I recently stopped by Plaza del Sol and experienced what may be some of the best Mexican-style fare in the East Brainerd area.
THE MENU
As in most Mexican eateries in town, you'll find the expected and some unexpected items on the menu.
The order (for two): Steak fajitas ($10.50) and The Sol Special ($8.50).
My usual order is a round of guacamole and a chimichanga. Daring, huh? This time I stepped out of my comfort zone and ordered The Sol Special: a mix of grilled chicken breast and rice topped with the restaurants "famous white cheese sauce."
Though the dish was not what I expected, it was quite good. The grilled chicken had a nice flavor, but it came shredded and mixed with the rice. The cheese sauce was poured over the whole thing, so I mixed it all together and had one big plate of cheesy rice and chicken. It comes with three flour tortillas, though I didn't bother with them. What this dish needs is color. A guacamole salad would have been nice on the side.
The steak fajitas are excellent. It's a huge serving, plenty for two people to share. Shredded steak grilled with onions and peppers comes sizzling to the table, alongside a huge, separate plate of rice, refried beans and salad topped with a large mound of freshly made guacamole. An excellent choice.
Other options include a range of house specialties -- the enchiladas pablono sounds delicious; a nice array of vegetarian dishes; senior and child plates; and lunch specials. Sopapillas are always a good choice for dessert; I just wish we'd had room.
THE SERVICE
Excellent on all counts. We arrived at 4:30 p.m. for an early dinner and were walking out the door at 5:20. Orders were delivered quickly but not so fast that we didn't have time to munch on salsa and chips. I was impressed that our server quickly brought more salsa to the table when she saw we were running low. Same with water refills.
THE SPACE
The restaurant is located in a former bank building, but the transformation from banking to dining was done quite well. There are three separate dining areas, one with a bar, the other two divided by arched walls, creating an open, yet cozy feel. The colors are soft, but cheery -- beige walls with aqua trim and accents. It's a bright, clean look, unlike so many Mexican eateries that leave you in the dark.
THE VERDICT
Loosen your belts and take a trip south of the border. The flavors and ambiance will lasso you in.