Casa Maria

On Friday, June 10, 2011 I had lunch at Casa Maria, 39 West Weems Lane. This Mexican restaurant had opened on April 1, and I had been meaning to try it ever since. Its location had previously been another Mexican operation called El Comal, which I had visited only once, back in November of 2007.

As presently laid out, a small dining area in the entry area has two booths and several tables. A larger area in the rear has half a dozen booths along either side wall, with tables in the center. Two counter seating areas are also in the rear.

The menu listed an assortment of entrees, along with sides. A number of the dishes gave you a choice of meats, including beef done several different ways, chicken, pork, sausage, and tripe.

I decided on Tacos Durados, with chicken. The order came on an unheated oval plastic platter, with three hard-fried chicken-stuffed tacos without salsa, under a layer of shredded lettuce, topped with mayonnaise. There was also yellow rice and refried beans spread around the platter.

I was not impressed with my meal, and am not likely to go back to Casa Maria. Perhaps I am more accustomed to Tex-Mex cuisine, but if this was the pure Mexican cuisine mentioned in the newspaper article I read in April, it's not for me. Incidentally, I did not see any Hispanic patrons.

With all the positive reviews about Casa Maria, I was dying to try this place. Too bad my first experience here tonight was not very good. First and foremost, if I don't get a refill - and I should not have to ask when my glass is empty and half my meal is still on my plate - no way can I have a positive customer experience. Also, I was not provided with a copy of my receipt. I don't recall this ever happening to me before - anywhere!

The homemade nachos and dipping sauces were very tasty but there was no salsa? The menu was a little more pricey than expected and based on the quality, was not a good value. Only corn tortillas and not an option for flour tortillas? Not enough seasoning on our fajitas and hardly any meat...it was almost all peppers and onions. Also, no salsa for the fajita's? I've had much better food at Camino Real (hope it reopens soon!) and Perlita's and plan to use these two places for my Mexican fix.

Honestly I would have rated this a '1' however, the restaurant was very clean so I felt that warranted something positive.

Very disappointed customer.