Almita's is our favorite Mexican joint. We discovered it quite by accident...looks like a little house, tricked out by a few Christmas lights...when the restaurant around the corner was too busy.
We got there early evening mid-week and had the place pretty much to ourselves, which was a good thing, as Almita herself was THE bartender, THE waitress, THE cook and THE busboy. She was very friendly and can cook like the Devil.
For the most part, we had pretty standard fare...tacos, enchiladas, etc...but I ordered blackened fish (can;t remember which), which all of it was outstanding...down to the excellent guacamole. Good portions and VERY reasonable prices.
My marguerita was HUGE (was my birthday treat).
Looking thru the menu, the Mexican breakfast stuff looked incredible.
BUT...here's the deal:
IT IS primarily a favorite for the local Hispanic crowd at night. Obviously a hang out for caballeros to show their stuff and flirt with the muchachas. Corona's and Futball on the TV until the DJ shows up around 8 and the Mariachi music BLASTS, and the little dance floor heats up with mini-skirts and knee-high boots, cowboys hats and huge belt buckles. We have come on a Saturday evening and the DJ has blessedly kept the volume down until we finished our meal, and then...PARTAY TIME! Not that we minded, he just did it out of consideration. I am from New Mexico, so I LOVE IT and am comfortable being immersed in Hispanic good times and people. Our waitress even grabbed up our youngest boy (then about 12) and took him out onto the tiny dance floor for a few tunes. He was in HEAVEN!
On the other hand, if you go on one of the busier nights, better brush up on your Spanish, as the staff is often "no hablo Ingles". On busy nights Almita goes between the bar and the kitchen. Again, I don;t mind...it's part of what makes this place charming and dear to me. One just needs a little bit of an open mind, awareness and patience...but I have seen a few rather arrogant comments on other review sites about the "Mexican-ness" of the joint.
Better they should go to Taco Bell, perhaps, for their so-called "taste of Mexico".....
This place is AUTHENTIC atmosphere for the ex-pats from "down south", not some made-up crap Hollywood version like "Chuys" or "On The Border", so be prepared.