First Bite: Fiesta Mexicana
We sat in a booth beneath a bright mural of a flamenco dancer and a trio of mariachi singers**. Curiously, the painted woman appeared to be an amputee, because amid her flourish of ruffled skirts she stood on but a single leg. While I can overlook that, I can not let details of dinner service pass.
To say our server was brusque would be kind. His exchanges with us began with a few, clipped words and quickly eroded from there. When I asked for a few extra minutes for me to select an entrée, the waiter seemed terse and....well, impatient. When D left the table briefly, the man came by, saw our empty basket and inquired, "Chips?", to which I replied, "Yes." Then it was, "Drink?" to see if I wished to have mine topped off. "Yes, please", quickly followed by "Salsa?". It was as if someone had demanded that his communication be only one or two syllables. He was attentive, but the whole night was like this. Very staccato, peppered queries.
Despite this, our meal was excellent. Guacamole ($3) was outstanding. Our chips arrived with a small saucer and a stingy smear of what we both assumed to be melted cheese. I thought maybe it was a promotion given to patrons in hopes of boosting their queso sales. One bite and it become patently evident that it was not queso. Nope. We inquired what the vile stuff was and the waiter chuffed, "Ranch." Ranch dressing? What in Heaven's name for? *sigh* I can't fathom anyone putting ranch on their chips and certainly not this stuff that tasted as if it had been poured from a big, long forgotten cafeteria vat.
Ranch aside, my Pollo Yucatan ($10.75) was delicious. Perfectly seasoned and grilled achiote chicken with a medley of sautéed vegetables, Spanish rice, guacamole salad and flour tortillas. D had chicken blanketed in a smoky-sweet habanero sauce ($9.50). Portions were generous and neither of us could finish our meal.
What we liked: Dining area and bathrooms are well maintained. If you can get beyond the icy temperament of the waiters, you can enjoy some authentic Mexican fare at reasonable prices. Menu varies by location, but includes dishes like caldo tialpeño (spicy chicken soup), lengua (braised beef tongue) and nopales ensalada (cactus salad). Prices are reasonable and coupons are available on their website and through mailings. Seems as if there were a few vegetarian selections too.
975 Town Center Blvd, Clayton
919-550-8888
** Check this group out.
_____________________________________________________________
Related posts:
* First Bite: El Sombrero, Smithfield
* First Bite: Crazy Taco, Smithfield
* La Cocina #2, Smithfeld
* Festejos Bar and Grill, Clayton
* Festejos, Subsequent Trip
* Chubby's Taco, Raleigh
* Benji's Taqueria, Pinebluff
To say our server was brusque would be kind. His exchanges with us began with a few, clipped words and quickly eroded from there. When I asked for a few extra minutes for me to select an entrée, the waiter seemed terse and....well, impatient. When D left the table briefly, the man came by, saw our empty basket and inquired, "Chips?", to which I replied, "Yes." Then it was, "Drink?" to see if I wished to have mine topped off. "Yes, please", quickly followed by "Salsa?". It was as if someone had demanded that his communication be only one or two syllables. He was attentive, but the whole night was like this. Very staccato, peppered queries.
Despite this, our meal was excellent. Guacamole ($3) was outstanding. Our chips arrived with a small saucer and a stingy smear of what we both assumed to be melted cheese. I thought maybe it was a promotion given to patrons in hopes of boosting their queso sales. One bite and it become patently evident that it was not queso. Nope. We inquired what the vile stuff was and the waiter chuffed, "Ranch." Ranch dressing? What in Heaven's name for? *sigh* I can't fathom anyone putting ranch on their chips and certainly not this stuff that tasted as if it had been poured from a big, long forgotten cafeteria vat.
Ranch aside, my Pollo Yucatan ($10.75) was delicious. Perfectly seasoned and grilled achiote chicken with a medley of sautéed vegetables, Spanish rice, guacamole salad and flour tortillas. D had chicken blanketed in a smoky-sweet habanero sauce ($9.50). Portions were generous and neither of us could finish our meal.
What we liked: Dining area and bathrooms are well maintained. If you can get beyond the icy temperament of the waiters, you can enjoy some authentic Mexican fare at reasonable prices. Menu varies by location, but includes dishes like caldo tialpeño (spicy chicken soup), lengua (braised beef tongue) and nopales ensalada (cactus salad). Prices are reasonable and coupons are available on their website and through mailings. Seems as if there were a few vegetarian selections too.
975 Town Center Blvd, Clayton
919-550-8888
** Check this group out.
_____________________________________________________________
Related posts:
* First Bite: El Sombrero, Smithfield
* First Bite: Crazy Taco, Smithfield
* La Cocina #2, Smithfeld
* Festejos Bar and Grill, Clayton
* Festejos, Subsequent Trip
* Chubby's Taco, Raleigh
* Benji's Taqueria, Pinebluff