I've been reprimanded and I need to correct something. But I still don't think I'm completely wrong.
I wrote last week that the new Mexicano Bar & Grill at Central Texas Marketplace would be opening on May 31. That's the grand opening, but the restaurant launched with a soft opening late last week. So I sort of got that not quite right.
Also, I've been informed by my friend Isabella that my tone was unnecessarily negative. Isabella works near the new Mexican food restaurant and was excited about it opening. So my lack of enthusiasm about the new place, which I felt because of its proximity to one restaurant that I really enjoy (Chuy's) and another where I've scarcely ever dined (Don Carlos), disappointed her.
I attempted to make it up to her by going to lunch there today. Or maybe she was attempting to convince me. I'm not sure.
Whichever the case, Isabella convinced me of Mexicano Bar & Grill's greatest asset, which is its location. I showed up early and as I waited for her to arrive, I watched car after car drive along the entrance road to Waco's largest outdoor mall. The place has traffic on its side.
Additionally, Isabella was able to entertain me with conversation right up until a couple of minutes before she was expected at work. That's another location perk.
But here's the part where I'm still kind of correct. The food was good. The restaurant was clean. The service was friendly. But will I choose to eat there over El Crucero, Leal's, Mi Tequila, Ninfa's or Chuy's? No.
If I'm having my morning coffee at Starbucks, less than a two-minute walk from Mexicano Bar & Grill, it would still seem more appealing to drive 10 minutes to El Crucero for an Oso burrito.
Though I concede that if Isabella wanted to have lunch at Mexicano Bar & Grill, I would probably be in.
