Marinated in Magic: Los Novillos Family Mexican Restaurant

This story is brought to you by Live in Everett Member Juanita "Nita" Dawson LMT/MMT

We were killing time before an appointment, so we decided we needed a margarita and snacks. The sign at Los Novillos advertised that happy hour had just started, so we decided it was fate. The margaritas were strong and wet, and not bad for a HH special. We snacked on the Camarones Appetizer, which is prawns sauteed in butter, garlic, white wine, and mushrooms, served with a tub of melted butter. We left for our appointment feeling good, wishing we had a few more prawns on that platter and vowing to return for a complete meal.

Life got busy, but we finally made our way back.

After a soggy Sunday morning hike in Anacortes, we headed home, but I was chilled and couldn’t shake the craving for a margarita. Next thing I knew, those garlicky, wine-soaked prawns slipped furtively into my mind, and I was sold. The boyfriend had no argument when I suggested we stop.

Immediately after being seated, we ordered Cadillac Margaritas (large, strong, and delicious) and tucked into the gigantic menu. There is a lot on the menu, and I was pleased to see dishes you don’t find in dine-in restaurants around Everett. Like Molcajete, Alambre, Arrachera, and tortas!!

The boyfriend ordered Carne Asada and Camarones, which are the same prawns from the appetizer on our first visit, but with a slab of flame-broiled skirt steak and grilled green onions. It was served on a large plate with rice, beans, salad, and tortillas. It was very typical of a carne asada plate, but those prawns were an added bonus. We both liked that they asked how you want your steak cooked.

Arrachera is Spanish for flank steak but since this wasn’t “carne asada”, I knew it was something special. The accompanying sides were charro beans, chilaquiles, and salad. I’ve never had charro beans but one bite and these rocketed to the top of my Favorite Bean list (yes, I have a Favorite Bean list). I asked our waiter if there was bacon in them and he said “Yes! And chorizo and ham and sausage!” * mind blown * it’s no wonder they were so flavorful!

Chilaquiles are one of my Top Favorite Foods (I have lots of lists). They are essentially tortilla chips sauteed in red or green sauce, topped with queso fresco, drizzled with crema, and sprinkled with white onion and cilantro. The chilaquiles were a really fun addition to the plate; I found myself putting some beans and a chunk of meat on each chip and eating it that way, instead of wrapping it all in a tortilla.

The arrachera though, I’m not sure how to describe it while avoiding cliches. You can tell how good a piece of meat will be while you cut it, especially a lean piece like a skirt or flank steak. This piece was a joy to cut; my serrated standard restaurant knife cut against the grain easily and without argument. The texture was a dream; there wasn’t a lot of thickness to the meat, but it was tender and moist, definitely cooked to the medium rare I had ordered. The flavor was a departure from what I expected; it had a brightness that is very hard to describe, a sweetness almost like pineapple. Citrus is typical in a flank steak marinade, but this was unusual. I had to ask our waiter what was in the marinade, to which he replied, “Um, some beer, some Johnny’s seasoning salt, and…some beer…”. I boiled that down to “magic. It is marinated in magic.” It was added to my Favorite Steak list.

Now that I have waxed poetic about our meals, I will relinquish your attention so you can visit Los Novillos yourself. Los Novillos is now in my Top Ten Favorite Mexican Restaurants, I hope they make it onto your list, too.

Los Novillos Family Mexican Restaurant
4131 Rucker Ave
Everett, WA 98203
(425) 252-3320