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Me and Julio serves modern Mexican on Commercial Drive.
A Mexican buddy and I hang out a lot. We are really choosy about food, and he very much so in regards to Mexican (well, yeah.)
He says, "Hey, there's this place I heard about on Commercial that's supposedly Mexican. Wanna give it a try?" I agree, we hit it.
The service is good, at least this night - friendly, fast, and professional. No complaints.
After getting over the sticker shock of $16 tacos (um, Mexican street food? hello?), we go for the lower-priced taquitos and queso fundido.
The presentation is very Food Network - a fancy swirl of sauce on a plate here, a ramequin of corn salsa there, but not imaginative. I'm sure the chef's mom is impressed.
Under the taquitos is this swirl of brown sauce - same colour as mole - which I love. So I swipe a taquito in the sauce, put it my mouth, and...
...AARGH!!! It's Heinz BBQ sauce from a bottle. YUCK!!! And the meat has no flavour otherwise.
The cheese is very watery, and the tortilla chips (deep fried from flour tortillas in house, presumably) have been sprinkled with cayenne pepper powder.
My Mexican friend says it reminds him of Mickey Mouse food - you know, what they might serve at Disney under the Mexican banner for fun, but doesn't really have any relation to Mexican cuisine 'cuz it might scare the gringo kids.
The chef doesn't know Mexican cuisine, and doesn't know the complexity of flavours, or the fundamental methods that underlie the cuisine.
With the bill comes two pieces of Dubble Bubble.
My buddy laughs - it just confirms what he has said - that it's Mickey Mouse.
Went here during the week and the place was about 50% full, hostess let us chose any open table which is nice. Drink list is pretty nice and ordered the regular lime marg. Liked it as it was on the rocks, the way it should be versus the slushy ones. An OK value at $7.75 but you can get a premium tequlia ones starting at $10 and up. Tried their version of hummus which was quite good with a churro as dip, pretty good, some dip left over and asked for a few more chips and that cost extra. Tried the ceasar as well as it was good but standard. Ordered their steak skillet which is like fajitas. Steak was medium rare and was really good. Friend tried the veggie taco and beef/chorizo taco. Had a taste of both and it was not very good. I thought the beef taco was the vegetarian. Tried the vegitarian and didn't finish it. A bit too much pickled cabbage. The sides (rice/beans) were an after thought and was not very good. Service was excellent and based on the mixed food reaction, was just good. Value is a bit below as 2 tacos cost $16+. Probably will not return.
We went here for dinner a few weeks back in the middle of the week. The restaurant was relatively quiet. The service was great; drinks were refilled quickly, food came out fast and the server came back to check on us frequently without being too intrusive. The lime margaritas were excellent.
The food was probably the most disappointing portion of the dining experience. The ceviche was mediocre at best and tasted rather bland. The tacos were completely covered in pink coloured cabbage (perhaps it was slightly pickled?) and 90% of it needed to be removed so I could taste the other ingredients. Based on the quality and tastiness of the food, I would say the value was a little less than desirable. Maybe I just ordered the wrong dishes or they had an off night, but I probably won't return anytime soon.
My main complaint about this place is the value! Prices are about twice as high as they should be. Food was so so - nothing special. Service was slow even when the restaurant was almost empty. I was charged $2.25 for extra tortillas when they didn't provide enough with the fajitas. Definitely will not go back! Probably the worst experience at a Mexican restaurant I've ever had.
Dear Hubby and I had a rare evening without the two children and decided to graze along Commercial Drive.
We had a delightful supper at Me & Julio. We shared a salad, an appy and an entree. The beet salad was enough for a small meal in and of itself. It had a light, nice dressing and chunks of beets and interesting apple pieces. It also had a big chunk of warm goat cheese with a cornmeal coating. I loved this salad.
We had a seafood appie, again, it was a generous portion with three large mounds of mixed seafood on three large tortilla chips. Very suitable for sharing for up to three people. It was light and not overly seasoned.
