• Chicken Mole with beans and rice $10.99

I think to sum up El Nortendo it is a good neighborhood place. We have so many great places that serve Mexican food in our city that the competition is really great. All you need to do is go to Mercado Central or Midtown Market and you have 5-10 choices all serving amazing food.

I liked the chips and salsa the chips they were fresh and the salsa spicy (at least for Minnesota). My mole was very good, I really did enjoy it and the tortillas that accompanied it were above average. The beans and rice were average at best. I think I would stick with the more unusual items on the menu.

• Fiesta Combo - Pork Tamale, Cheese Enchilada, Beef Flauta (Taquito) with beans and rice $9.99

El Norteno was a close call for us. Renee’s chicken mole was good; my entrée was not as good. It’s not that it was terrible; it’s just that the bar has been raised for high quality authentic Mexican food. There must be a dozen or more fabulous Mexican restaurants on Lake Street and this is not one of them. Everything at El Norteno was merely average. It was every enchilada, tamale, and flauta I’ve ever had rolled into one. Unfortunately, if you live in the neighborhood, I would have to recommend you keep driving down Lake Street.