Did Someone Say Mexican: A Dining Experience to Remember

Ambiance

While some may discount the ambiance of an eating establishment, I have found that it can greatly enhance or distract from the dining experience. I greatly enjoyed the light background music and the authentic Mexican décor on the walls. Each of the waiters I saw was of Mexican descent and spoke with Mexican accents. We had adequate privacy in our booth but there were some tables grouped together in the middle of the floor that might not afford privacy to their occupants. At some point during our meal, a live Mariachi band began playing and traveled around the dining area. I felt as if we were having the same dining experience that we might have if we were in a family operated restaurant across the border.

5 out of 5 stars for Ambiance

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is a very important factor in choosing a dining establishment. If the management does not think it important to ensure that public areas are clean, we might assume they extend that same philosophy to the kitchen. The first thing I wanted to observe upon entering the facility was whether it appeared to be clean. The floors seemed to be clean but they are concrete so it was not possible to tell for sure. As I looked across the dining area there did not seem to be any empty tables with dirty dishes. Before I was seated, I ventured into the bathroom and found it to be very untidy. There was toilet paper on the floor in most of the stalls, the sole trashcan was overflowing with dirty hand towels, and the sink was covered with soapy water puddles. The room smelled of a sickly, sweet, floral scent mixed with rotten fish. I was not impressed at this point and thought that it would not be a good precursor for the rest of the evening. I hoped I could overcome the memory of that smell before it was time to eat my meal.

3 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Service

Service is a very important aspect of any dining experience. The wait staff can make or break a restaurant because they sometimes the only face of the business to its patrons. Although the restaurant was quite busy, we were seated promptly. Almost immediately, a server appeared at the table with a free appetizer of chips and salsa, he took our drink orders and delivered them promptly, and then asked if we were ready to proceed with ordering our food. The tantalizing scent of fajitas frying on a skillet was coming from the booth next to us and my stomach began grumbling with hunger. While we were eating, our waiter frequently came back to check our drinks and to ask if we needed anything. The service was impeccable. He was not overbearing or intruding; he was there right at the times we needed him.

5 out of 5 stars for service

Quality and Presentation of Food

Quality and presentation of food at a restaurant are perhaps the most important aspect of dining out. After all, it is the main reason we go to restaurants. During my dining experience, I made sure to take note of food quality and its presentation. The salsa had an awesome flavor. It was a nice juicy red in color that made me believe it was freshly made with vine-ripened tomatoes. It was infused with many other spices and vegetables that created an incredible depth of flavor. When the server brought the cheese dip, I could hardly wait to grab a chip and sink into it because of its delectable aroma. It did not disappoint; the consistency was smooth and creamy while the taste was as delectable as its aroma. The only downfall to the salsa and cheese dip was the chips. They were tough and hard to chew as if they might be stale. The chips were too hard and hurt my gums while trying to eat them. Fortunately, my entrée came before I became too disillusioned. I could smell the sweet onion, spicy peppers, and marinated steak that Oscar had described so perfectly as soon as it was set in front of me. The burrito was covered in cheese sauce and a sprinkling of pico de gallo with a side dish of Mexican rice. I took my knife and began cutting into the burrito; the filling began to spill out. I scooped up the first bite and placed it in my mouth. I felt as though I had entered into Heaven because the taste was amazing. The onions simply melted in my mouth. The steak was perfectly seasoned and grilled to tender perfection. With the next bite, I encountered some green pepper chunks; they added the perfect crunch. This dish was an amazing Mexican twist on a Philly cheese steak. The side of rice was as delicious as the burrito. I decided to put some of it inside the tortilla. This gave the dish a completely new texture, which I loved very much. The food I sampled was astounding. I will most definitely be returning so that I can try other menu selections.

5 out of 5 stars for quality and presentation of food.