The paella entree was probably the weakest of the items we choose. However, my dear husband liked it. It had nice fresh seafood and decent flavour - I just found it had too much broth for my liking.
If I was to return, I would stick to the salad and appies. I might also try some more traditional fare and order an enchilada and see how Me and Julio's re-invents it.
The only slight disappointment to this meal was the Sangria - I found it a tad watery. I would go for an imported beer with a lemon stuck in - can't go wrong there.
I will return.
So just passby here the other night with few of my friends since we all fans of the mexican food. Was a mistake! The food was yuck: the rice was tasteless while the burritos are soggy, fries were drenched in oil. When we were still eating the cooks in the kitchen started cleaning the floor and the bleach smell made everyone choke. all in all this place is a waste of money.
My girlfriend and I just came here tonight after decided attempts to try Mexican-style.
It was busy but not a full house. We scampered in and stood for a minute or so before someone finally asked us if we needed to be seated. Several servers had already walked by us at that point. It was nice they were able to let us choose a more desirable 4 seater table over a cramped 2 seater.
The decor is interesting. There was Hawaiian influence with the tiki-styled bar it mostly resembled a mix of various canteens. The seemingly mandatory dim lighting and loud music in restaurants these days set of the ambience for the night. The slippery floor was rather unflattering, but not as much as the paper on the front door warning dining patrons to beware of it.
Menus were already on the table so we sifted through the drinks menu. Both of us decided on the Rosehip and Hibiscus Ice Tea, her's sweetened and mine not. We had another server wait on us and she took our drinks. By the time our drinks came we were almost ready to order, but she disappeared and didn't bother to check up. We waited a good 10-15 minutes before she finally came back to ask if we were ready to order. We started with the Guacamole Classico, which was guacamole and black bean dip with tortilla chips. My companion ordered the Guacho Steak (flat iron steak with corn, mashed potatoes, and onion rings) and I the Enchiladas with rice and organic greens.
My companion's entree was generously portioned but wrought with inconsistency. The steak was ordered medium but was clearly done medium rare. The steak knife provided was inadequate to cut through the fibers like butter but she managed anyways. After wrangling a piece on the fork it was tasty. The mashed potatoes were nicely done and I quite liked the roughed mash which I don't see too often anymore. The corn and grilled peppers were on par however the onion rings were mostly garnish. They used red onions and a buttermilk batter but was cooked poorly with some parts uncooked but mostly an oily mess.
My entree was rather disappointing. The enchiladas had a nice filling of various cheeses, eggplant, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes. It was fresh tasting but they were very meager in size. The rice and organic greens were very ordinary, the rice was Greek style while the few leaves of greens were soaked with vinagrette.
Both of us really liked the tortilla chips from our appetizer. The chips came in a heaping mound over a basket and were made to order. They were crispy, light and was a little thicker than other tortilla chips and was delicately seasoned with salt and pepper. It was disappointing the guacamole was bland as was the black bean dip. Welcoming size and good to share between 4 people easily.
The other highlight was the Rosehip and Hibiscus Ice Tea. The parasol stuck to a wedge of lemon on the rim was cheeky but was refreshing to start. The difference between the unsweetened and sweetened variety was negligible.
Service is slow and too casual (like many other Commercial Dr. eateries). The vibe I got from a couple of the servers (including ours) left me thinking they felt forcibly confined and seemed to lack some interaction skills with patrons. Considering the small space we felt invisible from entering to leaving. Not a welcome or goodbye.
Prices are a little steep in my opinion since I'm not too sure what I'm paying for. I won't mind coming back and checking out some of the other menu items but alas I would've liked a good first impression.
I went with the girls on a night where we were lucky there was no line-up. Still, even with no line-up, it was pretty busy inside. I have to say, the interior here is better than Lolita's. Roomier tables and enough space between tables for comfort.
Overall, the restaurant has very nice decor, especially the tiki bar.
