El Castor “Pop In” Revisited

After my brother went on and on about how good this place was, I had to see what all the buzz was. I wanted to head down his direction anyway so I could check out the new Whole Foods and cash in on any sales that were still out from grand opening etc. and true that I got some. We also had to do our Gruet sparkler review that United Slurps of America (swirlsmellslurp) had invited us to collaborate on. So I was famished and ready to enjoy a good meal and I never met a pescado (fish dish) I didn’t like!

I know that any of my Mexican friends will appreciate this as I was taught this by a Hispanic friend of mine when I first moved to Texas. Never put your purse on the floor because that was putting your money on the floor. I tell you this for very good reason, as I was about to put my purse on the chair the waiter was bringing over a purse stand. Now mind you, this might have went by most people but when I was in Merida, Mexico, they did this in the restaurants. Ok this had me very intrigued as to the authenticity now more than ever. And then the eye and mouth feast began when the homemade chips and salsa showed up.

Now we have homemade chips and then there is homemade chips authentic fresh to order chips. The salsa was good, and it was green which is not very TexMex which is good, they were supposed to be authentic. The waiter came over and confirmed this fact and told me they had three restaurants in Mexico. This was going to be fun I was thinking and then I opened the menu. The one that my brother posted on the site previously is only a sampling, the entire menu was succulent to the eyes and made me dizzy with confusion. Or quite possibly I was over hungry so to be safe I ordered the carpaccio, salmon and tuna layered carpaccio, I died and went to heaven and it only gets better!

The waiter, “Escalon” was very friendly and knowledgeable and boy could he upsell! Next thing I knew we had this delicious shrimp appetizer arriving sizzling in the pan and out came this miniature pitcher of sauce and was poured over said grilled shrimp sending the most delicious scent. I was heady as I and my brother then started devouring that, there was barely the tail left, and I am quite sure I was licking my fingers and the fork. I noticed also after every dish they brought fresh plates and silverware, I really love this.

Then came our wonderful entrees. Dale’s is pictured, mine is the “Sarandeodo/All shaken up”, fresh fish (VERY fresh)  done Torreon style. I am embarrassed to say there was nary a morsel left. I didn’t feel bad because brother dearest almost licked his clean too. And since it was Saturday night they had a one man performer singing in there. Oh did I mention the owner came over and said “hi” and inquired about our meal?

This place oozed class yet it was not snobbish or unapproachable. We really need to get the word out because it is indeed a hidden gem in Dallas. I have eaten in Mexico many times in my life, not just in tourist towns, throughout Mexico and I have to say this is the most authentic stateside I have ever had. If you live in and around this place you need to go in and try it out. The prices are good, the food is fresh and the atmosphere is fabulous! El Castor will be revisited by me again! P.S. Previous post has map and menu here online, thanks! Peg

Tagged as: mexican, Restaurant review