Eat-N-Write is the Daily’s weekly food review column, written by two college students, Paul Kix and Tim Paluch, on the lookout for affordable meals under $10. Despite what they may write, they are not actual food critics and their culinary expertise is little to none. All restaurants reviewed are local, non-chain establishments.

Paul’s from a wealthy family. And by wealthy, we mean Anna-Nicole-Smith-after-a-Club-Med mixer wealthy. He summers at his family’s vacation estate. It’s a little south of here . Lots of sun . You may have heard of it: Mexico.

Last summer Paul was banished from Mexico. Note to tourists: Do not attempt to honor the Aztec sun god Huitzilopochli at the steps of the Great Temple. The people of Mexico have outgrown human sacrifice.

Yet Paul still loves Mexican cuisine. And Tim still does whatever Paul tells him to. So Friday afternoon, the two went to Cazador, 127 Dotson Dr., for authentic Mexican food. And possibly tequila.

Restaurant Atmosphere

Tim: The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into Cazador is the hundreds of Polaroids lining the top of the walls. They go around the entire perimeter of the restaurant and feature customers wearing sombreros at their tables. The rest of the restaurant appears quite authentic, although I wouldn’t know authentic Mexican d‚cor if it came to my apartment and cooked me an enchilada.

Paul: There are eighteen tables in the place and by 12:30, many were empty. Maybe we missed the noon rush. Song after Spanish song came from the back room near the kitchen. I thought I heard the introduction to “Ring of Fire” five times while we waited for food, but it turns out, like Tim’s eye for Spanish aesthetics, I have a similar ear for its music.

Tim: The look of Cazador puts the other “Mexican” restaurants in Ames to shame. The murals and the paintings on the walls, coupled with the subtle Mexican background music, makes Cazador a treat even before the food arrives. Thumbs up for me.

Paul: What Tim, you’re not partial to the stucco on the wall, spilled Pepsi on the floor and Matchbox 20 on the radio found at Taco Bell either?

The only thing that beat Cazador’s d‚cor is its service. And its food. Thumbs up.

Service

Tim: We were seated within seconds, and within another few seconds, we had water and menus. While the waiters don’t speak to you much, or look at you much, they’re fast and efficient.

Paul: Tim smells. That’s why the waiters kept their noses in their chests. The menu is extensive, like “I’ll have a number 84” extensive. And munching chips while deciding makes the decision itself all the more difficult.

Tim: If I smelled that afternoon, it was from the exhaust and motor oil fumes coming from inside Paul’s car. It’s an ’84 Camaro – rust in color – beat up worse than Paul’s TV after an extra-inning Cubs loss.

While we waited for the food to arrive, Paul and I had our fair share of chips. Romantic Mexican music playing in the background, our eyes met. I think we were thinking the same thing. My eyes said “Shall we dance the forbidden dance of love?”

Paul: Mine said “Pass the chips.” But I could not resist the red dress Tim wore. I rose from the table. So did Tim. Our hands interlocked, suddenly, in the aisle; the lambada became us. You should have seen it. I lead Tim better than Elway inside two minutes and the Broncos down five.

But as I dipped him, our food arrived. Tim fell to the floor. I ate my refried beans.

Tim: Physically bruised from the fall, and emotionally scarred because of unrequited love, I made my way back to our table. The food arrived within minutes, flaming hot. Amazing service. Thumbs up for me.

Paul: Normally I have time to eat a plate of chips and dance before the food comes. Not this time. Thumbs up.

Food Quality

Tim: It’s hard to choose from a menu with well over 100 dishes, all with some combination of meat, cheese and tortillas. I decided on Combination No. 5 – one enchilada, one taco and one tamale. Beef, not chicken. For $7.

In an attempt to show off to Paul, I ordered my meal in what I assumed was the perfect Spanish I remembered from high school. Perfect it was not. I thought I said “Give me a No. 5 with beef,” but the waiter slapped me in the face and vowed revenge upon my family. Apparently I had told him his mother was a goat and his wife’s teeth were crooked. We cleared up the mistake and I got my actual meal.

Paul: I had a Chile Relleno, tostada and enchilada – a No. 14. And you can drink the water at Cazador’s. That’s what I had. $7.50 total.

The meal itself, and the Chile Relleno in particular, I had never tried before.

Tim: I began my meal with the tamale, which was surprisingly full of hearty portions of shredded beef. Real beef here at Cazador. It was superb, not a bit dry, which will ruin an otherwise good tamale. The enchilada and taco were equally good, and with the touch of hot sauce I added, had just enough kick. To top it off, they serve the entr‚e with rice and beans, which compliment the meal well. Because of all the chips and salsa I ate earlier, I didn’t get through all the rice. A meal will fill most people.

Paul: My meal came on a plate big enough to nap on once the food’s polished off. The beef enchilada came with a red sauce made hotter and better by the tabasco sitting nearby. The Chile Relleno is actually an omelet with a pepper inside. It was good in a brunch sort of way. Underneath the tostada – think a taco shell laid flat and filled with refried beans, lettuce, cheese and probably some beef – was the rice I noticed earlier was missing.

But now, it was like the meal that wouldn’t end. Until, sadly, it did.

Tim: Cazador did not disappoint. Good food, great service and enough room in the aisles to waltz with Paul while waiting for your food. Does it get any better? Thumbs up for me.

Paul: One thing forgotten: The chips are great, authentic and greasy enough to leave some on your fingertips. The salsa accompanying it works too. But that’s if you need it. Great place, Cazador’s. Thumbs up.