"The food and atmosphere at this restaurant are quite appealing. It’s not quite home-cooked fare nor is it upscale Mexican cuisine. A glance at the menu reveals that they are aiming for broad appeal, offering dishes that most Americans typically look for in a Mexican restaurant—though I did notice a surprising absence of chicken mole.
Upon arrival, we were quickly served a complimentary basket of warm chips and salsa while we browsed the drink menu. The salsa had some flavor but lacked a spicy kick. However, they do provide three different hot sauces on the table alongside the salt and pepper, which we found helpful. Adding a bit of the green habanero sauce to the salsa gave it the extra heat and flavor we were after.
The restaurant had only been open for a few days, so it was expected to see a sign advertising a special on their margaritas—$6.99 for a jumbo size and slightly less for a regular. My wife was initially ordering a lime margarita when she inquired about sangria. The server confirmed they had it and recommended a Sangria Margarita. I went with the lime option, and I noticed that the drink menu categorized the margaritas by color—green for lime, red for pomegranate, blue for curacao, and so on. Both drinks were served in heavy, large goblets, rimmed with blue salt and on the rocks. They were decent; the sangria had a hint of sweetness while the lime had a pleasant tartness. We didn’t ask which tequila was used, but I didn’t notice much of an alcohol effect, although my wife claimed she felt it.
The menu boasts an extensive selection, with twelve seafood options and a good variety of meat and vegetarian dishes. We decided to focus on the House Specialties to get a sense of the kitchen's capabilities. I ordered the Grand Special ($10.79), which came with a chalupa, a chile relleno, an enchilada, a burrito, and a taco, alongside Spanish rice and fried beans. This dish was so substantial that it was served on two plates. It was a fantastic value for the quantity and an excellent way to sample various preparations.
The chalupa was topped with guacamole, beans, and lettuce. I would have preferred a thicker tortilla instead of a tostada as the base. While the creamy guacamole was okay, it didn’t compare to the slightly chunky version my wife makes at home. The taco was filled with a generous amount of ground beef, and it became evident that they use cinnamon in all their beef dishes. Though I enjoy cinnamon, I started to find the flavor a bit overwhelming after a while. Both the enchilada and the burrito were also stuffed with ground beef, which my wife thought had too strong a cinnamon flavor at first. The Spanish rice was average, while the fried beans were flavorful and not too runny. The chile relleno was cheese-stuffed and saltier than the other items on my plate, but it was still tasty.
My wife opted for the Guadalajara Special ($9.49), which included a tamal and two taquitos Mexicanos served atop nacho chips with cheese, chicken, rice, beans, and beef, garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole. This seemed to be the only dish on the menu featuring a tamal, which could also be ordered "a la carte." The tamal had a chicken filling and a pleasant corn flavor, though it needed the sour cream for added moisture. The taquitos are rolled tortillas that are fried and filled with either chicken or beef, but I’m not sure how they differ from the Flautas also listed in the House Specialties. The taquitos were a bit greasy while hot and became greasier by the end of the meal.
Overall, the food was satisfying enough to encourage us to return and explore more of the menu. The fish tacos sounded enticing, as did some soups and the lunch options. Our service was friendly, efficient, and attentive, and the atmosphere was quite enjoyable. Did I mention just how great the value seems to be here?"
Shrimp Enchiladas
