Audio By Carbonatix
No 71: Mini Chile Rellenos at La Loma
La Loma has called West 26th Avenue in Jefferson Park home since 1973, moving once from its original home into the current location built from three conjoined miner’s cabins. A big move to 1801 Broadway downtown was announced in February, but construction and permitting delays have pushed back the closing of the classic Mexican joint to the end of September. That’s just fine with us: The imminent relocation has meant that we’ve been able to celebrate several last suppers over the past few months — each one starting, and sometimes ending, with a basket of La Loma’s mini chile rellenos.
Made with nothing more than wonton wrappers, thin slivers of green chile and a yellow-cheese filling, this quintessential Den-Mex dish stands out for the airy texture of each deep-fried, puffy relleno. Gooey cheese and the mild heat of the chiles combine to form a Southwestern fondue that oozes from the seams of the artfully rolled cylinders, while a dish of green-chile sauce for dipping adds a hint of meatiness from shreds of pork and chicken broth.
While we’ll miss La Loma’s main bar, where the red-brick walls ring with the cacophony of the always-lively crowd, we know that these rellenos will be just as satisfying no matter the setting, especially when washed down with a house margarita served in a fishbowl-sized goblet — a hefty vessel for toasting La Loma’s storied past and bright future.
Hungry for more? All the dishes in our 2016 countdown are linked below.
No. 100: Masala Beef at Biju’s Little Curry Shop
No. 99: Bacon Shrimp and Grits at Bacon Social House
No. 98: Porchetta and Kimchi Sandwich at Brider
No. 97: Squab-and-Sunchoke Tortellini at Abejas
No. 96: Housemade Burrata at Viand
No, 95: Schweinshaxe at Rhein Haus
No. 94 Kimchi Jeon at Seoul BBQ
No. 93: Zuppa Pomodoro at Parisi Italian Market & Deli
No. 92: The Ocean Salad at Sushi-Rama
No. 91: The Signature Bowl from Churn & Burn
No. 90: Green Chorizo at Los Compadres
No. 89: The Diavola Calzone at Pino’s Neighborhood Pizzeria
No. 88: Biscuits and Green Chile at the Noshery
No. 87: Chirashi at Izu Sushi
No. 86: Brisket and Ribs at GQue Championship BBQ
No. 85: The Tornado at the Chowder Room
No. 84: Korean Fried Chicken Wings at Yong Gung
No. 83: A Meatball Hero at Lil’ Ricci’s New York Pizzeria
No. 82: Shakshuka at Stowaway Coffee + Kitchen
No. 81: Late-Night Ramen at Brazen
No. 80: Potato Tacos at El Tejado
No. 79: Corned Beef Heart at theWay Back
No. 78: The Fried Bologna Sandwich at Snarfburger
No. 77: Sweet Corn Mezzaluna at Bar Dough
No. 76: Duck Confit at Table 6
No. 75: Croque Monsieur at Fire
No. 74: Tahini Cookies at the Preservery
No. 73: The Alferd Packer Salad at MAD Greens
No. 72: The Tuna Poke Bowl at Ohana Island Kitchen
