El Dorado Mexican & Peruvian Restaurant

*** El Dorado has changed ownership and no longer serves Peruvian food

One day on a trip down to Hogetsu Bakery, I noticed El Dorado, sitting in a strip mall on the corner of Palomar Street and 3rd Avenue in Chula Vista:

The Missus and I had nice memories of Peruvian in Los Angeles, so we had to make a trip down to Chula Vista for a visit. We arrived during a week day for a lunch, and found the colorful restaurant completely empty. Looking around we started to realize that this visit may be a bit of a mistake.

The decor and signs screamed out "Sports Bar". But we forged ahead! The very friendly and helpful Waitress, took our order and brought over some chips and Salsa.

The chips were not oily and tasted fresh, with a nice corn taste. The salsa had a nice spicy and sweet flavor; for some reason it reminded me of Trader Joe's Roasted Garlic Salsa, except fresher and more spicy. Things were looking up! While we were waiting for our order, we watched the Young Lady who served us cleaning with complete awe. I'm talking about really clean, really fast, and really thorough. If we could give her a "letter grade" Ala DOH, she'd get an 'A+'.

Finally our dishes arrived. I ordered the standard Lomo Saltado ($5.50):

Lomo Saltado, is a traditional Peruvian "stir-fry" dish, with strips of beef, onions, tomatoes, and most of all french-fries, yep french fries! A carb lovers dream! The dish usually has a touch of heat provided by some hot pepper. This version was a major disappointment. The steak was tough, dry, and tasteless; giving new meaning to the term "two-dollar steak". The onions and tomatoes were over-cooked and mush, as were the french fries. Though the taste of remnants of the onions, fries, and tomatoes(skin) was fairly tangy, there was a lack of any heat. The rice with frozen peas and carrots,was really dry. 'Nuff said.

The Missus really surprised me and ordered Anticuchos($5.50):

Anticuchos is a skewered meat; in this case beef heart, marinated in vinegar and chilies. This was served with a pretty weak "white" sauce, the thin slices of heart were decent; slightly gamey, but not too rubbery. The thick slices tasted too much like liver, which I don't care for, and was much too dry. Overall, the beef heart was really under seasoned and bland. The best part of the dish was the slice of deep-fried yucca. Crisp on the outside, with a dense and starchy interior.

We had pretty much written off this meal when the Deep Fried Plantains arrived($5.50):

We were a bit turned off at the almost black, charred appearance when the dish arrived. But the plantains were just darkly caramelized, and were sweet, tangy, and rich. The condense milk like "leche" helped to smooth out the flavor. Unfortunately, the plantains are not reason enough for us to return. The menu is quite extensive, with dishes like Cau Cau (tripe stew) and Arroz Chaufa (Peruvian Fried Rice), but we'll leave that for others to explore.

El Dorado Peruvian and Mexican Seafood & Grill
311 Palomar St
Chula Vista, CA 91911

Comments

[elmomonster]

That restaurant is just about the most colorful room I've ever seen. It almost looks like a rainbow barf!

Too bad the saltado wasn't up to par - nothing more depressing than soggy saltado. I like the flower pattern of the plantanos...at the places we usually go, they just dump it in a bowl and that's it...not even a leche sauce.

[mealcentric]

Kirk, I've been jonesin for some good Peruvian lately and your post only made me want it more. I'm not a big fan of heart but those plaintains looked great. I've never seem them served with leche before though. Is that common? Hmm...lomo saltado, probably one of the worlds unhealthiest but tastiest foods.

[milgwimper]

The plaintain looks good, and I too have never seen them served with leche. Interesting. I am sad that everything else was a bust, but I am sure you will find another Peruvian place that is worth while.

[mabel]

Aww, it is so disappointing to hear that restaurant is a no-go. I'm actually Peruvian-born, and went back to the motherland for two weeks during the holidays. I have all my vacation food pictures on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25503033@N00/sets/72057594054841566/

The best Peruvian restaurant I've tried in southern california is Mario's Seafood in LA. Too bad there aren't any good places around here.

[Kristy]

Hot Diggity! That's some color in the restaurant! So sorry the Lomo Saltado wasn't so delicioso. Mac and I went to Mario's on Vine and Melrose a month or so ago...absolutely delish! ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Elmo - Looks like Mickey barfed all over the place, doesn't it? The plantains was the only thing that saved this meal.

Hi MEalcentric - This is the only Peruvian place where we were provided with leche. So I really don't think it's very common.

Hi Mills - I don't think that San Diego has a good Peruvian restaurant, but I hope I'll be proven wrong.

Hi Mabel - Loved your photos, most delici-yoso!!! BTW, have you tried Ana Maria's yet? I haven't eaten there in a while and don't remember much about the food.

Hi Kristy - We've never been to Mario's, but from various comments, and posts on other blogs, that looks like the place to eat Peruvian in LA.

[Jack]

Well, hopefully you had some fresh manju to make the trip down south worth it.

[mealcentric]

BTW...the inside of the restaurant looks like a bad acid trip...ok, back to work...

[Kirk]

Hey Jack - Ummm, no we didn't make it to Hogetsu, so the whole drive was kind of a waste.

Hi MEalcentric - Geeez working those ungodly hours again! You should see the other walls and the faux Machupichu mural(if you click on the first photo it will enlarge, but why punish yourself), combined with the tablecloths, are well.....Groovy! ;O)

[Rachel]

Aww sad this turned out to be dissapointing, but at least it wasn't a total wash. It seems true to its sports bar appearance that its a good place for snack like foods :) Maybe visit for a beer and snacks with friends sometime !

[Reid]

Hi Kirk,

Sorry about the bad experience you had here. The food sounds interesting though, but like everyone else, I've never had plantanos maduros with leche. My preference is tostones.

[Kirk]

Hi Rachel - Yes, it's one of those, just eat "anything fried" places.

Hi Reid - Tostones, are those the flattened fried plantains? Aren't they made with green plantains instead of ripe, ones? Never had those. Gives me something to look for when we go to Cuban restaurants in the future.

[soyedil]

where can i go to have a good Peruvian food around San Diego?
Planning a trip in July...
Thanks
soyedil

[Kirk]

Hi Soyedil - You might want to try Latin Chef in Pacific Beach.

http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2007/04/latin_chef_part.html

http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2007/04/latin_chef.html

[liliana]

is the best restaurant in the whole world i love it. saludos al senor navarro..... bye

[EDWIN]

GREAT FOOD AND GREAT SERVICE!!!

[IncaWarrior]

Horrible food.

Please don't waiste your time going to this restaurant. Practically is mexican .... Please remove my peruvian flag from there.

No Go

[Kirk]

Hi Fernando - In what would be the biggest insult to you....I know of a few Peruvians who like and recommend this place. I need to ask, have you ever eaten here?