Migration
Hacienda in Wiesbaden offers Tex-Mex with a twist
Stars and Stripes
January 9, 2020
The El Patron plate at Hacienda Mexican Restaurant is three beef enchiladas smothered in cheese and a beef taco, with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
The El Patron plate at Hacienda Mexican Restaurant is three beef enchiladas smothered in cheese and a beef taco, with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
The pulled pork nachos with guacamole and pico de gallo are flavor-packed at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
The Hacienda Mexican Restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany offers table service with a bar. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
The Hacienda Mexican Restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany. (David Edge/Stars and Stripes)
The land of schnitzel and bratwurst will probably never be known for its daring takes on Mexican cuisine, but there are restaurants in Germany that do fine enough renditions of tacos, burritos and other standards.
Located on the Rhine river in downtown Wiesbaden, Hacienda Mexican Restaurant is a picturesque spot with a large, L-shaped dining room. The lighting is a little dark, but it makes the dining experience very cozy.
The menu is long and offers an impressive array of enchiladas, tostadas, tacos, burritos and salads.
Once seated, free chips and salsa arrived at the table. The chips were warm but the salsa — basically diced-up stewed tomatoes, onions and cilantro — left me wanting. I really missed the bell peppers and jalapenos that the Texan in me expects in a good salsa.
The drink menu offered a variety of wine, beer, tequila and margaritas. My guest and I both ordered frozen strawberry margaritas, which were a little on the weak side but very flavorful.
For the main course I ordered the El Patron plate, three beef enchiladas smothered in cheese and a beef taco, with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo. The meat was a little bland, but the smothering of sauce and cheese ended up making it really enjoyable.
My companion ordered the pulled pork nachos, with guacamole and pico de gallo. The flavor-packed pork was tender and juicy, tasting like it had been braised for hours.
As a very critical Texan, I found lacking the spicy heat that I associate with Tex-Mex. But dialing down the heat isn’t all that unusual in Germany.
If you are a Mexican food lover in Wiesbaden, I’d recommend Hacienda. What the food lacks in heat, it makes up for by being well-prepared, and the servers are very attentive.
Location: Biebrich Rheingaustasse 152, Wiesbaden, 65203
Hours: Monday-Friday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 4 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Prices: Most entrees are 10-20 euro
Menu: German with English under each description
Information:hacienda-restaurants.de/kontakt; reservations recommended