Boulder's Bar & Grill

Located at 2758 NC 68 Suite 103 in the Heron Village shopping center in High Point, Boulder’s Bar & Grill serves pub fare. It is open from 11-9 Tuesday-Sunday and closed Monday. Outdoor seating on a dog-friendly patio and online ordering (via Toast) are available.

Named for the owners’ late Yellow Lab, Boulder’s features a canine motif throughout. This, the establishment’s cleanliness, and a few intriguing menu options help distinguish it from the average sports bar despite the requisite noise and screens. As a newcomer to High Point, it’s off to a good start, albeit with room for improvement.

Boulder’s is seat yourself, and between the dining room, the bar, and the patio, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to. The menu offers the wings, apps, and burgers that you’d expect as well as a few pleasant surprises. They offer several variations of a fancy grilled cheese, grouper in a sandwich or in fried bites, and a surprising number of salads.

For our first visit, my wife and I went with a pretzel app and then the pimento bacon burger and the meatloaf sandwich, respectively. Overall, the food was satisfying if unremarkable. The soft pretzels were in sticks rather than twists, and they came with a pair of dipping sauces: a mustard (OK) and a queso (tasty, with a nice green chili kick). The meatloaf sandwich was simple – meatloaf, ketchup, and Swiss on sourdough – though it made for a deceptively filling meal. While the meatloaf was seasoned well (savory with just a hint of sweet), the “spicy” ketchup didn’t deliver any heat. I went with onion rings for my side, and they were crisp and nicely battered. The burger was good if a bit of a mess to try to eat.

New restaurants often need a little time to get the hang of service, but that wasn’t the case here. Our server was on top of things, and the kitchen turned around food fairly promptly. You’ll pay in the mid-teens for a burger or a sandwich (side included) here, which isn’t unreasonable. The onion rings were a dollar upcharge and well worth it, but a dollar to swap the burger’s onions for pickles seemed excessive.

Boulder’s has potential, and I’m curious to see what kind of specials they come up with when they are further established. In the meantime, it’s a solid option if you want a lively atmosphere.

Miam Breakfast House

Located at 4005 Precision Way in High Point (with another location in Winston-Salem), MiamBreakfast House serves diner fare from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Online ordering is available through DoorDash and Uber Eats. 

The name is French (it means “Yum”), the owner is Albanian, and the cuisine is largely American (with a few Mediterranean influences), but no matter what you call it, Miam has all the makings of a very solid breakfast/brunch option. It opened recently in the former Cagney’s location near the Palladium, a spacious building with plenty of seating. Paintings for sale by local artists adorn the walls, and the interior is bright and clean.

Miam has no shortage of breakfast options, including lighter and (very few) gluten free offerings. Amid the various permutations of eggs/meat/bread, you’ll find plenty that looks familiar (omeletes, waffles, benedicts, etc.) as well as a few dishes that set Miam apart such as blueberry hushpuppies. Miam is also one of the few places in the area to offer a Monte Cristo on the daily menu.

While this variety is definitely appreciated, some of Miam’s naming conventions are idiosyncratic to say the least. The Mexican omelet is called The Mixture, and while The Island calls to mind Hawaiian, here it’s corned beef…with brie in place of cheddar (?!). This was too much of a curiosity to pass up, so I went with the Island and home fries while my wife opted for Red, White, and Blue French Toast.

Both meals hit the spot. The French Toast, which gets its name from the strawberry/blueberry/banana topping, was served on thick bread with fresh fruit. The omelet – meat, caramelized onions, spinach, and tomatoes inside/melted brie on top – was cooked to an appealing golden brown. The corned beef seemed to be made in-house, thankfully (the canned stuff ranges from passable to revolting), and the brie added creaminess to each bite. The home fries were nothing fancy, but they were nice and crispy.

Though Miam was decently busy when we arrived, we didn’t have to wait for a table, nor was the wait for our food terribly long. Bishma provided attentive service throughout the meal though I did have to wait longer than expected for the check. Miam’s prices are slightly higher relative to Cagney’s (our dishes were $12 apiece), but you do get plenty of food for your money.

Every so often, “Where can I get a good breakfast?” makes its rounds in local social media groups, and while the same few reliable options that get trotted out each time shouldn’t be dropped, Miam should definitely be added to that conversation. 

Santorini

 

Located at 2107 Kirkwood Street in High Point, Santorini offers Greek cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday. Lunch specials are available. 

