So my wife found this location based on a Yelp recommendation. We decided to head there for dinner.
Some backstory. We're both from Southern California, and since moving to CT we find ourselves continuously searching for flavors that we know and love.
Generally I wasn't expecting much, except the other Yelp review mentioned they're from Arizona and the flavors are legitimately good.
We arrived about 6pm for dinner and were given a seat right away. The restaurant is nicely decorated with colorful chairs and paint. A large portrait of Frida Kahlo hangs in the corner, greeting everyone as they enter. The staff were quick to greet and find us a seat.
We were hungry and started with fajita nachos, which when I took my first bite, I looked at my wife and said, "these are surprisingly good." Nachos are a favorite of our son's, and generally not something I'd order, but these were tasty and had a slightly smoky flavor to them chicken that made them pop.
When our entrees arrive, I knew we had found a gem. My shrimp enchiladas had an incredible richness of flavor; topped with the tomatillo salsa, the shrimp underneath were grilled over an open flame and maintained that slight smoky flavor. The tortillas were soft, the cheese a nice rich flavor without dissolving into a pool of oil as other restaurants do. The rice on the side was quite good, but the refried beans were puréed and so smooth. I could eat those all day, as they weren't crusty and congealed, but a cream that complemented the dish.
I had to try a fish taco (Southern California, remember) and the fish was lightly battered, very bright and very crispy. No heavy batter here, no oily feeling that will slow you down. The fish was surrounded by very fresh veg and topped with a crema Mexicana that tied it all together, in a soft tortilla. A plate of three will run you about $20, I had one for I think $6.
My son had a dry chimichanga, a dish that is one of his favorites thanks to Deadpool's recommendation. He thought their version was really tasty, worthy to bring his other Deadpool-loving friends to try. He chose to fill it with pastor meat, but while the menu described it as being made with pineapple, he didn't have any and was slightly disappointed as he was looking for that flavor.
My other son, not satisfied with polishing off the chicken fajita nachos, ordered the same as a burrito, which he ate a majority of before becoming full after eating half. He's a growing kid who routinely will order two giant-sized Jersey Mike's sandwiches, eating one at dinenr, and the other for the next day's lunch. When he said he was full, I raised an eyebrow.
My wife had the pastor burrito, which with the tomatillo sauce on top, said it reminded her of a really great chili con carne.
After these amazing flavors, we had to try a dessert together, and although they had a fresh apple crumble and carrot cake, the boys hadn't yet had fried ice cream, so we got that. A scoop of cinnamon ice cream surrounded by a delicious cookie shell, with little blackberries in the orbit like tiny treasures. If I had any criticism, it would be that the dessert needed more blackberries to help with the flavor and balance.
All in all, a great meal and end to the day. Staff were very friendly and accommodating.
We'll be back soon to try some other dishes, but those shrimp enchiladas will call to me... and I might need to revisit. For Yelp purposes, of course.
Six stars if I could award them. read more