Mission 1 - Aqui mexican café - 1408 SE 12th Ave.
We arrived at the restaurant around 6:15pm and it was packed. Aqui is a popular place with a small dining room. They had a few magnadoodles by the front door for the kids, and kids at heart, so we were able to entertain ourselves during the wait for a table.Steven – “What should I draw?”
Will – “Draw a picture of puppy and kitty kissing each other.”
* steven drawing *
Steven – “What next?”
Will – “Three of the tacos that I’m going to eat tonight”
* steven drawing *
etc.
After we were seated, we perused the menu for a while. I had a hard time deciding. They have a lot of tasty sounding options. When our waitress come back, I asked her what her favorite menu items where. She said that she really liked the fish tacos, the chicken enchilada casserole, and some other things that I can’t remember.
Why can I not remember the rest of her suggestions? As soon as she said “chicken enchilada casserole”, everything else that she said when in one hear and out the other. Obviously, this is not a traditional Mexican restaurant. It’s inspired by Mexican food, but something of their own.
Will ordered the fish tacos and I ordered the casserole.
The waitress brought out some chips and salsa (which must be ordered). The chips came with three types of salsa, a mild green, a hot, and a pico de gallo that was rich with onions and cilantro. Mmmm. Very good.
Our entrees came out and it was hard to not immediately dig in.
Steven – “Wait. Don’t eat yet, I have to take a picture”
The cilantro vinaigrette dressing on the salad that came with my meal was to die for and my entrée was incredible.
Will loved his fish tacos too. He offered a bite of his beans and rice. Wow. They had a flavor that I’ve never tasted in beans and rice before. It had a nice blend of spices.
I would highly recommend Aqui.
