Along Howell Township, you will find this Mexican restaurant within this gas station. I have been…read morewanting to go there ever since discovering that chicken mascot a while ago.
Brand: 5/5
El Buen Taco and Grill fits within this gas station in Howell Township, and I will say that it fits well, for it contains so much potential. It manages to evoke the Mexican restaurant vibe, which would not have been effective if it did not bring me there in the first place. Inside, you will find many aspects of Mexican cuisine everywhere, from the beverages to the candies to the menu dishes.
I did like the brochure design, though I am not sure if the establishment is undergoing a name change. I am going to miss the chicken mascot if it does.
Website: 5/5
Coming to the opening page immediately sold me on this establishment, for you are greeted with the chicken mascot during the loading screen. The red-and-green color scheme exemplifies the website, and the functionality of the website feels slick with a few exceptions. You are also brought to the description of the eatery, along with the menu that brings you various meals, from breakfast to lunch, though the images at at the bottom of the page. They also offer catering.
Wait Time: 5/5
I did not have to worry about waiting for my order, even though I abruptly said "No" when asked if I needed anything else with my order, just to search around.
Ambiance: 4/5
The Mexican music plays over the radio with a welcoming volume. You will also find a coffee machine. There are also glass counters showing the various dishes. While every part of the interior seemed festive, I did not find a place to sit at.
Food: 5/5
I ordered the Huevos a la Mexicana, which consists of scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes, hot peppers, rice, beans, sides of hot sauce and green sauce, and a couple of rolls, with a Bocadin chocolate bar. Every part of the dish had a well-prepared texture, from the rolls to the ingredients. The rolls held their form every time I added the ingredients. While I did think onions had some crunchy texture, I nonetheless enjoyed the scrambled eggs, while the rice had the right amount of seasoning. For more than one year, I have been trying to keep up my bean intake, but I never would have thought that beans could be prepared so savory as the ones in this dish. That just might be my most favorite part of the dish, with the gravy somehow adding to the taste with every bite, whether eaten by themselves or within the rolls.
Service: 5/5
The owner managed to take my order without any issues.
Worth The Money?: 5/5
The authentic Mexican cuisine absolutely reflects El Buen's brand, from the website to the very plastic container with my order. While I did get my order on time and the food was appropriately cooked for the time it took, I did think that the establishment would have needed more people working there, even if it was a small, gas station eatery.
After a day of snow, I will say that the Huevos a la Mexicana managed to warm and fill me up throughout the day, and the owner put a lot of work into it. The greatest contribution food can give you is if it gives you a positive feeling throughout the day. The dish managed to do that, despite a winter day or even no place to sit at inside. Nonetheless, the ambiance did not dissuade me from waiting patiently. If anything, it accurately reflected the overall brand.
My order did come with a free soda or water, which I politely declined both offers. In which case, I will absolutely say that the order was well worth it.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Small eateries that have large amounts of good tastes give me hope, and El Buen is no exception. This establishment has so much potential. I would consider it a third choice for Mexican cuisine, but I would always want to try more of the menu items.
Recommend To...
Anyone looking to immerse themselves with Mexican cuisine and treats (of course, specifically anyone looking to brush up their Spanish language knowledge). I also recommend El Buen to anyone who works on the road and need a quick, filling meal.
