Downtown Oakland once was a dark, dreary and not so very safe place to visit. It has slowly gone through a neighborhood transformation. Restaurants, Art galleries, night clubs and a restoration of the Fox Theater have brought back life to this renamed destination, ‘Uptown Oakland’. Xolo is a taqueria that is located across the street from the Fox. The Fox is a venue that has been showcasing some big name performers. Xolo is the perfect place to grab a bite before or after the show. We came for the ‘Danger Dog’ but stayed for the burritos.
Xolo is an offshoot of the popular Dona Tomas restaurant that is located several miles down the street. Xolo is a causal taqueria whose specialties are burritos. We walked into Xolo’s and were greeted by two friendly servers that would take our order at the counter. Three menu items, two cerveza’s and non complimentary chips & salsa set us back forty five dollars. We received a number and looked for a place to sit. In the back is a warm cozy outdoor patio which became our choice of seats. Our food was brought promptly.
Chile Verde was not a menu item. Our server suggested that I order the chile verde bowl. This bowl consists of the filling for the burrito minus the tortilla. The menu describes the chile verde burrito as; “pork stewed in tomatillos & chiles, black beans, diced red onions and cilantro’. That is what I got in a nice glass bowl. This chile verde bowl contained only three or four cubes of meat with a tiny amount of shredded pork. It was very tender. In fact it was so tender; I would say it had a mushy texture. The tomatillo/chili sauce was very mild and bland. Overall this dish of chile verde was very disappointing. Ms. Goofy had a ‘Machaca’ shredded beef burrito which she enjoyed. The chips were freshly fried, crisp, salty and tasty. It is too bad they were accompanied by bland and nondescript Pico de Gallo and tomatillo salsas.
Xolo is a convenient and inviting place to grab a bite before the show. They have a reputation to live up to being an offshoot of Dona Tomas. The ‘Danger Dog’ was a fun and messy menu item. Ms. Goofy liked her shredded beef burrito. The servers were friendly and prompt. I would not recommend the Chili Verde. Come to ‘Uptown Oakland’, watch a show at the Fox, have a burrito at Xolo’s but be prepared to leave with an empty wallet.
XOLO
1916 Telegraph Av.
Oakland Ca. 94612
510 986-0151
13 comments:
Sounds like the Danger Dog was the hit of the day. We've tried Dona Tomas before and liked it, although not so much that we've been back. Our gold standard for Mexican food is still Las Camellias in San Rafael.
Pricey...Still want to try the danger dog.
Am so hungry right now. Wonder if the flavors of the verde wander from day to day? Can't be bland alla time, one would hope.
xo, Biggles
Zoomie, I will have to give Las Camelitas a try sometime.
Greg, Yes, there was sticker shock on the bill. If the food had been better I probably would not of even mentioned it.
Doctor, I asked one of the cooks if he had any hotter salsas He referred me to the bottle ot tapatio sauce on the table. He said they make the salsas mild on purpose. Shameful!
From what I understand Green Chili is not Mexican food, but a product of New Mexico. Maybe they're authentic?
highlandsranchfoodie, You know I love a good plate of chile verde. New Hatch New Mexico grows the gold standard of green chile. Dona Tomas website talks about the authentic Mexican dishes they serve. Xolo served a sub par plate of verde that scarred my opinion.
When you go to Las Camellias, try the carne asada. Even the beans are delicious there.
Las Camelias? Shudder. Heaps o' gringo on a plate. Even the refried beans are white, not pinto (which I suppose is cute). Could be just me, lots of people like that place. And they're all white. :)
cookiecrumb, I was going to guess that you had recommend Las Carmelias. I will try anyplace once. As the good Dr. Biggles and I both agree: If the chips and salsa are good, it is a good indicator of the meal to come.
And don't worry, Zoomie and I had this conversation (a long time ago, huh, Zooms?) and we agreed to disagree. So long ago, I don't remember what Las Camelia's chips and salsa are like.
I'm rereading your remark, Mr. Chile, and I'm afraid you really do think I recommended the place. Cause, nope.
Hmmm, someone will have to drag me over there and see what all the hubbub is about, or lack of said 'bub.
xo, Biggles
Zoomie, I am going to pass on Las Camellias. I looked at the menu on-line and they do not even serve Chile Verde. White beans? Huh?
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