo) and Hobart (formerly El Señor Sombrero). Visit one if you get a chance.



Weight: 19.1 ounces
Length: 7.25 inches
Circumference: 9 inches
Price: $4.55 or 23.8¢ an ounce
Beer availability: No

Flavor: 9/10 sombreros
Value: 9/10 sombreros

El Paisano

El Paisano
8241 Hohman Avenue
Suite C
Munster, IN 46321 MAP
(219) 836-2919
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Update: November 21st, 2009.

CLOSED!

March 20th, 2009. 12:00 p.m.

El Paisano (The Countryman) is primarily a carry-out restaurant although there are a couple of tables available if you choose to eat inside. I ordered my burrito to go and received no chips and salsa as they are not complimentary.



A fresh and chewy tortilla that was slightly grilled contained steak, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a bit too much sour cream (see picture). The burrito was highlighted by its good grilled flavor. Save for a few pieces of fat and the excess of sour cream, the burrito was pretty good. The red sauce was slightly hot and reminded me of Tapatio Salsa Picante. The mild green sauce tasted like tomatillos and nothing else.

Less fat and sour cream as well as a little more seasoning on the steak would definitely improve El Paisano’s steak burrito. As it stands, it is merely average.



Weight: 18.5 ounces
Length: 7.5 inches
Circumference: 9 inches
Price: $5.50 or 29.7¢ an ounce
Beer availability: No

Flavor: 7.5/10 sombreros
Value: 6/10 sombreros