Joe Peña’s

Qué lástima! Definitely not a real Mexican restaurant. Let’s start from the staff: rude, unwelcoming and snotty. One star goes down the drain just for this. A restaurant which provides a bland rendition of one of my fav cuisines, which I know deep down. I used to live in Cal, a Mission aficionado. I went down to Mexico several times. I know what great food this controversially beautiful country has to offer. Here, you’ll get watered down margaritas. And there goes the second star. You see, watered down cocktails are a common thing in Milan. No danger of getting drunk or just tipsy. Teeny weeny portions of pico de gallo, sour cream and guac. w/​out cilantro! Had to ask for more at least thrice (F…k this damn habit: Italians don’t like cilantro much, it’s an acquired taste which they haven’t acquired yet. Still, the herb is available & they should keep it handy for people who appreciate it. Especially since they’re located in a touristy area of town). So, if you’re an American and want cilantro in your food, just buy a bunch for less than $ 1 in any Philippino or Indian drugstore and take it with you to inconspicuously add it to dishes requiring it. Third star, see yah. This meal would have cost me a little more than 10 bucks in Mission. Here, get ready to pay $$$ for some pallid remembrance of the authentic Mexican street food (cause that’s what you get). There are no real Mexican eateries in Milan except for MamaStreat, which is just a little joint with few seats, if any, but at least it serves honest and real Mexican street food (still, no chimichanga:-() at indecently high prices. But they splurge with cilantro, guac, sour cream & pico de gallo. I’d say that Chipotle is fine & refined dining, in comparison to JP.