I was not pleased to see High Point Korean BBQ close its doors, and a Greek restaurant stepping into the space didn't inspire much enthusiasm. But as the signage and menu for Santorini came together, that changed. Mythos Grill was my favorite Greek restaurant when I lived in Greensboro, and Santorini is, for all intents and purposes, Mythos of High Point (they aren't affiliated, but Santorini's owner was involved with Mythos at one point).

The menu here offers everything you'd expect: gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, dolmades, moussaka, and more. You can go light with an app, sandwich, or salad, or you can pile on the carbs with a pasta dish. Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will find plenty here.

My wife swears by Mythos's avgolemono (lemon chicken soup), and so that was a no-brainer. I added a combination platter (gyro/chicken souvlaki/spanakopita) and fried zucchini to round out the take-out order. It was ready in under fifteen minutes, and the price was fairly reasonable.

The food was good across the board though it leaned more toward "reliably comforting" than outstanding. The soup was on-par with Mythos's version, the zucchini was fresh and generously portioned, and everything in the combination platter was nicely seasoned. That said, the gyro came in a slab that some might find off-putting, and the spanakopita could have been flakier.

There are plenty of places in High Point where you can get a decent-or-better gyro, falafel, or pita wrap, but if a Greek-specific craving hits, keep Santorini in mind.

Shinjuku Station

 

Located at 5835 Samet Drive in High Point’s Palladium Shopping Center, Shinjuku Station offers conveyor belt sushi and Japanese cuisine. It is open from 11 a.m. -9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11-10:30 Friday and Saturday. Sake is available.

The Triad’s first conveyor belt sushi establishment, Shinjuku Station offers a unique dining experience. That experience won’t appeal to everyone, but for those not alienated by the drawbacks, this place has quite a bit to offer.

From the faux turnstiles at the entrance to the subway map on the ceiling to the conveyor belt “tracks,” Shinjuku Station leans heavily into a train theme. Add robot waiters (fear not: there are human servers as well) and vending machines, and you’ll feel temporarily transported to another world.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the emphasis on aesthetics masks mediocre, overpriced food, but many of Shinjuku Station’s offerings hold up better than you think. While the flat fee for all-you-can-eat isn’t cheap ($28 for dinner/$18 for lunch for adults and less for kids), even if you come hungry, you can very easily get your money’s worth here. The menu boasts apps, sides, hibachi entrees, nigiri sushi, and classic and specialty rolls. You can grab whatever passes by off of the conveyer belt or use your table’s tablet to order up to five items at a time from the kitchen. My wife and I tried a variety of items and were satisfied with most. The salmon and snapper nigiri tasted fresh and the Yip Yip, Green River, and Lady Shinjuki rolls all offered a nice balance of flavors. Only the spicy salmon (not spicy) and crab rangoon (oily) were disappointing.

 

While Cha(?) provided excellent service (and gave us an assortment of sauces), the kitchen was rather slow getting our first order out. The second, thankfully, came quite a bit more quickly. As you can imagine from the ambiance, this is a lively place, and while the energy skewed toward “fun” during our visit, I can imagine it gets quite noisy here during busier times.

If you like trying new things and are willing to abide a few quirks and delays, Shinjuku Station can offer a meal you will not easily forget. It may not be the best sushi around, but it’s more than just a gimmick.

BBQ Joe's

Located at 2822 South Main Street in High Point (with another location in Trinity), BBQJoe’s serves barbecue from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Catering trays and online ordering are available, and the High Point location has a drive-thru window.

I remember trying – and liking – BBQ Joe’s not long after moving to High Point, which makes it puzzling that I haven’t been a more frequent visitor. Like most self-respecting barbecue joints, BBQ Joe’s lets the food do the talking: the dining area is strictly utilitarian. They keep busy here, but the staff are very efficient, and you won’t be waiting long for anything.

While BBQ Joe’s serves up the chopped or pulled pork that is synonymous with the Tarheel State, don’t go looking for the classic Lexington-style experience. They have a variety of sauces as well as ribs, chicken, smoked turkey, and brisket. Stop in before 11, and you can feast on a variety of biscuits.

For my most recent visit, I picked up a chopped brisket sandwich with white slaw, a side of hushpuppies, and a banana pudding. The food was prepped quickly and brought out with a smile. 

