El Paraiso Mexican Grill

I was recently in Everett at dinner time and stumbled upon El Pariaso Mexican Grill. I was initially a little skeptical about vegetarian options at a "grill" but a quick glance at the menu calmed my fears and excited my appetite.

While we waited for a table, the host encouraged us to go over to a corner of the restaurant that was occupied by a little old Mexican woman cranking out fresh hot tortillas. In an unexpected and totally awesome move, she pulled two off the hot griddle and slathered them in butter and fresh salsa, rolled them up and handed them to us. Off to a great start!

Goodness gracious the fresh tortillas were delicious

The next excellent move was the presentation of the hot tortilla chips with good homemade salsa AND a dish of refried beans. We were giddy with pleasure and surprise.

The vegetarian portion of the menu was varied and had nearly a dozen options on it. I was stoked to have the unusual (for a vegetarian) dilemma of having to choose between multiple excellent looking dishes. I ended up getting a combo that included a Gordita (also called Sope), an extra thick corn patty covered in beans and other delicious toppings, and a spinach enchilada in tomatillo sauce.

The Sope was outstanding. I've had versions of these in the past that were pretty lame due to an excessively greasy deep fried flavor, but the sope at El Paraiso was just a thick version of their super fresh, super delicious tortillas. The spinach enchilada, also made with the fresh tortillas, was fantastic as well.

This style of non-region specific Mexican food can really be hit or miss, and El Paraiso is really a hit. Everything that came our way was super delicious and fresh, and all of the tortilla based dishes especially really shone.

It's also worth mentioning that the wait staff is exceptionally friendly, seamless and fast. So good in fact that I felt compelled to tip way over normal just they were doing their job so well.

Great place!

Pho on Broadway

The recent tiny explosion of summer inspired a trip up to Jetty Island in Everett for some kite surfing (him) and beach walking and kayaking around (me). Have you heard of Jetty Island??? Check it out. I don't tend to spend much time in Everett, but am stoked to report that there is at least one cheap, good eating option there with multiple vegetarian choices: Pho on Broadway. Excellent news for after Jetty dining!

Started off with a dip into the dining room fridge stocked with a nice selection of beers, both familiar and not.

The vegetarian part of the menu had a selection of the usual sort of miscellaneous Asian options... stir frys, Vegetarian Pho, etc, and one that stood out more than the others on a Vietnamese menu: curried vegetables and tofu, which I gambled on and was delighted with.

To begin with, the plate was beautiful in a bygone days type of way... there were four garnishes, a radish rose, a tulip carrot, orange slices, and basil leaves (all of which I eventually ate), the silver wear laid across the plate in a careful way, and the soft tofu (you can request it soft instead of fried) was arranged atop a big pile of soft white rice and perfectly steamed vegetables in a delicious, not too salty, not too spicy, not too oily curry sauce with a liberal sprinkling of crushed peanuts crowning the whole thing. I was thrilled at how good this was.

As we wrapped up our dinner, the very friendly waiter (owner?) brought out some unexpected creampuffs to top it all off.
It is always exciting to discover a vegetarian friendly place where you aren't expecting one, and even more exciting to find one with and actively delicious an unexpected dish. Yay!

Pho on Broadway
(425) 304-0879

Everett
1820 Broadway
Everett, WA 98201