The East end the West end...if you are a LB resident you might have a favorite, but in the end it's all about the quality of the food selection you order, the service and atmosphere.
This location has that old school traditional tavern feel upon entry. Large visible bar straight ahead with plenty of screen viewing of any game I'm sure, and plenty of locals around it enjoying a good spirit.
To the right of entering it opens into tables and booths. Pretty comfy, cozy without being on top of each other. Again a TV infront and back, so you can position yourself just right if you want to keep a side eye on all the action while enjoying lunch, dinner or a late night snack.
1st star earned upfront here for atmosphere!
The server/host, bartender, bus boy were all very pleasant. Smiles are contagious and they all flashed them throughout the experience from start to finish.
2nd star earned here for customer service!
My waitress for the evening was pretty knowledgeable of the menu and highlighted some of their top sellers. So going with the grain on this first visit a Blood Orange Margarita for me, pretty darn tasty and garnished with a blood orange sphere to dress it up, Nice!
3rd star earned for a well made, balanced beverage!
*Warning it is a margarita so does come with salted rim. Next time I will remember to minus that, as to me it takes away from the flavor vs adding to it.
Add a Chicken Empanada appetizer [2] that comes with a chipotle dipping sauce and a red cabbage slaw. Credit where credit is due for not being an overly greasy, fried pocket of goodness. Exterior was crispy with that initial crunch into juicy, tender, shredded and seasoned protein, again Nice!
Chipotle dipping sauce, good true to taste spiced ranch flavoring. So if your in need or like that, dip away.
Empanadas come atop of a red cabbage slaw. I'm sure to aid in pulling any grease away, but also to give it that fun, fresh, crisp, creamy snap! Not overly vinegary or mayo, just right. Again remember its on the plate so you can eat it, not just a garnish, dive in if your heart desires.
4th star earned for well made and sized Empanada appetizer for the price!
Finally to round out the visit opted to try their BBQ chicken avocado tacos. Now I know the waitress suggested that the fish tacos were worth a try too, but for my first time in had to play it safe and see what a slightly dressed up standard taco would present as.
You get 3 tacos made on very traditional Mexican corn like tortillas that you would see/get in Mexico, so nice touch in keeping things authentic. The chicken was breaded just enough to crisp it up vs being grilled, which personally I think is most appropriate to hold those drizzles of BBQ sauce, and what appeared to be maybe a spicy mayo. Again right amount of sauce without over doing it. Add the avocado and put it atop fresh lettuce and tomato and you have one heck of a taco(s)!
These 3 perfectly sized and plattered tacos came with a side of freshly made house tortillas. Again not under or over done, just right and dried enough to not be greasy to the fingertips. Could they have added a touch of salt or seasoning, well I will leave that up to the chef and his known clientele, but if it were me that would have been a nice added touch.
So whether it's 'Taco Tuesday', or Thursday ;P or any night of the week, they got a winner here.
5th star earned for the tasty BBQ chicken avocado tacos, and a completely great experience all the way around.
If it wasn't so late when I got there, maybe I would have checked out a dessert menu. I guess I'll just have to come back to try out more of their menu and leave room for dessert!
Regardless of what might have been said in the past from others, take what a foodie of the present has to say with some value, your tastebuds will be happy! read more