We choose to sit outside, and eventhough it was slightly chilly, the heat lamps made it perfect. We ordered a drink each. I agree with a previous reviewer, the cocktails were very strong. I know some would ask, "Are you crazy?!", but drinking a cocktail with no flavor other than the alcohol, is not so tasty. They weren't horrible, but I'd prefer taste over content.
We ordered food shortly when our drinks arrived. 2 ahi salads, 1 quesidilla and 1 portobello appie. The salads looks pleasing and were reported as tasty, especially with the mango slices. I tried a bit of the quinoa, and it was also tasty. I tried a bit of the portbello queso appie. It was warm, yummy, creamy and delicious. Kinda like a mushroom motoyaki! But with cheese.
My quesidilla wasn't your regular flour tortilla sandwich. It came empanada-style. They were amazing little hot pockets!! Needless to say, we all thoroughly enjoyed the food. Prices were okay. My quesidilla was under $10, the salads were about $13.
Our server was very nice, but the food took quite a while to arrive. But the wait was well-worth it!!
Have been to Me and Julio's 4 times and every time was PACKED, with a wait. Not this time - in fact the place was half empty. The food was terrific and it was nice to have some room to move around. Margaritas were good and had real lime juice in them, ribs were a bit over-sauced, but still really delicious - came with a nice slaw and very very good Mac and Cheese. Salsas are fresh and interesting - love the tomatillo one. I think the prices are very reasonable, considering the portions and the quality of the food. I really like this place. Cheers.
I'm a huge fan of Mexican food, and although the menu does have a certain degree of mexican flare, it definitely isn't a place to sample the rich cuisine I expected at this price range. How two small, less than savory tacos cost over $16.00 is beyond me. It appears to me the only thing that remotely matches the price of the menu is the ambience, which is pleasant, but not anything special. Regardless, the ambience of any restaurant should never be its best quality.
Came for saturday brunch as I have in the past. It wasn't busy. The menu has several breakfast items with eggs and a few lunch dishes about $12 each with an entire backside of the menu dedicated to beverages but no coffee or tea for this brunch menu. When asked if they had lattes, the server said ya of course with an unfriendly tone; we asked what the options were for coffee and she said the regular ones (?!?). Well that wasn't helpful so we ordered reg coffees. We ordered food and it came quickly. Food was presented cleanly and I enjoy the food more than at las margaritas. We asked for some hot water and the server was confused: "you mean like boiling water? To like wash your er hands or something?" Wtf? Has she never had a mug of hot water with lemon? It's autumn. She was weird about getting it but did so nonetheless. When the bill came, I walked behind my table to ask her if I needed to go up with my card cuz of the PIN. Again she was unfriendly and just nodded her head with no smile saying I'll be there yeah I'll be there, cutting me off. Er it's not even busy!
Went with a group of friends to Me & Julio for brunch today... wasn't very impressed. The portions were small (for the prices they charge) and the place was very loud. we had to shout while talking to the friends across the table. The waitress didn't bother to fill our glasses with water. Two of us are vegetarian and there's not much of a choice.
We went in after a bunch of people told us it was a great place to drink and a good addition to the drive. Well, it kind of felt like Moxies had moved in but after some time it will probably get some weathering and will feel less new painty. Our server was new (she told us several times) and our drinks were always different from what we ordered - wondered what the bartender was told to make. The room itself has potential to be really good, with less cramped up seating and less loud, predictable music. The food was good, we were there for a brunch (food and booze on a Sunday!) and enjoyed what they had to offer. I will be back but will wait a bit until I know things are running smoother for them.
Its new so I will try again in the next while
Seating is sardine like. I am all for cozy but this is a bit rediculous. Had to inconvenience 5 people to get to the table.
Nice room, staff was trying hard and there are nice touches.
Brunch was Blah though.
Bennies overcooked, undersauced and the corn bread was to dry.
Potatoes were good but cold and the bacon was again cold.
Perhaps a Marg on the patio next summer till then adios!!!!
This place has become a regular for my SO and I. We characterize the food as 'elegant mexican'.
