Dining Out: Tequila's Mexica Grill, Gastonia, N.C.
TEQUILA'S MEXICAN GRILL & TAQUERIA
LOCATION: 238 W. Main Ave., Gastonia, N.C.
HOURS: Lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; Dinner: 5-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-10:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday
PHONE: 704-867-8050
WEB SITE: tequilasgastonia.com
AMBIANCE: Casual Mexican restaurant
I have a favorite Mexican restaurant I haven't been to in a while, and I've been missing one of several of my favorite menu items -- shrimp tacos.
Years ago when I lived and worked in Gaston County, I discovered Tequila's Mexican Grill & Taqueria, where I've always had quick and friendly service, and meals that are always tasty and filling. Tequila's actually has two locations in Gastonia, one downtown and another in the Bi-Lo shopping center at Union and Hudson roads. The only difference between the two is the setting with one being smaller in a plaza suite, while the other, first location in old downtown offers more tables and booths, plus outdoor patio seating in the back parking lot and front sidewalk tables on Main Avenue, too. Hours also vary: the Union Road, suite 300, Tequila's (704-867-6797) is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and serves dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, and is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The shrimp tacos ($2.50 each) are served in soft shells of either corn or flour with four huge shrimp that are cooked like no others. The seasoning is scrumptious, and I savor each bite. With my two tacos comes a small cup of chopped onion and cilantro, and a small cup of some type of light green cream sauce with a warning: "This is very hot." Naturally, I knew what I was in for, but I can't resist spreading a smidgen of the jalapeno sauce on at least one of my tacos -- very lightly. Although it's a major mouth heater that'll chap your lips, it's more than a hot sauce -- it's flavorful. I'm not a person who likes hot sauces, but this, I like.
My friend ordered from the 14-long combinations offering. His No. 6 for $7.50 came with a plate filling beef burrito, bean tostado and a beef taco. He said he was surprised it didn't come with the usual rice and beans. After finishing the tostado and taco, he realized those extras just wouldn't be necessary and boxed the burrito for later. In fact, he moaned the drive afterward about how uncomfortably full he was. Yet, Tequila's, too, is now on his top places to go for Mexican food.
The menu is five pages long with appetizers ($3.25-$8.95) including dips like spinach, mushroom and cheese and bean and cheese and five types of quesadilla, and a la carte items. There are soups and salads ($3.99-$4.99), side orders, eight Chef's Specials ($8.99-$12.95) like Al Pastor Taco Dinner -- the house specialty of grilled pork tips marinated in adobe seasoning on corn tortillas with onions, cilantro, jalapeno salsa, pineapple salsa, rice and beans -- and 13 Dinners ($7.95-$12.95), served anytime, like a Fish Taco Dinner and even Veggie Chimichanga. The Fajitas menu even includes low-carb options. Five items on the children's menu are all priced $5.50, and desserts include fried ice cream, chocolate chimichanga and flan.
Lunch menu items run $4.50 to $7.50 and include usual Mexican favorites like Taco Salad with twists like Fajita Burrito and wraps. There are daily entree, lunch and drink specials, and on Mondays and Tuesdays, children younger than 12 eat free (call for details). Catering also is available.
My love for Gastonia's Tequila's Mexican Grills, like the jalapeno sauce, grows stronger each time I take a bite.
This story was originally published March 9, 2009 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Dining Out: Tequila's Mexica Grill, Gastonia, N.C.."