69 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

OMG...another Mexican restaurant......there's about 40 too many IMO. Too many restaurants and fast food in fact which I feel contributes to why so many fail. What are we at a 1:1 ratio now of people to restaurants? Being facetious, but would like to see the number of restaurants scaled back.

Does anyone know if the over-saturation of failed businesses, in general, hurt the local economy rather than just having fewer stronger businesses? Do you think if we limit the amount of certain businesses, we wouldn't have so many empty buildings/lots taking up space? Are we losing revenue that way? Just a thought.

We cannot prevent more restaurants from opening. I believe it is called 'unfair restraint of trade.'

People have the right to open restaurants and see if they can be successful. We can't bar them from doing so so that the other restaurants survive.

[kellismom]

We cannot prevent more restaurants from opening. I believe it is called 'unfair restraint of trade.'

People have the right to open restaurants and see if they can be successful. We can't bar them from doing so so that the other restaurants survive.

[quote name='eVader' date='May 19 2010, 02:30 PM
The market will determine if there is too much of a particular restaurant or business. And while quality\value\service normally dictate success vs. failure, there are exceptions to that rule, Hacienda.

Personally I am all for any business opening up and providing jobs.

********************

Steve, thanks for the info. I do not know the rules, but given the history of business here over the last couple of years, I would have hesitated if I wanted to open a business. Especially in areas that are over-saturated.

eVader, yes I agree. I just hope this restaurant succeeds.

thanks

[carnivore]

Yum sounds good.

So did they have chips and salsa served while you waited for your food?

Yes, there was a basket of chips and a spicy (by my standards) salsa served almost immediately after I sat down. I must also mention that I prefer to sit at the bar if one is available. That is my personal preference though, it might not work for others... But I am confident that you will enjoy the same service and food that I was able to experience..

[Sandman]

Are there any Mexican places that don't do this? (I guess you have to self serve at some taquerias...)

Yes Chipotle does not have a salsa bar.

[mylo]

Yes Chipotle does not have a salsa bar.

Chipotle is not a Mexican place.

[Steve Heard]

I popped by last night for a margi and some chips. The busboy asked me if I wanted to try the green salsa 'es mor caliente'. It was great! My wife thinks the have minced napoles in there.

[folsom500]

I popped by last night for a margi and some chips. The busboy asked me if I wanted to try the green salsa 'es mor caliente'. It was great! My wife thinks the have minced napoles in there.

What are Napoles ? Google cant figure it out

[mylo]

What are Napoles ? Google cant figure it out

I think he meant Nopales:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nopal

[Steve Heard]

I think he meant Nopales:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nopal

Si, 'nopales'.

Gracias

[bordercolliefan]

We tried it tonight.

Pros:

--Love the decor -- bright and cheery, sunflowers are cool.
--Service is extremely attentive
--Chips were hot and delicious
--Owner was present and personally supervising operations.

Cons:

--Prices are high for a Mexican restaurant. Most basic entrees (e.g., burritos) are in the $11-$14 range. I believe that is higher than, say, Felipes, which I think is more like $8-10. Both Hubby and I were immediately struck by the prices.

--The Mariachi band was WAY too loud, with several strings and a TRUMPET. There is a reason most restaurants do not have trumpets playing 2 feet from a diner's table. The musicians were talented and fun, but the trumpet has to go.

--Food was average for a sit-down Mexican restaurant. Hubby said his chili Colorado burrito was mostly filled with refried beans. My chicken enchiladas were tasty, but the kids and I were all off-put by the beans on our plate, which had a different texture and color than at most places -- pale and almost pureed.

Quite honestly, if I wanted a burrito, I would probably save the $$ and go to Dos Coyotes, Fiesta, or the one by the movie theatres. If I wanted sit-down Mexican, I'd go to Felipes. So, while I hope this restaurant does all right, because it is clearly a nice family operation, I'm not sure it will have a place on our family's "regular" restaurant rotation.

[john]

We went tonight, I had the carne asada, I thought it was outstanding! The decor was cool, I liked the sunflowers. Wait staff was extremely attentive; we got chips and salsa (good salsa, too) immediately. Food was great IMO.

I did think the price was a bit high though - $35 for the two of us.

[bordercolliefan]

I did think the price was a bit high though - $35 for the two of us.

With alcohol, or without?

Yeah, we don't go out for expensive dinners; we generally look to pay about $25-28 if it's just Hubby and me.

[john]

i had a soda and i think she had water...

[marianna]

Ate there last night and enjoyed the meal. As soon as we sat down chips and salsa were on the table. Chips were still hot from the oven and salsa was tasty. There was an insert in the menu that advertised an appetizer and 2 entrees for $20 but not all entrees were included.
For that price we ended up with a nacho appetizer, a cheese enchilada dinner as well as a steak fajita dinner. Both dinners came with rice and beans. A great deal!


All in all a great meal with very attentive wait staff.

[carnivore]

I agree with Marianna, that is a very good deal considering the quality and quantity of food you get there. Shoot, even their rice and beans are very good.... a sign of a very good Mexican joint.. I mean even La Rosa Blanca charges $9.85 for a bowl of Pozole. Now, who in their right mind would pay that for a bowl of soup? hopefully no one I know... hehe