El Mariachi: Mexican With a Guatemalan Flavor
'J.G. Dining Reviews'
El Mariachi Mexican and Chapin Restaurant, one of the newer Mexican restaurants in Clay County, has an extensive menu and a friendly staff, making it a win for the area.
I visited El Mariachi on a late Friday afternoon with a fellow restaurant enthusiast, Shannon. The outside looked modest. The inside decor was bright and colorful. The atmosphere was quiet, with soft music in the background. There were approximately 20 tables. The room was nearly empty when we were seated but by the time we left, several families were dining.
We started with beverages. As sweet tea aficionados, we always ask about the quality of the sweet tea. We were told the tea had a lemon flavor and they were correct. I am not fond of lemon in my tea so I ordered a strawberry margarita. It was very good, with a fruity taste. I didn't detect any alcohol, my favorite kind of mixed drink.
Chips and salsa came quickly and we also ordered queso. We could see the seasonings in the salsa and had a complexity which was pleasing. The queso was tasty.
Ordering was a challenge as the menu was large and the options, plentiful. “Chapin” is a slang term for Guatemalan person, and the restaurant mentions having a Mexican and Guatemalan flavor “dancing together harmoniously.”
The menu I decided on chicken fajitas and Shannon, carne asada. The meals came quickly. The carne asade was lean and juicy, accompanied by a small Mexican salad, rice, and refried beans. The beans had a few lumps of whole beans which I enjoyed. The chicken fajitas were in a nice sized hot skillet and also came with Mexican salad, rice, and refried beans. The fajitas tasted as expected, good but nothing extraordinary.
Our server was nice, helpful, and attentive. You know the servers that drop off food and are MIA for 20 minutes? Not this young lady. I found that to be a refreshing change.
Overall, El Mariachi joins the increasing number of Mexican restaurants in Clay County. The prices were in line with other restaurants in the area. As a fan of Mexican food, I found the restaurant to be a nice addition and have added it to my roster.
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