Del Fuego and Arana Heat Up The Mexican Scene, T-Fitz Finds The Chinese New Wave in Kenner

This week Ian McNulty reviews Del Fuego Taqueria, an affordable Uptown favorite from Cali native/chef David Wright, since opening earlier this summer: "The menu can answer some baseline cravings" for burritos and cheese dips, "though you can follow it deeper into the fundamentals of regional Mexican flavors,"  finding housemade tortilla chips, a rich mole over duck enchiladas, surprisingly good desserts, and a three page list of tequilas, which along with  ample outdoor seating, all make this a great spot to eat right now. [Advocate]

Arana Taqueria y Cantina [Photo: Brasted]

Sarah Baird also heads to an Uptown taqueria this week, newly opened Arana, also home to more "diverse Mexican options" but especially the must-order tortas: "The restaurant is one of a handful of Uptown spots that serve the decadent Mexican-style sandwiches. Using crunchy, oval-shaped loaves of traditional bolillo bread, smears of crema, thick black bean spread and avocado with a snowy sprinkle of Cotija cheese, the tortas are sloppy and big enough to rival the messiest po-boy." [Gambit]

Little Chinatown, 3800 Williams Blvd [Photo: Facebook]

This week Tom Fitzmorris doles out THREE STARS to the best of the Chinese "new wave" Little Chinatown in Kenner. Located in an unassuming former Pizza Hut in a "hot spot for the kind of ethnic eating" on Williams Boulevard, the restaurant boasts "about a hundred dishes, about a third of which will likely be new to you unless you're Chinese," though the strangely familiar Chicken Lettuce Wrap and Potstickers top T-Fitz's Essential Dishes, with salt roasted squid coming in at #9 (the number of love potion, or in this case, calamari). Clay pots and congee are a must order, but T-Fitz seemed to steer away from the pork intestines. +2 hipness points because it's the "real deal." [CityBusiness, sub req]