Escobar

I’d never even heard of this place until the other day, and on a bit of a bar run we made a pit stop here.
I am pretty particular about where i like to drink, ill try almost anywhere once but repeat business is rare. However, ive now been a few times and dont plan on stopping!
Its a fairly dark and unassuming little cellar, nice bit of candle light (did make me feel a bit broke back seen as there was only me and a male friend) and bloody good music!
This for me is one of the major attractions of Escobar! I cant recall, other than at a festival where i have gone out and liked every single track; absolutely brilliant! White Stripes, Foals, Crystal Castles, Cribs, etc, etc ITS ALL GOOD! On top of the audio awesomeness, drinks are really reasonable; you can get really drunk for £20… Well i can!
The atmosphere can be a little stale on some nights, but theres non of the dreaded indy toxicity or pretentiousness; always a good things for those of us who cant dance so well/​at all!

It’s difficult to review Escobar the restaurant, vs. Escobar the bar. I think it’s clear where I stand on the bar front– nice place, great for a quiet Saturday, open until 6am, but not much in terms of personality. Escobar the restaurant is a different matter entirely.
I’d never eaten here before, and can’t say that it was on my radar, but having such a fantastically cheap offer on for food and drinks with a LCC badged friend, it seemed wrong not to go and take advantage. When dishes are cheap anyway (in the region of £8−15) 30% off feels a little like you’re stealing from them. Only, they’re in on the plot, and act as an accessory. Regardless, I’m always happy for a deal, as I grow ever more Yorkshire in my ways…
The bar area of the restaurant is perfectly cosy if you’re awaiting a last diner to join your company. Of course, it was I who was late, but I still had a perch with the group there before we sat at our table. The bar man was very friendly, and being with LCC meant that even my beer was 30% off-​a Corona was something in the region of £2.20. Leeds City Council staff, seriously– wield your badge with pride and get down here!
The waiter was very lovely as he took our orders, repeating them back as he went around, and the greedier/​hungrier of us ordered starters to come as sides. The décor is very festive, with bunting all about the place, amongst the bright orange tones, and being above street level you really do escape Leeds. Not to Mexico, or even South America quite, but enough to feel distant from the cold outside. Have to say, the music was pretty awful though. Cheesy classics, a little bit ‘hen-​do’, the like of which I expect in Flares, and such. Not my favourite, but then again, not so loud it was intrusive.
I had the quesadillas, as a side, and the enchilladas with red sauce as a main. Everything was sizzling hot, and presented well, promising flavour and texture. The quesadillas were fabulous, and came with a delicious bit of salsa, guacamole and sour cream. Spice was more a flavour than a heat, but the melted cheese and beans were divine. I sort of wished there was a meat quesadilla option, but it was still delicious.
The enchillada mains for me, however, went a little bit wrong. I’m not sure if it was because one of our party ordered a vegetarian version, and I’d accidentally accepted it (not hearing what the waiter had said) or whether they’d thought I was veggie all along. In any case, no chicken came with my dish. I was disappointed in that I’d hoped for some meat, but not so concerned that I wanted to cause a fuss– much to the shock of my dining companions, who laughed at how British I was being about it. Look, I don’t like to make a fuss. I’d rather sit there and grumble about it than embarrass myself having to ask for it to be taken back, cooked again, and it arrive 20 minutes later as everyone else enjoys their food. Surely that’s not too odd?!
OK. I admit it: I’m a wimp. I get it from my Dad. We like to be under the radar, and hate to make a scene. But, let me be clear –I’m sure had I complained, I’d have had a replacement dish no problem, as the staff seem excellent. So, no judgement here. I’m even so British I’m willing to assume this was my fault. And despite this, I can’t fault the meal, which was cheap to begin with and even more of a bargain after discount. How did it taste? It was good –stuffed with lovely veg, generous amounts of cheese, and tasty sauce. Not the best I’ve had, and not trad Mexican, but certainly worthy of a revisit.
So, Escobar the bar may lack in personality a little for my tastes, but Escobar the restaurant makes up for that in spades due to wonderful staff, and well made tasty food stuffs, that come at bargain prices.

With an unbelievable early bird’s special, the wife and I have been here a few times. It’s not amazing (half of the cheese on our nachos is always cold and unmelted) but it’s much better than what you usually see passed off as Mexican food in this nation.
The décor is a bit wonky, but is actually fairly typical of Mexican food dives I’ve been to in the States. They also play the same music too!
Overall I’ve had good experiences here, despite the nachos every single time. The only truly terrible experience I had was my wife finding a sizable amount of hair in her main meal one time. Needless to say, that’s been the last visit we’ve made. I think I’d be willing to forgive them this cardinal sin of the cooking world but I’m not sure my wife is.
If you’re in Leeds City Centre, during their early bird special, take them up on it. Great deal and good food.