El Chicanito Store

Update:
12÷21÷11
Stopped by with 2 guests for lunch. The food was as great as before, and my guests were very pleased with the flavors and experience. Rice and beans were very tasty, too.
Original review:
10÷21÷11
Jackpot!
There aren’t many times I visit a restaurant knowing absolutely nothing about it, and have it hit one out of the park. El Chicanito did just that this on a beautiful afternoon this past week. I’ve driven by this place hundreds of times over the past few years and never once even noticed it. How can great places hide from you in plain sight?
It’s in an unassuming building on the north side of Gulf to Bay after that road curves right to connect to Cleveland near downtown Clearwater. Entering the building, I was struck by how spacious it is, probably seating 80+ in booths and tables (a large number which seat 8 for large parties), Immediately to your left is a nice large bar and stools, and to your right is a sound system, which I assume is for music/​DJs. The entire room is nicely decorated, and very neat and clean.
Right out of the gate El Chicanito gets big points for a nice selection of 9 Mexican beers and I was quickly served up my favorite Bohemia (yeah!) In moments a basket of freshly handmade tortilla chips and salsa landed (a great sign you’re in for a good meal). And thank goodness, as it was going to take a while just to read the big menu which is packed with authentic Mexican dishes, a number of which I’ve never seen before. Since the menu isn’t online, I’ll mention that along with the basics of tacos, tortas, tostadas and sopes, it features 16 meat entrees ($ 8 – 11), 10 seafood dishes including shrimp/​calamari/​octopus ($ 8 – 11), 5 fish ($ 10 – 13), and 6 soups made with seafood/​shrimp/​fish/​tripe (menudo)/lamb ($ 6 – 13). All in all, it’s a tremendous variety of authentic choices.
My time was short, and I was there to taste tacos, so I ordered up a chorizo and a carnitas, which arrived quickly in a traditional & extremely tasty handmade soft corn tortilla with a delicious green salsa verde to cover it with… heavenly! Definitely in the top 3 I’ve had so far in Pinellas.
It all combined into a great meal… the nice surroundings, friendly wait staff, and delicious food at good prices. Big thumbs up and I can’t wait to get back here to dig through the menu. On the Pinellas Mexican restaurant scale:
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Food: 5
Value: 5

It’s much more than a store. Walk in and I swear the artwork will make you think you really are in Mexico.
But I don’t drive from Tampa to clearwater for the art work or décor. I drive there because a dear friend of mine introduced me to this place a few years ago and I’ve been hooked since. I’ve only gotten the tacos. But there’s much more of the menu and the serving sizes are pretty big from what I can see.
This is the only place in the whole bay area where I can get a decent (but these are the best) churizzo taco. I’m almost mad at my friend this was my first experience with authentic Mexican food and I’ve tried lots of places since and I’m still looking for a place that compares. Nothing does.
Don’t let the outside of the building fool you. It’s a great place. I’m not one for long reviews but this place gets my review just they deserve it. Simple as that. Helps if you speak Spanish as well. Ordering goes a little smoother at times. But staff is very friendly which helps.