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If you can sum up the willpower to hold on to your stomach past classic temptations like Potbelly’s, Chipotle and Jamba Juice as you peruse State Street, Madison’s busiest and most famed retail stretch, you will come across 341 State St., otherwise known as the home of Mexican restaurant Casa de Lara.

Inside, the hostess will usher you to your seat amid wall decorations, statuettes and paintings on a backdrop of earthy tones and bright colors reminiscent of a Mexican village. If you are lucky, you will be seated in the front section, where second story windows give a good view of the street activity below. While the loud cooking noises in the back section are a little annoying, it’s an ideal spot if you are one who likes to call upon the staff often. Assistance is always on hand, as waitstaff can be found passing back and forth past the area to the register and the kitchen.

This is not Chipotle, and you starving college kids might want to consider leaving your Badger sweatpants at home (opt for jeans and a nice shirt instead).

The drink selection is formidable and features mostly colorful and tropical mixed drinks. Being 18, I can’t testify to the quality of these. Their virgin raspberry margarita didn’t hold a whole lot of promise for the real thing, though — the ice separated from the liquid pretty quickly, rapidly thinning out the flavor.

As for food, dishes to choose from include a wide array of Mexican cuisine, including fajitas, tacos, burritos, salads, soups, appetizers and a dessert menu. The Nopalito salad is a truly unique blend of shredded lettuce, black olives, tomatoes, onions, optional grilled chicken, pork or shrimp, and a unique, tangy base of Nopal (prickly pear cactus). Be willing to pay extra if you want an authentic Mexican salad dressing to go with it, though — the default is an entirely American-inspired cup of ranch. If you’re looking for a chimichanga-type meal, the Adelita is a tasty option. It consists of a fried flour tortilla topped with melted cheddar cheese, green and black olives, shredded lettuce, chopped up green onions, fresh green peppers and your choice of shredded chicken, shredded beef or ground beef. Meat lovers should opt for the shrimp or shredded chicken — the grilled meats tend to be tough and dry. The fajita wrap or original fajita is probably one’s best bet for a good meal. The tortillas hold together well, and it is hard to beat a skillet full of fresh fajita ingredients as it sizzles its way to your table. As a general rule, it is best to stay away from meat dishes. The full-flavored vegetables, fresh salsas, gooey cheeses and grilled tortillas are a positive reflection of Casa de Lara’s authentic home cooking. The meats, however, leave something to be desired. Their texture is tough and the flavor is dry, and they are best ordered in small amounts (if at all) and drizzled with the restaurant’s special spicy chipotle ranch sauce or topped with the fresh corn and black bean salsa.

The moderate Casa de Lara makes it a good stop for a quick dinner, especially if you want to get a good view of State Street. But the thin, limp quality of the dishes and the impatience of the staff there left something to be desired. If you are looking for solid, authentic Mexican food and a friendly, engaging staff, there are better restaurants to be had.
2 1/2 stars out of 5