Finding authentic Mexican food in Tex-Mex country is a challenge. But tips from several neighborhood residents made it easy for me. At their urging, I tried Mexico Lindo, located on Gaston at Garland (in the shopping center anchored by Blockbuster Video).
This neighborhood spot serves excellent, authentic Mexican dishes – many featuring fresh seafood – as well as the standard Tex-Mex favorites. The menu features more than 86 items, not including side orders, children’s plates and lunch specials.
Plowing through the menu takes some time, and the wait staff answers questions best in Spanish (although they understand English). Fortunately, the numbered menu items include thorough descriptions. Order by number if you’re afraid of a communication gap.
After munching on chips and hot sauce (green and red), my friend and I shared Tostado de Camaron (shrimp tostado, $3.25). This appetizer included chopped shrimp and avocado with lime juice atop a crisp, fried tortilla. The tender shrimp tasted sweet and fresh. The tostado was a nice light beginning to a meal destined for heavy entrees.
Given the extensive seafood menu, we felt compelled to try something from the ocean. Our eyes wandered past enticing selections such as whole catfish or red snapper, prepared five different ways.
We settled on a dish we’d never seen before – a seafood chile relleno ($10.95). It was a large, roasted poblano pepper, generously stuffed with chopped, grilled shrimp, snapper, catfish, and octopus (don’t flinch until you try it their way).
The spicy pepper came smothered in a mild cheese sauce that didn’t mask the smoky grilled flavor of the seafood nuggets. We were so consumed with eating this dish that we ignored the rice and salad attractively presented beside it.
Enchiladas Verdes de Pollo (green chicken enchiladas, $5.25) was a budget feast: three plump enchiladas blanketed in a tangy tomatillo sauce served with rice and beans. For the same price, you can order it filled with cheese or beef.
Beef fajitas ($10.95 and enough for two) arrived sizzling with nearly caramelized onion and bell pepper slices. Although sides of guacamole, beans and rice accompanied the fajitas, the marinated beef was tasty enough to eat ungarnished.
We were tempted to order flan for dessert ($2), but couldn’t find room for another bite. Instead we shared a glass of Tamarindo ($1), a sweet, refreshing (non-alcoholic) drink made from a fruit grown in Mexico. It was a treat, especially since few Mexican restaurants offer this authentic cooler.
Our only disappointment was that the restaurant was nearly empty on a Thursday at 8 p.m. – a shocker to us since we’d dined like kings amidst handsome, squeaky-clean surroundings.
The owners, Ruth and Miguel Sales, have operated the restaurant for one year and also co-own Los Arcos on Colombia Avenue. We were told that business picks up on weekends. Still, we couldn’t help but worry that our new find needed more customers to pay the rent.
So the next time a Mexican food craving strikes, check out Mexico Lindo. And bring the kids – the restaurant welcomes families.
Mexico Lindo is located at 7324 Gaston, Suite 319. Call 319-9776 for information.
