Today we will be looking at two Mexican restaurants located on Gordon Drive which I have frequented the past week. I even brought a friend on one of our adventures, and here is why they
Today we will be looking at two Mexican restaurants located on Gordon Drive which I have frequented the past week. I even brought a friend on one of our adventures, and here is why they deserve your loyalty.
D’Leon’s
I first heard about this place when I reached out to my facebook friends, asking what Mexican restaurants I should try in Siouxland. Someone mentioned D’Leon’s, and I had never heard of them, nor did I know where they were, but my friend said they were on Gordon Drive. So, one afternoon, I just so happened to be driving to work on Gordon Drive, and passed by a Scooters Coffee shop, I pulled into the parking lot, looked to my left, and what do you know? D’Leon’s was right next door! So, this is where it is.
Doing research, like I always do, I found out D’Leon’s is small chain restaurant based out of Omaha, with locations also in Lincoln, Nebraska. And wanting more information on this newly-founded restaurant, I asked the Scooters attendant if they eat there a lot, and she said “Oh my gosh, they’re so good!” and “Get their Chimichanga”, which is a deep-fried stuffed burrito. I drove off, not able to stop at that particular time since I had already eaten, and needed to get to work, but a Chimichanga was on my radar.
Chimichanga and Churros
The next day, was, of all days, Cinco de Mayo, and I decided I’d stop for lunch. Located in the old KFC, I was impressed with their remarkable and outstanding customer service! Wow! Of course, I ordered their Chimichanga, but once I got my food, I noticed on their takeout window, an advertisement for their Churros. Oh no, a second visit was required, but for now, I must savor what I ordered.
Taking home my food, I dove into this colorfully smothered burrito. Yep, this was amazing. I knew I couldn’t finish it, which is why my 14-year-old was patiently waiting. Leaving to get groceries, I came back, and it was gone, and she had a satisfying smile on her face. I asked her if it was good, and she said “Oh yeah”. Kid approved everyone! And this comes from a teenage girl who is very picky with her Mexican food.
However, like I said, I had to go back for their churros, so two days later, I drove all the way out to D’Leon’s just so my husband and I could have churros for dessert. But they are not like the churros you’ve had at Taco John’s. These are stuffed churros, and I got three, one unstuffed, one strawberry, and one cream cheese. Y’all, these were phenomenal! Warm and crispy, with a thick coat of heavenly sugar on the outside. I will have to go again for their caramel stuffed churros soon.
Monja Blanca
Now, this second place is more legit Mexican. With only two locations in Sioux City, the staff can barely speak English, but they are wonderful at understanding what you want, and how to cater your needs. Their original location is on Villa, and I remember when it first opened three years ago, my co-workers wouldn’t stop raving about them. “This is my new favorite place”, and “We went there for the third night in a row”.
I never made it over to their restaurant, since I really don’t go to that side of town, and had forgotten about them, until I decided to write about Mexican restaurants in May, and Monja Blanca came up as a favorite among several friends. “You have to try their queso! I could drink that stiff right out of the container.” Okay then, guess that’s what I’m ordering.
So, one afternoon, my friend surprised me when she came into town, and literally pulled up in front of my house! “We’re going for lunch!” Well, hello to you too! Little did she know I had lunch already figured out, and off we went. It was perfect weather for our much-needed break from this stupid COVID-19 virus, and after we ordered we sat in their parking lot, watching the traffic, and gossiping.
Pupusa and Queso
I wanted to try something I’ve never tried, a Pupusa. It’s basically a flat tamale, with your choice of stuffing. Different restaurants have more varieties, but I ordered their shredded beef pupusa. My friend and her son went for their beef burritos. Those were fantastic! We also got Mexican soda called Jarritos. They come in varying different flavors, but we chose Strawberry and Mango.
Note to self! They are not twist off, and you’ll need a bottle cap opener to get into these. Or, if you’re like my MacGyver friend, she used her car keys. Cheers!
But what about their queso, you ask? Well, after feeling the peer-pressure of all my friends harping on me to try their queso, which is their famous cheese sauce, I went back the next day, and got myself an order, and of course, a beef burrito. I told my friends I didn’t like them for recommending such naughty things like this, but literally, this cheese sauce is more like liquid gold. It could most definitely be drizzled over a slab of concrete and still taste amazing.
Stay hungry my friends
There a few more Mexican restaurants on Gordon drive, but I wanted to highlight two that I think are worth your money and time. And conveniently enough, D’Leons and Monja Blanca are quite close to each other, making for an eventful afternoon if you wanted to practice your competitive eating skills!