THE ATMOSPHERE: I was surprised by the rather large crowd around 5:30 p.m. on a Monday. We were greeted by the smell and sound of fajitas – a welcome treat to my senses that had been dulled while sitting behind a computer for the last 9 hours of the day. The restaurant is surprisingly spacious, and able to accommodate several large parties. The plus to this is that you didn't feel like you were invading anyone's space (or vice versa). The décor was a familiar theme you see in most Mexican restaurants – sombreros and serape blankets adorned the walls. The lighting was dim, but the feeling was welcoming and warm.
STARTERS: The chips and salsa arrived before we had a chance to take off our coats. The chips were freshly salted and warm to the touch, served with a generous portion of fresh salsa. It was spicy and caught me a bit off guard – I admit I'm somewhat of a lightweight when it comes to heat. The rest of my party enjoyed the salsa, and I thought my dad might just drink it at one point during the dinner. I asked the waiter if perhaps they had a "junior" version, one with a little less punch. He sweetly stated that it was all one batch and the cook had a heavy hand today.
DRINKS: The Monday evening special was a margarita for $2.50 (a generous portion for the price), along with some domestic beers. I was pleasantly surprised by the bar offerings – beyond traditional margaritas, they had a good selection of Mexican beers beyond Dos Equis and Corona, wines, mixed drinks and a homemade sangria.
EXTRAS: To go with the drinks, I ordered some Chori-queso, which is creamy cheese mixed with Mexican chorizo. It was served with warm flour tortillas, and was large enough for five of us to sample. This was more my speed – the spices of the chorizo were strong but not overpowering with heat. It was thick and full of peppers, onions and chorizo – it could have honestly been a meal by itself with the flour tortilla.
THE FOOD: The menu was very diverse, and I'd say that even the pickiest eater could find something to eat. There were chicken, pork, beef and seafood dishes, a la carte options and generous vegetarian offerings. There were a few American favorites for those who came to enjoy the company but not the food.
For those of us who can’t make up their mind between a taco or an enchilada, there were combination dinners aplenty. I opted for a combo platter that allowed me to have both. A side note: I’m unable to eat rice and made a few other requests about my meal. The waiter was more than happy to accommodate. The food is made to order, and the staff is willing to go the extra mile for their diners.
Sadly, none of my party went too wild and crazy with their choices. I hoped one of us would order the fajitas so I could taste what I could hear and smell, and secretly wished one of us would order the Burrito California, filled with steak, chicken, onions and beans and topped with crumbled chorizo, chunks of pineapple and grilled shrimp, smothered in cheese sauce.
My mother made a surprising choice of the Enchiladas Acapulco, the house specialty of three grilled chicken enchiladas with nacho sauce, salsa verde, pico de gallo, sour cream and pineapple. The citrus of the pineapple paired nicely with the salsa’s heat and looked amazing. The enchiladas were made with corn tortillas, and I have to admit that until I tried the enchilada this evening, I typically preferred ones made with flour tortillas. My aunt had the Fiesta Burrito, noting that the guacamole on top of it tasted as good as it looked.
THE VERDICT: The portions were huge, and not one of us was able to finish our meal. A couple could easily share one of the entrees. It would also be great to share with children, to introduce them to different tastes. Everyone in our party had lunch for the following day, thanks to the leftovers.
Prices were very reasonable, even for dishes made for a party of two (the Fajita Vallarta – scallops, shrimp, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and tomatoes and served with rice and a choice of black or refried beans – was $24.50). The restaurant advertises frequently, and we all found special offers in coupon magazines.
I will be back – looking forward to my next trip to Acapulco!
Want to go?
WHAT: Acapulco Mexican Restaurant
WHERE: 88 Xenia Towne Square, Xenia
INFO: 937-374-0582
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