Andale: The Art of Doing So Much With So Little

It's easy to say the Spanish word Andale after enjoying any plate of food at this Mexican restaurant. The word expresses satisfaction. That's exactly the feeling that you'll get when you finish eating any of their specialties. 

Overview: When thinking about Mexican food, you realize that it is a cuisine of true simplicity, with most of its flavors hinging on the masterful combination of chilies. provides a budget-friendly dining option for those seeking a little more spice in their life. Not quite fast food and not quite slow, the best way to describe this type of eating is upscale, cafeteria-style Mexican dining. There was a time when cafeteria dining dominated the South and parts of the Midwest, and now it seems it's found its place in downtown Los Gatos. Andale buzzes with activity as patrons come to enjoy the subtle favors obtained by manipulating various chilies, cumin and coriander. The menu features classic Mexican offerings with a selection of daily specials. Andale provides all items to go, so you can pop in and grab a bite to enjoy in the comfort of your home.

Décor: After entering the brightly colored front, you can eat in the lovely quiet rear patio while you enjoy Latin music playing in the background, or you can eat inside the restaurant where table dining is more in line with a cafeteria venue.

Drinks: Andale offers Aguas Frescas ($2.50), which are refreshing fruit and water infusions in various flavors like watermelon and mango. Another unique and delicious drink is Horchata ($2.50) a rice beverage with vanilla and cinnamon, which is yummy. There are also the standard fountain drinks ($2), which are refillable. There's also wine offered by the glass ranging in price from $6-$12. Domestic and imported beers are also available at ($3.75) and ($4.50), respectively; Modelo, Sierra Nevada and Dos Equis are offered on draft ($4.95 and $8.75). Yet this food cries out for the right kind of beverage, and the margarita is the perfect pairing. Made with house or premium tequila, the blends start at $8 and can get more expensive, depending on what you like.

Appetizers: There are not many appetizers, but they can double as a meal for those with small appetites. The Guacamole, Salsa and Chips ($5.75); Taquitos Dorados ($7.95), crispy corn tortillas rolled with guaijilo chicken served with salsa verde or chile arbol salsa topped with sour cream, romaine and queso cotija; Flautas ($7.95) guaijilo chicken or vegetables rolled in flour tortillas fried and covered with guacamole, salsa fresca romaine and sour cream; and Carne Asada Nachos ($8.75) can be filling.

Entrées: The food at Andale is greatly influenced by recipes originating in San Jose de Gracia in central Mexico, but many  of the dishes can be found in some variation throughout Mexico, such as Tacos Mexicanos ($8.75) ; Crispy Tacos ($8.75); Baja Fish Tacos ($9.75) Chipotle Shrimp Tacos ($9.75); Quesadilla Suprema ($8.95) Quesadilla de Hongos ($8.95); Shrimp Quesadilla ($9.95). Andale's menu has quite a lot of burritos with a great variation of fillings like the Maya Burrito ($8.95); Burrito Chipotle ($9.75); El Presidente Burrito ($9.95); Baja Fish Burrito ($9.95); Shrimp Burrito ($9.95); Andale Burrito ($8.95); Supreme Burrito ($9.75); Mesquite Grilled Veggie Burrito ($8.75); and Vegetarian Burrito ($8.25). Carnitas ($10.75), which is slow braised pork served with pinto beans, rice, guacamole, salsa fresca and corn tortillas is specific to central Mexico and one of the house specials. Other house specials are the Chile Verde ($9.95), which is carnitas in chile verde or a green tomatillo sauce; Fresh Grilled Fajitas ($10.75); and Tortas ($9.75), Mexican sandwiches with chicken, carnitas, carne asada, al pastor, or vegetables. Finally, there are the "Two Items" ($11.95) entrees with your choice of an enchilada, Chile Relleno, Soft Tacos, Crispy Tacos, or Tamal served with rice and beans. These are the typical items that you will find on most Mexican restaurant menus. There is also Oven Roasted Chicken ($8.75 and $10.95) served with vegetables, Spanish rice, salsa ranchera, and corn tortillas.

Sides: The sides include soup and salads; however, they can be eaten as main dishes, because they are hearty. For example, the Tostada Salad ($8.95), which is a crispy tortilla shell filled with  guajillo chicken, lettuce, pinto beans, guacamole, salsa fresca and sour cream; or the Mesquite Chicken Salad ($8.95), which is romaine lettuce topped with mesquite chicken, goat cheese, avocado, tomato and covered with roasted garlic vinaigrette and the Sopa de Tortilla ($5.75) is enough to complete a meal.

Dessert: There is a single dessert offering, which is flan ($3.95), a traditional Spanish/Mexican caramel custard.

Service: Andale’s offers counter service, where you step up to the line and place your order. You receive a number that will identify you to the wait staff who will deliver your meal. This person is also responsible for making sure that your refillable glass never gets empty. In these tasks there is no fail.  

Signature Dish: The Camarones al Ajillo ($12.95), Mexican style jumbo shrimp sautéed in butter, served on a bed of guacamole with pinto beans, rice and corn tortillas.

• Andale
• 21 No. Santa Cruz Ave.
• Chef: Ignacio Flores
• Cost: $10-$35