We were in Watsonville for a tournament and were looking for a place to have dinner. We had heard…read moregreat things about Jalisco and were excited to give it a try.
The restaurant is located in a beautiful traditional building with a lot of character. I really enjoyed the ambiance and decor, which created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even though the restaurant was busy, they were able to seat us right away.
The menu was extensive, offering a wide variety of options. We started with the complimentary chips and salsa, which were both good. The salsa had a nice flavor, and the chips were fresh. We also ordered the nachos as an appetizer.
For our entrees, I ordered Combo Plate #6, which included a chile verde burrito, a cheese enchilada, and a carne asada taco. We also ordered a carne asada taco plate with a cheese enchilada and a chimichanga.
When the food arrived, the presentation was impressive, and the portions were very generous. Unfortunately, this is where our experience started to decline. The rice and beans were good, but the chile verde burrito was quite dry. The pork lacked tenderness and was overcooked. The cheese enchilada was decent, though not particularly memorable.
The carne asada taco was also disappointing. While the tortilla was excellent and the meat was well-seasoned, the steak itself was very fatty and undercooked. In fact, no one at our table was able to finish their steak tacos because of the quality of the meat.
The chimichanga was another letdown. It arrived covered in sauce like a wet burrito, which eliminated the crispy texture you would expect from a chimichanga. As a result, it became soggy and still somehow tasted dry inside.
The highlight of the meal was definitely the nachos--simple, flavorful, and enjoyable. The service was also very good. Our server was attentive, regularly refilling our drinks and bringing additional chips without us having to ask.
Overall, we really wanted to love this place because the atmosphere and service were excellent. Unfortunately, the food fell short of our expectations. I probably wouldn't return for dinner, but I would consider stopping by for happy hour, some nachos or appetizers, and to enjoy the ambiance.