Let’s begin by saying that if you’re on a diet this is not the place to go for dinner. However, if you just want a great meal with a Mexican flavor, you’re in for a treat at Juanita’s. Located at the corner of Old Liverpool Road and Pearl Street, the building has formerly been a Ponderosa and a Chinese buffet, but we’re hoping Juanita’s is here to stay in its new suburban location.
The room was full when we arrived early on a Saturday evening. The terra cotta walls with some Mexican accents invited us to our booth; but the hard, unpadded wooden benches were less inviting. The tables, a bit small for four diners, have padded chairs. Our waiter seemed fairly uninterested in our dinner experience, but we got the information we needed by overhearing the waitress at the table behind us.
We began the evening with two pints of Dos Equis Amber on draft ($4 each). There are several Mexican and American beers available as well as bar drinks like margaritas – which looked great. There is always a nightly $5 drink special.
We were disappointed not to be served the usual chips and salsa even though we later heard the waitress say that they were complimentary. We ordered chips and guacamole ($5.95 on the menu though we were charged $3.95). The large homemade chips were expectedly crisp, but also very tasty. The guacamole was not at all spicy, but very good. Most of the dishes are not spicy, though we’re sure that a word to the kitchen could heat things up. We also ordered a half order of nachos with “the works” ($5.95). We expected a small plate to share, but a large dinner platter filled with a small mountain of chips slathered with beans, beef, jalapenos and cheese was presented with sides of salsa, sour cream and guacamole. It was so delicious with all the flavors harmoniously blending together, that we ate the whole thing. We wondered if, for the sake of journalistic integrity, we could possibly eat any more.
We decided to skip the dinner combination platters which include salad, beans and rice, and opted instead for the entrees which include only some salad. We again overheard that any of the entrees could be combined into a platter. The menu includes the usual fare of tacos, enchiladas, flautas and burritos but none of the more authentic Mexican delicacies such as moles. All platters are priced in the $10 price range.
He had the Chorizo quesadilla ($6.50) which was an oval dish filled with two large beautifully toasted quesadillas filled with sausage and sauce and cheese. It was delicious, spicy but not overwhelming…yet so flavorful that he didn’t even add hot sauce. She had the bean and cheese burrito ($4.95) which was served on the same oval plate filled with a large burrito, which was not spicy. Juanita’s universal accompaniment is shredded lettuce ever so lightly dressed with oil and vinegar and topped with queso. The lettuce sits next to and on top of all the entrees and cools the palette. As with all the food at Juanita’s, the food remains simple but is wonderful on the tongue.
Dinner including three draft beers, two appetizers and two entrees came to $36 plus tip. There are coupons for weekday dining, but we couldn’t use them on Saturday. This is one of the great dining bargains in the area, so try it!
May
05
Juanita's sizzles in the kitchen
Betty and Richard Wiese 05/05/09
CATEGORY: General Business