In the late 70's, our family went to the La Fiesta in Orange, CA every other Sunday for their Champagne brunch. Mom and I were hooked on the Huevos con Chilaquiles. La Fiesta chilaquiles consisted of a bed of fried corn tortilla strips with a little enchilada sauce, grated Monterrey Jack & Cheddar cheese. It was then heated in the broiler until the cheese was melted. Soooo good.
When I read a review of the Huevos con Chilaquiles, I HAD to try it. These Huevos con Chilaquiles could not be more different than what I thought I was getting. However, that's not a bad thing. As I discovered today, the Huevos con Chilaquiles I ate at La Fiesta were about as authentically Mexican as a cheeseburger.
A bed of fried corn tortilla chips was covered in a deep, richly layered red sauce (that you will not find in the supermarket aisles) and what I am guessing is queso fresco. It didn't have the tang of queso Oaxaca. It included very tasty beans. The Mexican rice was unremarkable and didn't deserve to share the plate.
My only gripe with the dish (other than the bland rice) was that the lower layers of the chilaquiles and sauce were cold.
Don Pancho's is proof that what I have been calling "Mexican food" is really "Mexican-style food" perverted to American tastes. Don Pancho's un-apologetically servers authentic Mexican flavors. I look forward to continuing my education there.
If you come on Sunday between 8 & 9:30, there are free tables. After 10AM (when church gets out), you will be waiting.