The brisket couldn’t touch what I had in Texas, but for High Point, it was definitely respectable. Though not as smokey as I would have hoped for, the meat was tender, and the sandwich held plenty of it. That said, the house Joe’s sauce runs a bit sweet, and you might want to add a dash of something spicier. While the ring-shaped hushpuppies were addictively crispy and delicious, the banana pudding rated as tasty but unremarkable.

BBQ Joe’s is a reliable option for good food and fast service. You can find better barbecue if you’re inclined to travel, but for High Point proper, this is it. 

Cagney's Kitchen

                                           

Located at 4005 Precision Way in High Point (with other locations in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Kernersville), Cagney’s Kitchen serves American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is open from 6-9 Monday-Saturday and 7-2 on Sunday. Online ordering is available via Doordash.

 

Even with a few closures in recent years, High Point has no shortage of Greek-influenced Southern diners, and that interchangeability is part of why I never felt a strong compulsion to pay Cagney’s a visit. Faced with a banana French toast craving, it seemed as good an option as any, and it proved to be better than expected.

 

Cagney’s is spacious and seemed even more so as it was largely empty when I stopped by on a Tuesday morning (they likely get considerably busier on the weekends). The menu is big too: breakfast options included plates, omelets, benedicts, pancakes, waffles, and more. Come here later in the day, and you can find everything from salads and sandwiches to Greek to Tex-Mex to pizza.

 

I opted for two pieces of Bananas Foster French Toast with a scrambled egg on the side. Service was fast and friendly, and the kitchen churned out the food quickly. At $8, it was practically a steal and though not the best I’ve had, it was better than it needed to be for that price point. The banana/brown sugar/whipped cream topping on the French toast made for a sweet bite, and the egg wasn’t overcooked.

 

I don’t know how Cagney’s rates as a lunch/dinner option or during busier times, but for a weekday breakfast, it’s well worth your consideration for a good bite at an affordable price.

Little Tokyo

Located at 4045 Premier Drive in High Point, Little Tokyo offers Japanese cuisine for lunch and dinner Monday-Friday and dinner on Saturdays (closed Sundays). Online ordering is available.

 

Sometimes, the best meals are the ones you weren’t expecting to have. My wife and I had hoped to check out a new all you can eat sushi place, but both it and the existing AYCE spot had lines out the door. After placing a call to Little Tokyo to confirm they too weren’t filled to capacity, we headed there for our sushi fix, and it made me regret not having visited sooner.

 

Little Tokyo boasts a pleasant, relaxing ambiance that made it a welcome refuge from the night’s rather intense rain. The menu here is Japanese (sushi, sashimi, hibachi, etc.) albeit with some Korean and Chinese influences. The selection of sushi rolls is extensive, and quite a few of them sounded intriguing. Admittedly, the Italian (a California roll topped with white fish, tomato sauce, and cheese) was a bridge too far even for me.

 

My wife and I came hungry and went with two apps (steamed gyoza and vegetable tempura), four rolls, and two misos. The food was, across the board, quite good. Whereas some miso can blast you with salt, Little Tokyo’s broth benefitted from an underlying richness. Our sushi was beautifully plated and tasted fresh. Of the rolls we tried, the Bulgoki (beef, crab, cucumber, and eel sauce) was my favorite.

 

Prices here are reasonable for the quality of the food (rolls in the low-mid teens, most apps under $10), and severs are polite. The kitchen isn’t lightning fast, but we didn’t find the wait unreasonable.

 

Based on ratings, I expected “good,” and based on hunger levels and a desire to be out of the rain, I would have settled for “OK.” Little Tokyo, however, ended up being surprisingly great.

Iso Iso Ramen & Boba

Located at 5835 Samet Drive at the Palladium Shopping Center in High Point, Iso Iso Ramen & Boba offers Japanese cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11-9 Sunday-Thursday and 11-10 Friday and Saturday. Online ordering is available.

 

High Point’s newest ramen spot is potentially also its best. At the very least, Iso Iso is the best equipped for dine-in. Décor is more than just functional here: the dark brick and woodwork is sleek and modern. Moreover, Iso Iso seemed to be well-staffed with folks who seemed to enjoy working there. A restaurant’s opening weeks can be stressful, and the absence of hangdog expressions or abject panic bodes well.

 

Iso Iso’s menu features Japanese apps, rice bowls, ramen, and boba teas. The latter two can be customized with add-ons and toppings. Whether you are a vegetarian or craving salty meat, like spicy or prefer mild, you should be able to find something here.

