I came so close to cutting this category this year. Seattleites seem

I came so close to cutting this category this year. Seattleites seem to be fairly united in their declaration that our city doesn’t exactly kill it when it comes to Mexican food. Fonda La Catrina doesn’t dazzle me, but it gets enough right oftener than its competitors to keep me coming back. Take the mole, for instance: It really is spot-on (and I’ve been to Oaxaca for the real deal). It’s not too sweet, and has a wonderfully bold (just a tad bitter) chocolate/ancho/cumin/anise profile and a subtly spicy finish. And their enchilada verde isn’t overly smothered in green sauce. Plus they have options for the more adventurous eater, like “lengua” (tongue) and an interesting assortment of “tortas,” Mexican grilled sandwiches featuring various meats served on “pan bolillo,” with mayo, black beans, avocado, tomato, chipotle sauce, and a side of serrano coleslaw. Extra props for the outdoor seating with an excellent view of planes almost grazing the treetops as they come in for a landing at the nearby Boeing Field.