Bite and Booze by Jay D. Ducote

Sunday, February 28, 2010

La Carreta on Government Street

Not too long ago I met Megan for lunch at La Carreta on Government Street.  This local Mexican Restaurant got its start in Hammond, La area before expanding to Baton Rouge and other locations in South Louisiana.  In fact, business has been so good for owner Saúl Rubio that he has recently opened a second location in the Red Stick on Bluebonnet Blvd.  Still, the Mid-City location is easier for me to get to from work, so it was there that I dined!

La Carreta on Government Street

The restaurant recently underwent a renovation that moved the entrance to the patio area that used to be the back of the establishment.  La Carreta actually has one of my favorite outdoor dining spaces in Baton Rouge, so if you are ever in the mood for Mexican food on a nice day, it is a good spot to hit up. 

La Carreta's Salsa

Obviously one of the best things about Mexican dining in the United States is the free chips and salsa that customarily accompanies every feast.  La Carreta's salsa has a few chucks of fresh tomato that are mixed in with an otherwise liquidy base of tomato juice and herbs.  The flavor is fairly ordinary but still tastes fine if you like a classic salsa to go with your salted corn tortilla chips.

La Carreta Special: Beef Burrito, Chicken Tostada, Beef Enchilada

I ordered the La Carreta Special for lunch.  It came with a beef burrito, a chicken tostada, and a beef enchilada.  The tostada got buried under a pile of lettuce, sour cream, and pico de gallo while the burrito and enchilada could be found a little easier on the plate.  Unfortunately the ground beef that stuffed the burrito and enchilada was nothing to brag about.  It was plain and bland and I think I've honestly been happier with burritos at Taco Bell.  This really surprised me as I've had great experiences with La Carreta in the past.  Perhaps the best advice is to stick with chicken or steak and avoid the ground beef.  I'm sure I'll be back at some point to sit on the patio and enjoy some cerveza.  I'll just have to be more careful about what I order!

La Carreta on Urbanspoon

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4 comments:

  1. I'm surprised you didn't mention their house cerveza, Dorado Beer. It is brewed specifically for "La Caretta Family Restaurant" at one time by Covington's Heinerbrau and now Kiln, Mississippi's Lazy Magnolia Breweries. Delicious!

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  2. Uh... I never enjoy what I get there! The only thing I've ever enjoyed is the vegetarian fajitas, and I think they are only on the lunch menu. Oh, and the margaritas!

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  3. I'm a huge fan of La Carreta! I haven't found a better tex mex restaurant out here. :)

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  4. I really like their Alambres. It is tender strips of steak and grilled onions topped with Monterey jack. It is served with a really good bean soup, pico, lettuce and sour cream

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