This Mexican family-owned restaurant opened its doors a couple of weeks ago in exactly the same location where El Rio Mexican Grill had once been. I never had the opportunity to visit the prior establishment, but as soon as I found out that this one was open, I went to try it out.
El Sinaloense Mexican Restaurant is located in the Hunting Hills Shopping Center, in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in the same Plaza where Kohl's is located on Franklin Road. After I went to Kohl's to return an item that I had bought in Amazon, I saw its temporary restaurant's sign made from vinyl (a budget friendly material that is used while the permanent sign is being made) on the building, on the space high above the entrance to the building where this establishment is now located. The colorful sign read: "EL SINALOENSE MEXICAN GRILL & CANTINA." Afterwards when I got home I searched for and discovered an advertisement online that read: "Available Retaill Space & Restaurant Space for Lease Hunting Hills."
With the convenience of having a Strip Mall large parking lot and a fenced in, covered outside patio, up front for outdoor dining, which was reflected on the large glass window and door entrance, I entered the restaurant. It had large tile floors and a simple decor with gigantic framed old yellowish black & white photographs of Mexican history. The furniture consisted of some booths and some comfortable tables and chairs made of wood which looked a little run down but one didn't know if it was of age or just built in the interior design to make it look like this and give character to the place.
The wife of the owner of the restaurant served as its host and warmly greeted me at the Host's station and asked me what seating arrangements did I prefer. After I told her that a booth would be fine, she allowed me to pick the booth of my choice and have a seat there with the menu. Not long afterwards a server assistant brought me Tortilla Chips with Salsa and my server came up to my table to take my order. I ordered a lemonade to drink. And for my main course, Burritos Roqueta, which were two pork burritos served with cheese on top and pico de gallo and a side of rice. Their prices were very reasonable. This dish only cost me $14.00, but I ordered it because I love pork, which Mexican call carnitas in their menus.
When the food arrived, it looked wonderful, and tasted even better. The well marinated small pieces of pork inside the burritos were extremely tasty, and the thick tortilla held them together, while the melted cheese on top gave this dish even more flavor. The rice had just the right color, consistency, and flavor, and the pico de gallo was made to perfection. For dessert I had the Chorro Cup, and it was like no other that I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant. Inside a nest made of Churros, it had cream vanilla ice-cream, topped with cinnamon, sugar, honey, whipped cream, and to top it off, colorful sprinkles and a special type of cherry. I invite the readers of my review to look at my photographs accompanying this review and see for yourselves, since a picture is worth a thousand words. Before I paid the bill and left, I visited the restroom and walked through the bar, which was called "Cantina," and was in a separate room with a dining area as well.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this family-owned Mexican Restaurant. What at first may seem to have been a typical Mexican restaurant located at a Shopping Center, turned out to be a delightful Mexican restaurant, with amazing food and extraordinary customer service. read more