Located in the heart of Eagle River, this locally owned Mexican restaurant has authentic regionally…read moreMexican food.
Ambiance - 4.25 Stars the building is modern, open, and airy. It has two floors and an outside patio with a lot of tables, booths, chairs, and benches. It has a full service bar with a decent selections for your vocations and they make Mocktails too.
The 1st floor is the main dining area and to the outdoor patio. If it is sunny and warm, I highly encourage you to sit outside to soak up the Alaskan "rays". There are three different areas with fireplaces for additional warmth in the cooler days.
The Mexican decorations are tastefully done and some of the art have been made by some of the employees. There is a wooden metal horse made with driftwood and light tin. As you walk upstairs, a beautiful mural is hand painted by a local artist.
Also, there is an elevator for people who can't use the stairs; a wonderful addition.
Staff: 4 Stars
The staff were friendly, professional, respectful and helpful. We were greeted and seated to our tables. Our server assisted our large group of 8. We arrived after 1:30 and were seated in area where it was a tight because one family member is disabled and has an electric wheelchair. The staff were very accommodating and were able to created our table seating environment.
Food: 4 Stars
As mentioned earlier, this restaurant curates authentic regional Mexican food. You can actually taste the spices, proteins, fresh veggies and the freshly made salsa. There are too many Mexican restaurants that accommodates our "American" preference when it comes to seasoning or "bland" flavors and the food doesn't taste great. Or it covered in queso. The chefs / cooks here, are doing a wonderful job in bringing the real Mexican flavor back. Mucho gracias!
Now for the food:
1. Chicken Chipotle Bowl: 4 Stars - $27.00 - a blend of chipotle and spices with grilled chicken, bacon, onions and bell peppers, over our home style rice, beans and three flour tortillas.
2. Lunch Portion - Carne Asada Tacos (2) $18.50 - large corn tortilla filled with carne asada (beef), red onions, pickled onions, and cilantro. Comes rice and beans. The beef was juicy, seasoned well, and flavorful. The corn tortilla is slight cook with oil to make them slightly malleable to hold the amount of beef and items. The frijoles (beans) weren't truly puree so you can taste some of the chunky beans. The rice was good and not overcooked.
3. Lunch Portion - Chicken Flautas. (2) $16.00 with rice and beans. The frijoles (beans) weren't truly purée and you can taste the beans. The two large Flautas were filled with chicken and deep fried tortilla were crispy. The chicken flavorful and tender. You taste the seasoned chicken.
4. Amazing Tacos - 4.5 Stars $24.00 Grilled steak and chorizo on five mini corn tortillas with grilled onions, raw onions, cilantro and fresh lime. Does not come with rice and beans. Additional $6 charge for it. So a $30 dish. Pretty expensive.
5. Steak and Chicken Fajita Combo
$28.99. 4 Stars.
It is a sizzling skillet with onions, and bell and or sweet peppers. Three flour tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, lime wedges and sour cream is provided.
6. Carne Asada Burrito - 4.25 Stars $19.99
A flour tortilla filed with grilled steak, rice, and cheese. Covered in green sauce and guacamole. Beans and rice is a $6 extra. This burrito is pretty large. It was plated on the largest plate especially when you add the beans and rice. The burrito with then salsa verde was flavored and seasoned really well. Be ready to unbuckle a notch or two on the pants. You may need to be rolled out.
Desserts: We shared the following.
1. Flan - 3.75 Stars - A really good Mexican flan. You can taste the Mexican vanilla bean and custard were cooked well and evenly. Sweeter than the Churros. Served w whipped cream and fruit.
2. Churros - 4 Stars - The freshly made churros were fried and covered in cinnamon, sugar, and served w dollop of fruit and whipped cream.
3. Fried Ice Cream - 3.75 Stars
The sweetest of the desserts we tasted. A large helping of vanilla ice cream rolled in crushed cornflakes, then deep fried. It was covered with a raspberry jelly syrup and served in a flour tortilla shell drizzled with honey.
All were good and the range in sweetness.
Price: 3.25 Stars - it is at a higher end at this restaurant. Be prepare to spend some $$. Also, don't ask for extra chips and salsa, unless you are ready pay an extra $6 after the 1st complimentary bowl of chips and salsa.
I highly recommend this place and if you can't make it to Eagle River, which you need to, there is another location on Old Seward in Anchorage.
Enjoy!
