Bazo's Fresh Mexican Grill
After a tiring afternoon shopping around to get
stuff to make a presentation board, Lynda and I went in search of food, but were
having our usual dilemma deciding what to eat. Since we were in the
Breckenridge/Dutchmans Lane neighborhood we batted the usual suspects around and
had initially headed up the hill toward Skyline Chili — we know it is an
acquired taste, but we were looking for something fast that wasn't a burger
— when Lynda recalled seeing a sign for a place called Bazo's last week
when we were at Village 8 to see Wanted (don't waste your time on that
movie; we'll never get those two hours back). Well, we swung through the little
parking lot just this side of Skyline (remember this) and headed around behind
Village 8 in search of Bazo's. We came back around on the theatre side and that
parking lot was wall-to-wall cars — a sign of the times when everyone is
hitting the cheap seats instead of the first run theatres with their $11 tickets
and $5 popcorn — and cruised along looking for Bazo's without success. We
decided we must have been mistaken and came back out on Dutchmans and headed
back toward Skyline, when lo and behold we spotted Bazo's and pulled into the
same little parking lot (told you to remember that). By the way, you can get to
Bazo's from the theatre side by going in the little door down in the
corner.
We came in and found a nice,
clean little shop with a dozen or so 4-place tables along the front part and an
order counter in the back. Now we are not talking about haute cuisine
here, but that wasn't what we were in the mood for. There was a nice mix of
aromas in the air as we walked in, very reminiscent of some of the finer
sit-down Mexican restaurants. A further note about the aroma; they serve fish
tacos here, but I couldn't smell even a hint of
fish.
We got to the order counter and
were handed a yellow tri-fold paper menu and were assisted by a very helpful
young lady who answered all our questions. They serve a variety of burritos and
tacos, salads and sides with the most expensive items are a couple of the Combos
at $6.99, but the tacos come in at $2.29 to $2.69. There is also a Kids Menu
with a choice of Quesadilla, Nachos, Taco or Mexican Pizza for $3.99 with a
choice of sides and a child-size drink included.
Lynda ordered the Taquitos (chicken)
off the Favorites section and it comes with rice, black or pinto beans, fresh
guacamolé, sour cream and Salsa Fresca for $5.99. I ordered a Burrito
Especial (steak) which has cheddar-jack, black or pinto beans, rice, Salsa
Fresca and chipotlé sauce inside for $5.79. Burritos have the option of
coming "Ranchero" style for $1.49 more and this adds chips and the burrito and
chips are topped melted cheese and Ranchero Salsa and with lettuce, sour cream
and Salsa Fresca on the side. I got mine Ranchero
style.
While we were waiting for our
orders to be brought out, we were served tortilla chips in a couple of paper
fries trays. These were lime and chili flavored and were quite tasty, but I
found mine might have been sitting under the heat light a little too long and
that was the only down-side to our visit, but I think as the place catches on,
the turnover will eliminate this
point.
Before we could finish the chips
we were served our orders. Lynda apparently enjoyed hers as she was smiling with
each bite. She commented that their guacamolé was fresh and this is one of
her pet peeves with Mexican restaurants; if the guacamolé isn't fresh, she
probably won't be back. She pronounce the taquitos excellent. I bit into mine
and was totally surprised by the complex mix of flavors; from the marinated
steak to the rich, smoky chipotlé sauce, it was amazing. Not at all what I
was expecting in what most people would dismiss as a fast food place like Moe's
or Qdoba. Believe me, Bazo's puts those places to shame, plus they are less
expensive, more filling and much fresher-tasting. Also, it was pleasant that
they can make a good spicy dish without burning your tastebuds off your tongue;
a lesson a lot of other places need to
learn.
I don't believe they have a
website, so I can't provide a link to their menu, but just go and give them a
try. If you are in a hurry, they have phone ahead for to-go
orders.
9 out of 10
stars.
4014 Dutchmans
Lane
(502) 899-9600
Posted: Mon - September 1, 2008 at 03:36 PM