This site was started with the idea that I would document most of meals in an effort to help those who, like me, tend to eat out more than they cook. I had visions of similar minded people who lived in the Fremont, Ballard, Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Belltown and Downtown areas looking to my site as kind of diners guide to what was good and what was not. Being that I was basically targeting me I figured I’d limit my reviews to restaurants that were, fairly, close to me. But today found me in Bellevue.

On an outing to the Bellevue Square Mall a friend and I decided we’d drive around for a bit to see what that area had to offer in the way of a tasty lunch. A short drive down Main street placed us outside La Cocina del Puerco. After my disappointing dinner earlier this week at Chile Pepper I figured this might be just the thing to give me hope about Mexican fare in Seattle.

What hits you as soon as you walk in is the decor. It may not be the most authentic but the wobbly metal tables and folding chairs, along with a warm late summer’s day, you almost could imagine you are in a roadside stand South of the border. While my friend C may believe that La Cocina is a chain (The La Cocina del Puerco in Overland Park, KS), I think this place is just a knock-off of what someone probably experienced on a trip to the mid-West.

You order at a cafeteria-style counter complete with steam trays and menu board on the back wall. After some study I decided on the #9, the Puerco’s Combo ($8.99), for my friend it was a #4, the Tostada ($7.39). Once our orders were placed we scooted down to the cashier, paid, then grabbed our trays and headed for a seat.

My Puerco’s Combo came with what was called a taquito but in actuality was just a small taco. But that’s where the complaint ends. The fresh corn tortilla held a little pile of tender shredded beef. Spiked with cooked tomatoes and onion, with just a hint of chili spice, this made for the perfect little hand-held treat. Along with my taco came a Chili Relleno. The Chili itself was a little overdone, probably from having sat in the steam tray too long but still possessed a good amount of flavor. Filled with fresh cheese and bathed in a slightly tangy red sauce it was a good addition to the plate. The little Pork Tamale was nearly perfect though. A not-too-thick, not-too-thin savory masa shell surrounding tender, spicy pork filling. I almost wished they had a combo plate with just these. While my meal came with rice and beans I was only able to tackle the beans. The portions are ample and if you go hungry you could order more than your stomach can handle. But as for the beans; pinto beans cooked to just this side of done, fresh and firm were a hit both C agreed were some very good beans.

Regardless of if La Cocina del Puerco is unique, a chain or just a bastardized knock-off, the food was decent. Is it a place that I’d drive to Bellevue for? Sadly no. But if you find yourself at the mall, and hungry, stop in and grab a bite.