La Bamba

I was excited to try a new Mexican place today! I was thinking, maybe there's a really good place in the loop that I've been overlooking for the last 4 years?? I was really hoping it would be good, (despite the 3-stars from yelpers).  

I scanned the reviews and overlooked the negatives to focus on the positives, like:
so good!, steak was perfect!, and I've never been disappointed!. Well...
it wasn't!, it wasn't!, and................. I just was!

I almost didn't walk in because at 12.30p the place wasn't busy. At the corner of Madison and LaSalle that's a red flag. But, I figured maybe it's an off day and I'll give it a shot anyway.

I ordered 3 tacos, 2 steak and 1 beef.  The beef was okay, just okay. The steak wasn't seasoned well and secondly, it tasted a little reheated... ouch, three strikes in one!!! You all know what I'm talking about. Maybe it was sitting in a warmer for a long time, I don't know, but I know reheated beef when I taste it. The rice and beans were good, nothing special. I liked the salsa, not sure why some say it's really hot though, it isn't, but it was good.

La bamba danced a little short. Sorry, I can't go back when La Cocina is lurking a couple blocks over.

Da Bomb. Super chorizo with everything. Every...time!

I've been to La Bamba a few times now, and I've never been disappointed.  The food is authentic, is of course made right when you order it, and the wait is always under five minutes even at lunch hour.  Everything tastes fresh, the portions are very good, and the prices are reasonable.

I have had their taco combo and their burrito combo, and both left me fully satisfied.  The seasoned pork is as good as any I've had, and the beef is lean and not at all greasy.  You can count on getting a bit sleepy after a meal, but your stomach will be fine.  I have yet to brave the burrito as big as your head, but considering the one in their combo is called a "mini-burrito" and I'm stuffed, I'm not sure I dare try.

One major warning: Their hot sauce is not for the faint of heart.  The first time I came here was almost my last when I got that heat, so strong my tongue tried to escape my mouth!  It's standard on everything, so be sure to ask them to hold it or you'll end up howling like Homer Simpson after he ate a Guatemalan insanity pepper.

La Bamba isn't the best Mexican food I've ever eaten, but it's definitely good quality.  In fact I walked from the south loop to get there, and felt it was worth the trip.