Ganzo's

I've dropped behind on writing up my lunch date experiences, but yesterday was pretty good. Ganzo's in Davenport (3923 N. Brady) serves up a good Mexican menu, and more cheaply than some of the more popular competition. I've yet to try Azteca, Los Agaves, or La Flama, and I made the decision to take my sweetie here based on the menu and prices. Let me explain.

First, the main menu items across Mexican restaurants are pretty similar, so prices were a bit of an issue. Ganzo's charges a little less, probably because they are a little off the beaten path, away from some of your bigger shopping areas and downtown. Second, Ganzo's was the only place that had menudo on the menu. I'm not personally a big fan of menudo, but my rationale is that if they have the "guts" (pun intended) to put it on the menu, then maybe they know what they're doing.
I wasn't disappointed. Their menu has changed from their current online menu and my sweetie got something like a "mini chura" or something like that. Basically, it was a burrito without the refried beans. It wasn't too exciting, but the meat was at least well-seasoned. I got the Ganzo #4 lunch special (tamale and 2 beef enchiladas). This was very good. The tamale was done right (I've been places where they just bring you out a cornmeal tube with almost no meat in it). It came wrapped in its husk; the masa was moist, and the shredded pork was tasty. The enchiladas were very good, and the sauce was slightly thickened, so it didn't run all over everything on the plate.
They also have a lunch taco bar, if you're the sort that's in a hurry at lunch, or in case you're just really flippin hungry. 

Rudy's Tacos

This week's date was to Rudy's Tacos, 2214 E. 11th St., Davenport. Rudy's has several locations around the Quad Cities, and to my knowledge it is not a national or regional chain beyond the QCA, but I could be wrong. Hopefully I don't end up like the poor 85 year old lady who published a rave review of Olive Garden in the Grand Forks (ND) Herald.
Rudy's is OK. You're not going to be blown away by the flavors, freshness or authenticity here, but you'll get a decent-tasting meal. The food is what I like to call "Gringo Mexican", which is to say that it has a standard menu of what Americans think Mexican food should be. The upside to Gringo Mexican is that my dining companion loves it, and that makes it worth the drive. I had the "Super Burrito", which is one of my favorites at such establishments. I would have liked it to have a little more spice, a little more flavor in general, and a little less cheese. That's right, less cheese.
Jane had the Chimichanga, which I tasted. It was a decent chimi, but nothing to do backflips over - a big, fat, fried burrito.
All in all, we'll probably revisit Rudy's the next time one of us has a craving for generic, not-quite-authentic Mexican food, and as with every week's lunch date, the best part of the trip is the company.