I love Mexican food. Look, I get it: the food a gringo like me considers “Mexican” could probably be better described as “Mexican diaspora” or “Mexican American” cuisine, but I don’t care–I adore it, however you describe it. Enchiladas, rice and beans, tacos, burritos, the whole shebang. Truth be told, though, for the sake of my wallet and waistline, I don’t tend to eat out too terribly often. However, I make an exception for Mexican places; I think I’ve probably eaten at every sit-in Mexican restaurant in all of Harrisonburg, and, me being me, I’ve formed strong opinions on all of them. Knowing this, it’s with great gravity and severity that I claim that Los Marquez, in the strip mall near Food Lion and VMRC, is my favorite. Here are my thoughts on the establishment, my go-to order, and the service provided to me during a review last week.
Ambiance, Vibe: Hey. Don’t call me pretentious–you eat with your eyes first, after all! And Los Marquez is very “cozy” inside. Cultural frescoes line the walls of the restaurant, and the main eating room is dotted with lovely wooden furniture. The space feels welcoming and lived-in, and is well-kept and clean. It’s a space I enjoy sitting in, and for me, that makes the eating experience that much better. In the post-Covid age of Door-Dash and takeout, I think the physical space of a restaurant counts for a lot.
Price, Food: God, this place rules. Ever since first eating here, I’ve always gotten the same thing–a number 9 combo, which comes with 2 enchiladas in sauce, rice and beans, and chips and salsa. Why do I always go for the same thing, you ask? Because it only costs 7 bucks and a quarter!!! Given how insane prices have gotten in this inflated nightmare economy we live in (see Caleb’s article), a delicious meal for less than 10 dollars is an insane bargain. In a world full of gussied-up hipster tacos that cost a bajillion bucks, I will *always* take these. In fact, I just checked the combo menu: none of them cost more than 10 bucks without tax. That’s nuts! And the food is GOOD too! I’d honestly say excellent. I feel I should also add that this restaurant has an entire menu of vegetarian options, for those non-carnivores among us–maybe that’s irrelevant to someone like me, but it’s nice all the same.
Enchiladas: I feel like every Mexican place has their own rendition on red chile sauce–some are more earthy, some spicier, what have you. Los Marquez’s, to me, strikes the perfect balance between these flavors. Theirs has a deep, warm taste of pepper (maybe Guajillos), intermingled with hints of garlic and spice. Fantastic. The tortillas are also wonderful, and don’t fall apart in the sauce. The beef is similarly spiced, and is not overcooked.
Rice and Beans: The backbone of many a Mexican dish, and the aspect of which I find myself the most picky over. This place’s beans are fantastic. Smooth, creamy, and well-seasoned. The rice is similarly well-prepared, with plenty of flavor to boot–the rice makes the perfect tool to sop up any of the enchilada sauce that’s left. Yum.
Service: My server was exceedingly kind, and was fully accommodating of any substitutions or requests. She was careful handing me hot plates, refilled my water as needed, and was just overall wonderful. Being a server is incredibly hard work, and anyone with the mental fortitude to remain polite and kindhearted during a dinner rush has my respect. Shoutout to Vianey.
All in all, this place is just awesome. A real, honest-to-god gem, and a perfect place for hungry college students who may be a little light on cash. No matter how stressed I am, or how busy things may be during my semester, I find myself immediately comforted by the food of Los Marquez’s. I highly recommend them to anyone who is seeking excellent Mexican food at an affordable price.
