I finally made the drive to Casa Centro in Springfield and had mixed feelings about a few dishes…read more
We sat outside on a beautiful day, which made for a pleasant dining experience. Our server was very nice and personable throughout the meal. He did forget to bring silverware and napkins for the appetizers, so we had to ask for them, but otherwise the service was friendly.
We started with the chips, salsa, and queso. The chips were fresh, crisp, and not overly salty. The salsa tasted fresh and homemade, and the queso had a nice kick that kept me coming back for more.
I also tried the street corn. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite item. It tasted more like corn that had been poured straight from a can rather than fresh roasted street corn.
The birria empanadas were good, with a crispy shell and flavorful filling. The sauce served with them was delicious. My only surprise was that I expected the cheese, onion, and cilantro to be inside the empanadas, but most of those toppings were served on the plate instead.
For my entrée, I ordered the bowl with half chicken and half shrimp. The shrimp was the star of the dish. It had a nice crispy coating, was seasoned well, and had great flavor. The chicken was a little under-seasoned in comparison, but the portions were generous and they definitely didn't skimp on the protein.
My dining companion ordered the California Burrito. The presentation was impressive, and it was definitely a substantial portion. However, we were surprised to find green beans inside, which wasn't something either of us expected in a California Burrito.
Overall, the restaurant was clean, the portions were generous, and there were definitely some highlights. The fresh salsa, queso, shrimp, empanada sauce, and portion sizes stood out the most for me. While a couple of dishes missed the mark for my personal taste, I'd be willing to return and try some of the tacos or other menu items.
Rating: 3.5/5