Best Chile Relleno
Mi Nidito Café
READERS' AND STAFF PICK: Practically every Mexican restaurant has its own version of rellenos, varying from region to region, town to town, block to block. Some of them are totally bizarre, concocted with things like shrimp bits and pine nuts; many are traditional, simple and very good, And then there are the really great rellenos, like they make at Mi Nidito. They use large green chiles, stuffed with cheese and spices, lightly battered and fried. The resulting combination is lighter than expected (although maybe not for your heart!), and they bring on a lengthy pleasant warmth or a more serious burn depending on the strength of the chiles. Mi Nidito's rellenos are always top-notch, and if you've ever tried to make them, you know it's difficult to come up with anything that even looks like food. Try the Mi Nidito's No. 4 Combination for relleno overload: two rellenos, rice and beans. You won't be disappointed, but you'll certainly be well-fed.
1813 S. Fourth Ave.READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: La Indita, 622 N. Fourth Ave.
CAT'S MEOW: Café Terra Cotta is one of those rare restaurants serving Southwest cuisine--note the Mexican accent--with distinct and innovative taste, character and design. If you're looking for crispy, fried rellenos, go elsewhere. At Terra Cotta, 4310 N. Campbell Ave., the chile relleno platter features two huge poblano chilis, roasted, split and stuffed, one with a mixture of chicken, peppers, jack cheese and seasonings, the other of fresh shrimp, seasonings and cheese, both cooked by convection rather than fried, and served, with delicious vapors tickling the nose, over a chipotle sauce with black bean salsa. Stellar!
