El Jefe Tex-Mex
Nestled into the hip, historic Murray Hill neighborhood in Jacksonville, El Jefe Jax is a casual Tex-Mex eatery with a beautifully curated menu from award-winning Chef Scotty Schwartz and Chef Jose Salome. With an emphasis on borderland cooking (that is, regionally inspired cuisine from the Texas-Mexico border), stepping through El Jefe's brightly painted street-front door might easily leave you wondering whether you've stepped foot into Mexico or Marfa. A beautiful saloon-like, full service bar (made of wood and boasting funky details) greets guests upon entrance, followed shortly by cheerful turqoise walls, showcasing an array of iconic artisan art. The menu at El Jefe is equally full of surprises (with plenty of familiar items too)--- and what really sets it apart from other local tex-mex restaurants is its emphasis on authentic ingredients and traditional recipes that reflect food specifically found on the US-Mexico border: flautas, hot tamales, street corn, fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas.
Our favorite dishes? The ones you'd be hard-pressed to rustle up elsewhere in the region; a San Antonio Puffy Taco, posole verde, and their house-made mole (served with grilled chicken). Another not-to-miss item on the menu is their Queso Fundido -- served with real jack cheese and poblano chiles melted by broiling -- which signals a pleasant departure from the other white "queso" so commonly served around these parts. We've not yet tried their desserts but think you'll agree: add one or two fresh citrus margaritas to your lunch or dinner, and andale! El Jefe is a fiesta.
For current hours and menus, visit El Jefe's website at www.eljefejax.com
Chicken Mole with Queso Fresco
This mole sauce will quickly become a staple in your kitchen! It's easy to make and versatile for use with other meat, vegetable or chicken dishes.
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Vicarious Kitchen: Mexico
Vicarious Kitchen explores the variety and richness of traditional Mexican cuisine.
