El Camion (Notting Hill)

YUM, try the chorizo quesadilla.
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7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, December 01, 2010

I went to this Mexican and I think it looks better than the contents to eat inside. Don't get me wrong it's not disgusting it's just average. The best thing about it is the manager Leo who was very obliging and explained the menu well - the long, long menu and there's one of the problems. How can any place have great standards in food if the menu can wallpaper a room! They need to take a leaf out of Chipotle on Charing Cross Road who have the perfect mix.
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SLayton
5 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Coming from one of the ex-Spanish colonies where good Mexican food is thick on the ground, I have to say that El Camino is the BEST Mexican restaurant I've had the pleasure of trying in the UK. When I first moved to London over 10 years ago, I was on a constant lookout for decent Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurants in this town, and each time I was highly disappointed. The closest thing I had found to good Mexican food was a few years ago, when I stumbled across a Mexican stall on Portobello Road which served great Juevos Rancheros. Since then, there seems to have been a rise in Mexican restaurants and a better awareness for Mexican cuisine. I've tried most of the reputable onces, some of which were satisfactory but not a patch on El Camino.

On top of the quality of food served there, I like the touch of the open-view kitchen which allows you to appreciate the grilled meats that go into their soft-shelled tacos and burritos (try the pork carnitas which are slow cooked for six hours then re-grilled again to give that mouth-watering barbecued texture). To add to that, being located under the Westway adds to the rustic feel of an authentic Mexican joint you'd find in Southern California; plus overlooking the Portobello market allows for great people watching.

Since my first meal at El Camino, I've been recommending it to all my friends. One of these recommendations was to my chef mate who absolutely loves it. Like me, coincidentally my chef mate ate there twice in one day the first time he had the pleasure of their cooking.

Unlike the suggested £25 average price, I find that spending under £10 will get your belly satisfied. Thank you Ben for telling me about El Camino in the first place!!
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Jigger
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 23, 2009