Let Your Tastebuds Visit Vera Cruz

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Jose's Mexican Cantina

Finding a restuarant serving Mexican cuisine isn't hard to do anymore, nearly every town has one.

But if you're hoping to find one that strives to offer a more upscale take on Oaxacan and traditional Mexican recipes, try Warren's Jose's Mexican Cantina. The menu lists such exotic-sounding specialties as Camarones Oaxaqueños and Chuleta Adobada, but you can still find tacos, burritos and enchiladas--Enchiladas de Jaiba (crabmeat) or Del Mar (shrimp and crabmeat), but enchiladas nonetheless.

Such delicious combinations mix well with Jose's delicious sauces, such as the Monterey sauce or the popular molé sauce.

The meats are always seasoned just right, and cooked to perfection, and tortillas are fresh.

The true test for a Mexican restauarant is the sauce served with chips before ordering: will it be too watery? Too much vinegar? Too hot to taste? Will the chips taste fresh? Jose's passes the "chips test" easily, with a mild-to-medium red sauce on the table that's just the right blend.

And while you wait for dinner, enjoy the authentic Mexican folk art adorning the walls. Diego Rivera would be comfortable sitting among the workers and women painted on the walls, while little touches like two peasant puppets and Mayan wall plaques add to the authenticity.

The staff is helpful without being intrusive, and patient if you decide to try out your Spanish when ordering.

It's this attention to the details, whether in decorating or in cooking, that have built the business up to include two locations (the other one is in New Providence) and why the restaurants have been Zagat rated.

Signature dish: Tacos Al Carbon. Sizzling fajitas, served with your choice of chicken breast or filet mignon (Warning: if a neighboring table orders the filet mignon, be prepared for a very strong urge to change your order if you didn't order the same.)

Jose's Mexican Cantina, Warren

Address: 125 Washington Valley Road, Warren

Phone: 732-563-0480

Price: $$