A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

Scarfing “Chilaquiles” Before Service Starts At The Drive’s La Mezcaleria

16

by Ken Tsui | It’s early in the afternoon at Commercial Drive’s La Mezcaleria and Chef Alexander Cruz is getting ready to feed his crew after hours of preparations for the coming dinner service. Today, he’s making chilaquiles. “It’s a Mexican lunch classic,” says excited co-owner Ignacio Arrieta, who can’t wait to dig in himself.

Cruz begins by putting a big pot of red guajillo pepper sauce on the stove. As it begins to heat up, he whisks a big bowl of eggs, pouring them into a satisfyingly sizzling hot pan before folding in a healthy dose of refried beans. Meanwhile, bar manager Pablo Schor is making fresh orange juice, Arrieta is setting the table, and the rest of the night’s staff begin to trickle in for the staff meal.

With the sauce now bubbling, Chef Cruz ladles it over each plate and nestles big spoonfuls of refried beans next to crispy totopos (corn tortillas) before garnishing them with sour cream, raw onion, cheese, and fried eggs.

Chef Cruz calls his duo of cooks out of the kitchen as everyone gathers around the table to eat and crack a few jokes. Once the crew mops the last of the guajillo pepper sauce from each of their their plates with bits of bread, they hop back to work preparing for the evening’s onslaught.

  • Chef Alexander Cruz gets crackin'
    Chef Alexander Cruz gets crackin'
  • Pouring eggs into the sizzling pan...
    Pouring eggs into the sizzling pan...
  • Folding in refried beans...
    Folding in refried beans...
  • A warming pot of red guajillo pepper sauce...
    A warming pot of red guajillo pepper sauce...
  • Crispy totopos...
    Crispy totopos...
  • Ladling the red sauce onto totopos
    Ladling the red sauce onto totopos
  • Serving up the refried beans
    Serving up the refried beans
  • Raw onion, an essential ingredient...
    Raw onion, an essential ingredient...
  • A quick drizzle of sour cream...
    A quick drizzle of sour cream...
  • Frying eggs on the flat top...
    Frying eggs on the flat top...
  • Chilaquiles ready to eat!
    Chilaquiles ready to eat!
  • Pablo pouring the fresh orange juice...
    Pablo pouring the fresh orange juice...
  • Bread to mop up the red pepper sauce...
    Bread to mop up the red pepper sauce...
  • The staff dig in...
    The staff dig in...
  • Andrew and Julie enjoying lunch...
    Andrew and Julie enjoying lunch...
  • Ignacio Arrieta
    Ignacio Arrieta
  • Chef Cruz tucks in...
    Chef Cruz tucks in...
  • You missed a spot...
    You missed a spot...
  • Satisfying and messy...
    Satisfying and messy...

EAT MORE STAFF MEALS