Ernesto's Has Opened; Rte 40 Gets Mexican From Dallas To Go With New Korean Bakery Shilla

Ernesto's Fine Mexican in Ellicott City

Ernesto's Fine Mexican has opened in the Enchanted Forest shopping center on Rte 40 -- bringing a Dallas chain to Ellicott City.

I didn't actually taste the food when I stopped for a menu.  I had just eaten two tacos in Catonsville.  But the place looked nice.  The menu looks like basic Tex-Mex with tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and some larger entries.  They have special lunch dishes.

Kathy ate at Ernesto's on the third night they were open.  She said the meal wasn't perfect, but it showed signs of promise.

Most of it was well cooked but under seasoned. The queso blanco on my enchilada and the rice in the side were excellent. I had a long talk with Myra, a manager here from Texas to open the new place. She wants to sample other Mexican food in the area but so far has only been to Don Pablo's. I wanted to weep! I sent her to R&R. Hopefully that will convince her we want, need, love real Mexican!

I'm with Kathy.  I love Mexican food, but I pass by many Mexican restaurants around here because I'm afraid that I'll get piles of cheese with uninspired ingredients.  In contrast, I stop at taquerias aimed at immigrant customers because the food is often fresh and full of flavor.

Baked goods at Shilla

In the same way, we're lucky to be getting a variety of shops aimed at Korean customers on Rte 40.  The Shilla Bakery has opened -- although they're still waiting to offer sandwiches.  You can buy all kinds of cakes, cookies and sweets, along with some savory baked goods like Shilla's take on pizza.

Again, I have only visited with a full stomach.  Mrs. HowChow and I split a green bean donut, which was terrific.  Sweet, dense filling inside a fried pastry.  If you catch a warm night, we highly recommend bing soo, a Korean dessert that we had at the similar Bon Appetit Bakery farther west on Rte 40.

What do people suggest at Shilla and Ernesto's?  What have you had?  What would have again?  What would you order next time? 

Both Shilla and Bon Appetit are cool places to hang out.  They're basically coffee shops with awesome sweets.  They're often packed with families and kids.  

Ernesto's Fine Mexican Food
10040 Baltimore National Pike (Rte 40)
Ellicott City, MD
410-750-1005

NEAR:  Ernesto's is in the Enchanted Forest shopping center.  It is on the north side of Rte 40 west of Rte 29.  Ernesto's is next to Jilly's.

Shilla Bakery
9339 Baltimore National Pike (Rte 40)
Ellicott City, MD
410-418-8800

NEAR: Shilla is on the south side of Rte 40 west of Rte 29.  It is in the same shopping center as Jason's Wine & Spirits.  Don't listen to Google.  Shilla sells some items in the Lotte grocery at Rte 29 and Rte 40, and Google lists that as Shilla's Ellicott City location.

Ernesto's Fine Mexican Food Coming To Rte 40

Folks are seeing a sign for Ernesto's Fine Mexican Food in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center on Rte 40.

On the Facebook page, Rich posted about the sign and gave a link to a small Texas chain that he thinks may be expanding into Ellicott City.  The Web site seems to show restaurants near Dallas, and that makes me think they'd be pretty good Mexican.  Does anyone know more?