A Family Affair

The Pitch

Mostly known as a hub for ristorantes, pizzerias and trattorias, Montreal's Little Italy also houses a bunch of non-Italian neighborhood eateries.  One example of this diversity is Salvadoran fixture La Carreta, which I have sampled a couple times over the last decade.

Seeing as how my wife hails from the Central American republic and our last visit dates back to before the birth of our two kids, the time felt right for a return on this late-summer Friday evening.

The Mood

An organic neighborhood feel naturally involves families and children, as was the case tonight; the dining room and small streetside patio held moderately-sized gatherings enjoying the last minutes of daylight.

Alas for my party, we were relegated to the desolate, dark and lifeless mezzanine section – even though the front didn't seem THAT full – which almost felt like a detention room!

tagged:  BRING THE KIDS

The Food

A seemingly Pan-Latin menu peppered with common continental staples – burritos, enchiladas, tamales – also features notable Salvadoran specialties such as fried yucca and pupusas.

The latter – thick handmade cornflour tortillas – come stuffed with a choice of filling and are best enjoyed with the provided salsa roja – mellow tomato sauce – and curtido – fermented cabbage relish.

Flavors are more subdued than ones typical of other Latin American nations.  Expect hearty, maize-based fare that is very easy on the wallet.  Three-dollar-pupusas?  ˇSi seńor!

Starter

Starter

$6

$6

Yuca Frita

"fried yuca chips"

Starter

Starter

$9

$9

Platano con Crema y Frijoles

"plantain, sour cream, beans"

Main

Main

$9.50

$9.50

Sopa de Mondongo

"tripe and vegetable soup"

Main

Main

$3

$3

Pupusa de Pollo con Queso

"chicken & cheese pupusa"

Dessert

Dessert

$2.50

$2.50

Churro con Dulce de Leche

"caramel sauce-stuffed churro"

Dessert

Dessert

$6

$6

Nuegados de Yuca

"yuca flour doughnuts, house syrup"

tagged:  BUDGET-FRIENDLY

The Service

Our motherly Portuguese waitress was well versed in Spanish and did her best to make us feel at home despite our disappointment with the bleak room in which we were seated.

Although the menu clearly separated starters from mains, pacing was rather all over the place; plates arrived randomly in incoherent batches separated by long pauses on occasion.

The Verdict

Tonight we set out seeking a quiet, casual meal among friends and children.  La Carreta's relaxed vibe, affordable prices and comforting food combine for just that; making it a reliable neighborhood standby.

Granted the interior is starting to feel dated, the food can use a smidgen of zing and the service may lack structure; this pupuseria still holds a dear place in my half-Salvadoran family's heart.

tagged:  PLAN B.

Price per person:  $13.75