 

For our first visit, my wife and I split an order of Chashu Buns and a Tonkatsu Ramen (to which we added black garlic oil). Our food came out quickly, and the ramen was a plentiful portion. At $17, it was not the cheapest in town, but the execution made it worthwhile. The broth was rich, and flavorful, and the black garlic oil added another dimension that we didn’t realize we were missing. Toppings included pork belly, a marinated egg, mushrooms, bamboo, corn, and scallion, and they didn’t skimp on any of them. The Chashu Buns – good balance of refreshing and salty, excellent sauce – were a winning choice as well.

 

Boba/ramen/poke shops are no longer the novelty that they once were, but even in an increasingly competitive market, Iso Iso has the combination of fast and friendly service and well-executed food needed to make a name for itself. Here’s hoping it doesn’t tail off.

The PR Pantry

 

Located at 1204 Greensboro Road in High Point, The PR Pantry is a convenience store that sells homemade desserts and Puerto Rican dishes from an on-site food truck. It is open from 11-8 Tuesday-Saturday, 12-7 on Sunday (with the truck closing at 6:15), and closed Monday. Family meal deals are available, and $10-a-plate specials are offered on select days.

Not long after the PR Pantry opened over the summer, its social media was awash in tantalizing photos of candied fruit and cheesecakes. More recently, the shop added a food truck to the mix. After driving past it on a nearly daily basis, I finally got around to checking it out.

First, a caveat: this is not a Latin market. If you come here expecting one, you will be disappointed. Think of it instead as a typical corner convenience store…that happens to have an above-average homemade food selection. Inside, you’ll encounter candied fruit, cheesecake, tres leches, pasteles, and more. The truck then offers plates, apps, and sides. From arroz con gandules to pernil to mofongo, classic Puerto Rican dishes are well-accounted for. While there are a few tables outside the store, The PR Pantry is probably best suited for takeout.

I ordered a pernil sandwich with a side of arroz con gandules and an additional side of tostones before popping inside to grab a slice of vanilla tres leches. Nothing took terribly long to prepare, and the guys on the truck were personable. At $13 for the sandwich and $3.50 for an extra side, the prices were reasonable too, especially for the quantity and quality.

The food was, on average, really, really good. Served on pressed Cuban-style bread, the pernil sandwich was a bit greasy, but it was also incredibly satisfying. Tender pork met melty cheese and magic ensued. The rice was only OK, but the tostones were crisp and paired well with the accompanying pink sauce (mayoketchup). Later on, my wife and I split the tres leches, and it was incredible: rich and creamy with hints of cinnamon.

If you want filling, tasty homemade food that won’t break the bank, add The PR Pantry to your list. I regret that it took me this long to try it.

The Basil Leaf Thai & Sushi

 

Located at 2766 N.C. 68 at the Herron Village shopping center in High Point (with another location in Winston-Salem), The Basil Leaf offers Thai and Japanese cuisine for lunch (11-2:30 Tuesday through Friday and 12-3 Saturday and Sunday) and dinner (4:30-9 Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday and 4:30-9:30 Friday and Saturday). Food specials change regularly, there’s a lunch menu on weekdays, and alcohol is available.

 

High Point is home to so many Thai restaurants that even a Thai/sushi combo isn’t unique here. Amid such competition, it is hard to stand out though The Basil Leaf certainly gives it a good try.

 

Though not a large space, The Basil Leaf doesn’t lack for seating. The ambiance aims for classy without being stuffy and largely succeeds. Service was attentive throughout our meal.

 

The Basil Leaf’s menu features a variety of Japanese (appetizers, sushi, and teriyaki/hibachi entrees) and Thai (appetizers, soups, salads, curries, noodles, and more) offerings. There were no unexpected finds, but if you know the cuisine well enough to know what you want, you’ll likely find it here.

 

I had a Pad Thai craving and, my wife and I ended up going with a chicken Pad Thai, a beef pineapple fried rice, and a Crab Rangoon starter. The food was tasty (good amount of sauce on the noodles and sweetness balanced with curry notes in the fried rice), and The Basil Leaf will match your desired spice level. While the plating aims for aesthetic sophistication (i.e. carrots cut into a flower shape), serving the rice in a rectangular block was an odd touch. Both entrees were generously portioned. At $15 and $17, neither broke the bank though the prices are a bit higher than the nearest competitor.

