**INITIAL REVIEW**
El Amate, a new traditional Mexican food restaurant located on the southside of Palm Bay West, has been on my "To Go" list ever since I ever seen it open up not too long ago. Given the fact I frequent many of the businesses in this plaza, especially on the same side as El Amate (Kalea Kava House, Planet Fitness Palm Bay, etc.), I am constantly reminded to try their food.
Eventually, I pulled the trigger and ordered my first meal from El Amate. And just from the two dishes I got, I am literally amazed how good it is. There are some pitiful gripes that I honestly don't have a problem with, but I am sure someone else will take notice especially with what I said earlier on El Amate being traditional Mexican.
For starters, El Amate is in the space that used to be an Italian restaurant for the longest time. The owners did a fantastic job adjusting the space to fit a more classic Mexican restaurant from the 80s or early 90s, with desert colors and "Remember the Alamo" architecture feels. The entire floor has been opened up for maximum capacity with a smaller bar for single patrons.
At times, there might be a bad, sewage smell which they do their best to control. I must stress that is an issue all the businesses on the southside of Palm Bay West have in that long building. I smelled it in Luna Dayz, Rita's, Kalea, and Planet Fitness. The building owner is doing bare minimum to nothing to improve on it, and all those businesses need to rally together and get the city involved.
I got take-out in which El Amate made my food, post-haste. I ordered the El Amate Nachos and the Enchilada Super de Pollo. I must stress that I think they got my order wrong and gave me the Enchiladas Trio, but ultimately, the food was very delicious. Spiced well and cooked in a way I thoroughly enjoyed. And I also want to say that El Amante does have traditional Mexican food, but they did take American taste into account, too. That is probably why they use cheese blends and sour cream in certain dishes.
Overall, I spent about $30 which is normal pricing for food like this these days. And since it was takeout, I did not expect any fanfare on how it looks in a styrofoam container. The food was organized so nothing bled into another, and once again I must stress: delicious.
For the initial review, I will give El Amate four-out-of-five stars. The ambiance is classic, the food is great with an understandable price, and the staff were very kind. Now depending on who you get, you will have someone who can keep up with you or you might struggle if you don't speak Spanish, which should be a second language for anyone living in Florida if I say so myself.
If El Amate remains consistent with their food, service, and ambiance, I will grant them their fifth star for consistency in an updated review. read more