I always take my, out of town guest here for lunch! It's fabulous!

I always take my, out of town guest here for lunch! It's fabulous!
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Yes, yes. I agree wholeheartedly about the annoying wait at this restaurant. Both times I've gone, I arrived promptly at 5pm when they opened and have both times been the last person seated. The... More

Yes, yes. I agree wholeheartedly about the annoying wait at this restaurant. Both times I've gone, I arrived promptly at 5pm when they opened and have both times been the last person seated. The parties immediately after us were told to come back in 45 minutes. Yikes! Given that I've never had a horrible wait, I will proceed to share the high points of this experience. I love their margaritas, served up strong like they should be, and made with high quality tequila - Amazing! Some chips and a variety of salsas available at the self-service salsa bar are a great way to wet the appetite and counteract the aforementioned drink. Unlike many "Mexican" restaurants, the items on this menu are tasty appetizer size plates. If you value quantity, you may be disappointed if you order certain items. I found that the best bang for your buck would be the pork or chicken tamale. They come in a lovely mole sauce and are truly filling. I'd venture to say they are the best I've had in a long time! Pros: Mole, margaritas!! Cons: Parking, Shared seating arrangement
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Way, way over-hyped. This may be the "in" place to go on Ballard Avenue (and the decor /lighting are certainly original), but the wait (even after we had left for a half hour having left our name... More

Way, way over-hyped. This may be the "in" place to go on Ballard Avenue (and the decor /lighting are certainly original), but the wait (even after we had left for a half hour having left our name on the waiting list and came back) was still about AN HOUR from the time we actually got seated. (And then though the restaurant was fairly full, there was no line outside). There seemed to be about one or two waiters. We had to go up to him and ask him for a beer, which he brought in 20 minutes without a glass. At least a couple of tables (the people arrived after us) were served ahead of us. The condiments were very good but the waiter did not tell us we had to go up and get them ourselves. The portions are miniscule but tasty. The Mole Negro Oaxaquena was one, albeit delicious, drumstick. The Tacos Carne Asada was also very good but slight. I don't blame the waitors or staff, but the manager is obviously making BIG BUCKS and not making it a very pleasant experience waiting and waiting and waiting. For that kind of a wait...nothing's worth that. For value for your bucks, and service (and if you don't want to have to wait an ordinate amount of time) go to Corditos,Pesos Kitchen and Lounge, or for that matter, or Guaymos (sp?). 11/30/2006
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This is absolutely the best Mexican Food I've ever had in Seattle, second only to a small family place I ate at in Mexico City in 1976. It's noisy and really crowded and you may have to sit next... More

This is absolutely the best Mexican Food I've ever had in Seattle, second only to a small family place I ate at in Mexico City in 1976. It's noisy and really crowded and you may have to sit next to a stranger if you're really hungry, but it is worth it. The Tamales de Mole' Negro are wonderful. Reasonable prices help. Get there early and leave your typical mexican meal experience at home.
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Mole. Oaxaca. Rinse. Repeat. If you stop me on the street corner and tell me that there is a more perfect sauce than mole, you are either lying or wrong. La Carta's mole and tender slow-cooked... More

Mole. Oaxaca. Rinse. Repeat. If you stop me on the street corner and tell me that there is a more perfect sauce than mole, you are either lying or wrong. La Carta's mole and tender slow-cooked puerco is bliss -- don't even talk to me about Cactus and that place in Fremont, they can't hang. And they charge 3 times as much as La Carta. And their salsa isn't as good. And La Carta's decor kicks -- and all the photos of ruddy-yet-attractive Oaxacans and their surroundings are by local artist Spike Mafford. Did I mention the mole? Plus they are open past 10. Yahtzee.
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