 

All told, The Basil Leaf isn’t likely to become my favorite Thai eatery, but it is one that I would feel no qualms about coming back to. 

Taco Street

 

Located at 275 North Elm Street inside of the Stock + Grain food hall in Downtown High Point, Taco Street offers Mexican cuisine from 11-9 Monday-Saturday and 12-8 on Sunday. Catering and sangrias are available.

 

“Overpaying at Stock + Grain” is getting ready to join death and taxes among life’s certainties. Thus, the operative question shouldn’t be “Is the food overpriced?” but rather “Is the food good enough for me to not mind?” In the case of Taco Street, the food hall’s newest tenant, the answer, so far, seems to be “Maybe.”

Positives first: the menu here is commendably huge, and it boasts a few things not easily found elsewhere. As befits the name, you can get tacos with a variety of toppings: everything from pastor/fish/steak/chicken/birria to chicharrons, squash, or Hawaiian BBQ. If tacos don’t scratch your itch, there are also pastelitos, “drowned” taquitos, and pambazo sandwiches. On variety alone, Taco Street is winning.

I ordered a pair of tacos – one pastor and one mango fish – to go. At $4.50 each, they were (surprise) no value, but they were prepared quickly and delivered in the flavor department. The pastor especially was spicier than expected and very tasty. The mango fish was more subdued. Though not a disappointment, I don’t know that I’d get it again.

While High Point has an abundance of Mexican eateries, few have the street food emphasis that Taco Street does. That makes it worth investigating. Your taste buds will likely be happy even if your wallet will not.

68 Bagel & Grill

 

Located at 1116 Eastchester Drive Suite 112 in High Point, 68 Deli Bagel & Grill serves breakfasts, bagels, and sandwiches. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Online ordering is available.

 

The newest addition to Centre Stage plaza, 68 Bagel & Grill is a bit of a headscratcher. The name suggests a location further up Eastchester past the Palladium, and a more established bagel shop is less than a mile away. This bafflement aside, 68 Bagel & Grill does have several things going for it. It’s spacious and clean, the staff is courteous, and there are more menu options than you’d expect. Like the other are bagel shops, 68 offers bagels with various spreads, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch sandwiches. To those, they add French toasts (including stuffed), pancakes, and omelets. The ability to get a more-than-a-sandwich breakfast without the bustle of a diner is a definite draw. The fact that they use Giacomo’s meats is another perk in their favor.

 

For my first visit, I picked up a Jersey Shore (Taylor ham/egg/cheese) on an everything bagel to go. The sandwich was prepped quickly, and the pricing was fair. The melty cheese/salty meat combination hit all the right flavor notes. The bagel, however, was chewier and breadier than a true New York style, and the texture seemed a bit off. They make them in-house rather than using New Garden as a supplier, so they get points for effort at least.

 

If getting your hands on a great bagel is your only concern, you’re probably better served going down the street. However, if you value ambiance, customer service, variety, or aren’t seeking bagel supremacy, 68 Bagel & Grill makes for an attractive breakfast or lunch option.

Island Fest

 

Located at 130 West Lexington Avenue in Uptowne High Point, Island Fest serves Jamaican cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11-7:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 11-9 Friday and Saturday, and closed on Monday. Online ordering is available through Uber Eats.

 

While the Khrissy’s Kitchen truck makes its rounds at Brown Truck fairly regularly, High Point was without a Jamaican restaurant until Island Fest recently opened its doors. It’s a welcome addition, and while it has room to grow and improve, there’s reason enough to be hopeful.

 

Housed in the former Lone Star Burger (they kept the cow out front and adorned it with a Jamaican flag), Island Fest is geared toward takeout and quick service. Dining in is an option, and the folks here seem friendly, but you’re coming for the food, not the ambiance.

 

Speaking of the food, the offerings here aren’t as extensive as they are at Da Reggae Café, but if you have a Jamaican craving, you’ll likely find something that can satisfy it. Entrees range from jerks and curries to fried fish to brown stew beef, quick bites include various patties and coco bread, and sides cover the requisite rice and peas, cabbage, and plantains as well as mac and cheese.

 

They were out of curry shrimp when I placed my order, so I went with fried red snapper in its stead along with jerk chicken, a beef patty, and coco bread. The entrees are available in smaller and larger sizes and include rice and plantains. My wife and I were hoping to get several meals out of our order and did so for under $50. While Island Fest’s early reviews complained about portion sizes, the larger-sized entrees left no room for complaint on that end.

