A quick trot down Merrimack Street yields several options for the morning meal. I'll admit I relish extra time under the covers and can't seem to get out for breakfast. But early birds catch way more than the worm with Mr. Jalapeno’s breakfast burritos and the Mambo Grill's spicy take on eggs. Across the street Groovy Grub and the Brown Bag Cafe dish up classics like bagel sandwiches for short $$. When is La Boniche opening for the daybreak repast? Now around the corner, Market Street Market which opens at 8 a.m. is also doing the breakfast bash and serving great cups of George Howell java and nice looking muffins. Coffee fiends have as many options as Seattle-ites on this perked up strip. It's a toss-up between Brew’d Awakening’s Equal Exchange and the great flavors a block south at Olive That. Anyone up early enough to dig this scene? Speaking of coffee Dunkin' Donuts serves out 50 cent iced coffee all day.
Side note: I did visit Ole last week and the Merrimack restaurant is cuter than ever. The sangrias are apple-studded delights that go down with ease. But Mill City Madman is right, no one seems to be picking up on this. The place was as quiet as a church after Easter, complete w/ candles. Their new outdoor cafe with wine barrel tables is tre chic. And I see no reason why this shouldn't be your summer afternoon headquarters. Great pre-Lowell Summer Music Series hang.
I actually just had dinner at Mr. Jalapeno's last night. The menu boasted quite a bit of authentic Mexican fare, but I was disappointed with the insanely salty tortilla chips and overly pureed salsa. The margaritas also lacked necessary ice and tequila, although my entree (spinach chimichangas) was next to perfect.
Mr. J's is a strange place. I find it to be very uncomfortable to eat-in there. I only do take-out. I always enjoy the food but have had not-so-pleasant experiences eating in. I once ordered the fajitas and instead of telling me they didn't have the ingredients to complete the dish, they brought out what they had (tortillas and chicken) and added 2 taco's to make up for it. They also keep their chips in a large rubbermaid trash barrel which doesn't seem to be the most sanitary thing as they reach in and grab them with their bare hands that was just in the cash register. Aside from that, they've got children under the age of 10 running around in their kitchen area...it's just not what I want to see when I go out to eat. Again, the food is great, I'd just rather enjoy it at my own place.
I'm guessing that the Rubbermaid barrel was never used for trash...so it's probably not as unsanitary as you think it is. Just a thought.
The bare hands after handling money...well, I agree that's kind of gross.
As for breakfast, I really love Diner's and haven't but I think I'll have to try the Breakfast at Jalapenos or at Mambo's. I'm a sucker for a breakfast burrito and have only had the homemade kind. Fave local breakfast spots are, ir order: #1 Maria's in South Lowell #2 Owl Diner #3 Arthur's #4 Pawtucketville Diner #5 Dream Diner.
Maria's? I've never heard of it. Tell me more. Rosie's in Vinal Sq. is great, but hard to get to. Hectic, unpleasant intersection.
Can someone clear something up for me?
Every time I got to Mr J's, the chips are strangely stale and greasy, the meat is dried out, and most everything else is bland, even the rice. Then again, I love Mambo Grill, which i know is some sort of Cal-Mex place, so what do I know about Mexican food? Nothing. Is Mr J's really what food in Mexico is like? I have a friend due to visit who spent three years in Guatemala in Peace Corps, and when I was telling him about the place's menu, he seemed very excited because he said it sounds like what food is really like in Latin America. Is this true or ... what am I missing here?
On the other hand, it took me 3 1/2 years to make it to Viet Thai, but I went last night and I was very impressed by the Pho I got. I horribly overbought, so let's see how it is the next day when I have it for lunch again :-P
how on earth could such a list exclude the club diner? despite their right-wing politics and inadequate weekend hours (they close at 11 am, i believe), they're my favorite. and they've got a jukebox to boot. of course, i haven't tried any of the others so my opinion is rather worthless.
nonetheless, the only reason i'd stray from dutton street is to try that boot mill sandwich, which sounds so vile that i absolutely must taste it at some point. unfortunately, both times i've tried, the place has been closed. go figure.
i've never gotten a consensus opinion on mr. jalapeno's. is it good enough to justify the guilt that i would feel in betraying the mambo grill and the descotaux (sp?) family, who've invested so much in downtown lowell? i'm not sure i could live with myself.
as a sidenote, i've never had a breakfast burrito, but that picture looks kinda nasty. a little too perfect, like a stock photo from mcdonald's.
and finally, i would not trust the mill city madman. he is a known degenerate and just the type of rube one would expect to find in MAM-PHUS, TAN-UH-SEEEE.
GG, you have to try Maria's, it's on Lawrence Street in South Lowell. Close to Exit 37. No nonsense breakfast. It's family owned and operated and the service is great. LOVE this place!
I forgot to mention that I really miss Two Chefs...they use to be my favorite breakfast place, not to mention they were only a few blocks away from me...loved their basil/tomato Omelet. I don't think I'll ever get over it.
Can't say that I'd add the Club diner to my list. But, I sure do love them after 1 am. That's when they're breakfast tastes great...could be all the booze though. ;)
Corey...you have to try La Carreta in Nashua or Cafe Azteca in Lawrence, this is what real Mexican food should taste like, it's not all taco's and burrito's. However, I do believe there is a place for all types of Mexican food, I'm by no means a snob about it...and LOVE my Mambo burritos.
Have to agree with Ruby- Maria's is the best place in Lowell for breakfast. Pastrami Omelet. O. M. G.
Arthur's just isn't the same as it used to be. I can't remember the last time I had a decent Boott from there. The bacon is always chewy and undercooked, the cheese never melted, and the potatoes are cut into massive, non-bite-sized chunks. Guaranteed disappointment.
If you are in the Lawrence St. area, and are craving a Boott Mill, go to Fitzy's. They actually make Bootts they way they should be made. If you want a straight up breakfast, Maria's is the sure thing.
i went to mr jalapenos for the first time this weekend and for the most part enjoyed everything. i think the american concept of mexican food (esp. in new england) collides with traditional styles, making the food seem very unusual or unlikable for people. for example, i thought the salsa was *really* good and tasted of cilantro - nice salsa ranchera style. the rice is fairly typical, and wasn't bland like la carreta generally is. the best was the pork inside my enchiladas...very moist and spicily seasoned. my husband had the pastel azteca (reminded me of mexican chicken lasagna without pasta) and it was amazing! I think the tortillas are light which is very nice. and, we had the sangria which was hands down better than ole. i am not sure what is in it, but it was very very good.
i agree - the packaging of service and some other things could be smoothed out.