No matter what city I am in the world, I will seek out Mexican food. It is my comfort food that I could eat 365 days year. Just ask my wife. So when I was in Amsterdam over a recent weekend, the question was not whether I would eat Mexican but which restaurant I would go to.
Staying at the Hyatt Andaz Prinsengracht, I wanted eat close by to the hotel. I settled upon a place called Los Pilones about seven minutes away on Kerkstaat 63. It turned out to be a GREAT choice. Started by three brothers from Mexico (always a good sign) Los Pilones now has three locations in Amsterdam. But this is not just a Mexican chain restaurant.
The restaurant is known for tequila – there are 185 varieties available. There is also a huge selection of alcoholic drinks including a full cocktail menu. But I just wanted food. Enchiladas to be precise.
I did not have a reservation and when I arrived at just past 8pm on a Saturday evening, the restaurant was packed unless I sat outside in the 25ºF cold. I noticed an open seat at the bar and opted to dine there. When I’m alone, I prefer a bar over a table (or not even going out).
One of the brothers welcomed me and immediately brought over some warm tortilla chips and amazingly fresh Pico de Gallo.
I ordered enchiladas verdes – four corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and covered in salsa verde (green sauce) cheese, onions and sour cream.
I inhaled it. Tempted to order another, I asked for the check (~17EUR) and retuned back to my hotel room for a stroopwaffel and espresso.
If you’re craving Mexican food in Amsterdam, you’re safe with Los Pilones.
I’m the opposite. I love Mexican food possibly even more than you do, albeit of the corrupted San Antonio variety. But I almost never seek it out when I travel, for two reasons. One, I inevitably find myself disappointed when it doesn’t measure up to good Tex-Mex. But more than that, I can get good Mexican food on practically any street corner in any Texas town. I’d rather sample whatever regional/national specialties the place I happen to be has to offer. Though I have to concede, those enchiladas verdes do look pretty good…
Matthew,
Your 100% correct! Los pilones is definitely the best authentic Mexican food place in amsterdam if not the whole of Europe. I tried tons of other places over the years and always found it to be lacking spice and flavor. Los pilones is run by Mexicans and they even import their own brand of tequila! Either way I am super impressed you found it! It is truely a gem.
What’s the deal with the soup?
@Bill: you mean the main course? It is in a salsa verde. Makes the enchiladas taste even better.
Thanks for the reply! I’ve never seen enchiladas swimming in a bowl of salsa before (no, I don’t eat out much).
Do they take credit cards there?
They do. I used my Chase Sapphire Reserve.