 

The food was a bit uneven, but there were more bright spots than disappointments. Thankfully, Island Fest does not tone itself down for mass appeal: the beef patty and jerk chicken brought a welcome bit of heat. The snapper was nicely breaded and paired well with a peppery barbecue sauce. Speaking of sauces, Island Fest lets you pick a gravy for your rice. We got to try both the curry and the oxtail gravies, and both were delicious. While the rice was a top-tier side, the cabbage and coco bread were forgettable, and the sweet plantains weren’t particularly sweet.

 

Island Fest’s early offerings are promising, and more may be on the horizon. As-is, this probably isn’t the best Jamaican food you’ve had, but the entrees and sauces can hold their own.

California Burritos

 

Located at 2107 Kirkwood Drive in High Point, California Burritos offers Mexican cuisine from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Online ordering and delivery (via DoorDash or Uber Eats) are available. Three for $9.99 tacos are offered on Tuesdays.

 

The High Point offshoot of a Burlington eatery, California Burritos calls to mind the apex version of a national chain. Like a Chipotle or a Moe’s, it offers convenient ordering and lots of customizability. However, its ingredient quality and Californian branding help set it apart.

 

Though its concept is straightforward, California Burritos offers more than its namesake. You can get a burrito with your choice of meat and fillings, but you can also get bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and even carne asada fries. The offerings extend beyond the expected beef/steak/chicken/carnitas to include birria, shrimp, and even crispy fish tacos.

 

My wife and I opted for a carnitas quesadilla and a steak burrito for pickup. I was greeted upon arrival, and my order was ready to go. Though I didn’t linger long, I can say that the restaurant seemed bright and clean. The sound of sizzling meat made me feel like I’d made a good decision.

 

Indeed, the food did not disappoint. Both items were generously sized and well put together. I got a good two-thirds of the way through the burrito before it neared collapse. The ingredients tasted fresh.

 

At $11 and $12 (before factoring in a guac upcharge), California Burritos runs a bit higher than its competition, but it’s a worthwhile tradeoff for the portion and quality of the food. It probably won’t supplant your favorite Mexican spot, but as fast casual options go, you really couldn’t ask for better.

Aqui es Mexico Cocina Mexicana

 

Located at 1800 Westchester Drive in High Point, Aqui es Mexico offers Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner. It is open from 11-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. There is a full bar, food specials change daily, and both outdoor seating and online ordering are available.

 

When Aqui es Mexico succeeded Guacamole at this location last year, one thing became clear not long thereafter: this place is different. Aqui es Mexico offers both traditional dishes not always available elsewhere as well as interesting fusion offerings such as Mexican sushi. Add to that an active social media presence and some tantalizing specials (i.e. $5 Wednesdays or half-priced app Fridays), and if nothing else, Aqui es Mexico deserves credit for trying to separate itself from the pack.

 

My wife and I visited on a Friday night to find the place busy, but given how big the restaurant is, we had no trouble getting a table. Colorful murals adorned the walls, and the atmosphere can best be described as lively. The music is loud, but unless someone is celebrating a birthday (they go all-out in recognizing that here), it isn’t overwhelming.

 

The menu is extensive, and I appreciated the page’s worth of seafood offerings. Whether you’re in the mood for the tried and true (burritos/tacos/fajitas) or want to try something different (the aforementioned sushi, several different molcajetes, more margarita variations than you knew existed), Aqi es Mexico has you covered. Hungry and eyeing leftovers, we went with an empanadas starter, carnitas, and cochinita pibil.

 

Beto provided excellent service throughout the meal, and the kitchen was impressively fast and efficient. Though it was a busy night, we got our food quickly. The pricing was moderate – entrees in the teens – and we got a good amount of food for our money.

 

For as much thought went into the menu and décor here, it’s unfortunate that the food wasn’t as impressive. Our empanadas (two beef and two chicken) looked great as they were fried to a golden brown. The beef were tasty, but the chicken were decidedly bland. The cochinita pibil was nicely sauced though not as intensely flavored as I’ve had elsewhere. Ditto the carnitas, which were appealingly crispy on the outside but underseasoned. The sides were your standard rice/beans/salad, akin to what you’d find in many Mexican restaurants in the area.

 

Because nearly everything else – service, ambiance, menu variety – was a plus here, I definitely wouldn’t rule out a return to Aqui es Mexico. Here’s hoping they can up their seasoning game.