The guac is top-quality fresh and tasty, and the house-made dusted chips are outstanding.
The sangria is nothing special, but the margaritas are consistently good.
Portions are very large; the salads are meal-sized.
My favourite entree is the halibut tacos, but I've enjoyed everything at this place!
I note that other reviewers have commented on the beans and also the cabbage.
- I always order the back beans and have received them exactly the way I like them.
- My experience is that cabbage is typical on tacos and many entrees in Baja. The fact that M&J serve it red & pickled is perhaps their take on 'modern mexican' - I don't know. The flavors don't seem out of place; and I usually just fork it off to the side anyway and eat a little bit.
- The mind boggles that some reviewers want more salt on their plates. Correct mexican food is refreshing in that it traditionally has little salt, and I'm grateful that M&J follows this tradition.
Servers are (IMHO) typical for the Drive; pleasant & efficient. The kitchen gets the plates out quite promptly.
An excellent fresh & tasty meal with good booze for under $75 satisfies this couple.
Happened on this place on a late Friday nite and this place was hopping, and every nite we happen to be driving by. Ended up sitting at one of the shared bar tables and had the fresh made nachos to start which were excellent. Food overall was pretty solid, good ambience if you like the crowded busy environment, but would certainly go back with a group for it's laid back vibe.
I'd never been a big fan of Mexican food, but that was before Red Burrito. Then Me & Julio's shows up, and now I can't believe I didn't discover Mexican sooner. Me & Julio's quickly became a summer favorite for my friends & I. The food is delish - extremely flavourful as well as colourful - though the portions are a bit small. It can get a bit pricey if you're looking for a lot of food, but if you're satisfied with high quality, smaller portions, then you'll go home happy. One thing that still needs work are the drinks. I've yet to be impressed. Still, great place, great food, and I love the little star shaped lanterns that hang all around the restaurant.
My friend and I were recommended to this place so we decided to give it a try. It was full on a Sunday night which is a good sign. However, it must be because it's a novelty. Despite arriving before another couple, they were seated before my friend and I who were directed to wait at the bar. No big deal, as we were seated immediately after, but right near the front door which made for a drafty dining experience. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, recommending the salmon so we both ordered it. Presentation was pleasant as were the first few bites. As we dug deeper into the salmon, it seemed mushy but the dim lighting made it difficult to notice exactly how raw it was. A forkful of cold fish made me realize that the centre of the salmon fillet was uncooked. At first, the waitress tried to pass it off as being medium rare, but when she picked up my plate, she admitted that mine was beyond rare. She promptly took our plates back to kitchen and soon reappeared saying the cooks were preparing entirely new plates for us. She was apologetic and didn't charge us for drinks. Still, the food wasn't good enough for us to make this a regular stop.
A group of 7 of us reserved a table for 7:30pm and were seated promptly. Restaurant was not full at all. After we got our drinks, it took a long while to place our dinner orders. And then we waited, and waited and waited! We don't know why it took so long, but we didn't get our meals till around 9pm! Again, the place was not full at all! Service is rated poor, the waitress did not come back to check with us to ask us about the food, or come back to fill our water glasses.
When we got our food, it wasn't piping hot, so why did we have to wait so long for this? And the one person who ordered a salad with chicken(in order to avoid the fried foods), the cheese and chicken were fried on it! So much for trying to eat healthy! Quality of food was just so-so. 5 out of the 7 of us, did not finish our plates, not because we weren't hungry (we were starving at this point), but because the food wasn't all that good!
Groups of 6 or more are required to pay gratuity of 17%. Needless to say, we didn't feel that 17% was deserved. We will not be back again.
Overall I wasn't too impressed with this restaurant. I have ordered quite a few dishes there and the only one that has been enjoyable was the turkey tostada. Unfortunately every time I have gone the service has been poor and the food has been sub-par. Its expensive and not worth the price. We have also had the chicken quesedilla and when we cut into it was cold! Don't go!
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