Great Food: The Final Frontera
Written: Jun 05 '04 (Updated Oct 28 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Mexican fare, reasonable prices, huge portions, fun atmosphere.
Cons: None come to mind.
The Bottom Line: If you don't live near a Frontera restaurant, move.
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| Bruguru's Full Review: Frontera Mex-Mex Grill |
How do you rate a restaurant? We all have our own unique criteria, of course, but for my part, a five-star restaurant doesn’t have to offer haute cuisine and charge you a week’s pay for the pleasure of eating it. No, I like to look at the bigger picture when I’m rating a restaurant. I.E., what type of restaurant is it, what are my expectations for such a restaurant, how much value did I get for my money.
And that’s why I give Frontera Mex-Mex Grill five stars. Sure, there are a lot fancier places you can dine at, but as far as bang for the buck goes, you can’t do much better than Frontera in my book. And it seems I’m not alone in that assessment. For five years in a row, Frontera has won the local Consumer’s Choice Award for Business Excellence.
Frontera is, at least for now, a small chain with locations only in Georgia: Alpharetta, Marietta, Norcross, Conyers, Snellville, Stone Mountain, Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Buckhead, Suwanee, Stockbridge, and Lawrenceville. The Marietta location, just down the road from where I live, is newly-opened, and would seem to indicate the chain plans to continue expanding.
The Atmosphere
One of the reasons we like our local Frontera so much is the entertainment. There’s live music throughout the week, but on Fridays (when we like to drop by) they have a Mariachi band strolling through the restaurant and serenading diners with a mix of traditional Mexican and more mainstream American music. They’re very good, too. That sets the atmosphere nicely.
As for the establishment itself, this location is situated in a former Applebee’s, and though there are plenty of Mexican decorations scattered about, it doesn’t necessarily strike you as anything out of the ordinary. But, the place is clean and comfortable overall.
The Food
For the most part, standard Mexican fare, with some specialties thrown in for good measure. The prices are extremely reasonable, too. For starters, they bring you the ubiquitous chips and salsa. The chips are hot and fresh. The salsa is provided in two varieties, a mild and a bit boring pureed tomato variety, and a very delicious chunky salsa packed with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and more. The latter is lightly spicy according to my Beloved Barbara™, but not so spicy to my taste.
We like to add the Queso Dip for $3.15. It’s as good as you’ll find at most restaurants, and when you account for the complimentary chips and salsa, a very reasonable appetizer. You won’t run out of chips and salsa, either. They keep bringing you fresh portions if you get close to running out. No need to ask.
For entrees, there are plenty of burrito choices, as well as tacos, quesadillas, flautas, chimichangas, fajitas and more. You can choose among a wide selection of dinner combinations for $6.50 each; all come with refried beans and yellow rice. Very reasonable, and you will leave very full.
On our last visit, the party behind us ordered an Alambre ($9.95). Here’s how Frontera describes it: Mexican shish kebab, prepared with sirloin steak, bacon, onion and bell peppers on a skewer, served with Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, tomato, lettuce, sour cream and flour tortillas. Brought out sizzling hot, it certainly smelled delicious, and Barbara said we need to order one on our next visit. We did, and it was every bit as good as it looked.
Barbara had trouble deciding on what she wanted, but finally accepted the waitress suggestion of Burrito al Carbon ($8.50). This was a very large flour tortilla stuffed with tender, juicy marinated flank steak cooked to perfection and smothered in queso along with rice and beans. Absolutely delicious.
I knew what I wanted right away: Carnitas Michoacan ($8.50). These were huge chunks of tender pork, deep fried to a crispy outside but still tender inside. You slice them up and make tacos out of the flour tortillas, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole, onions, and tomatilla sauce provided. Rice and beans also accompany.
My pork tacos were delicious, and I was surprised at the generous portion of meat I received. Neither Barbara nor I could finish our food, and we ended up taking home enough for another meal the next day. For those with truly prodigious appetites, there is the Burrito El Gigante. I missed the price on this one, but it’s a whopping 16” long, packed with beans and meat, and if you can finish it you get a free T-Shirt and dessert. Wow.
For the kids, there are a number of smaller combinations at about $3.50 each.
Beverages
Draught beers were limited to Bud, Bud Light, and Dos Equis. Barbara got two frozen margaritas at $4 each, and she loved them. I took a sip myself, and they were indeed delicious, with a decidedly refreshing lime flavor and strong notes of tequila. Non-frozen margaritas are available too, including a monstrous 32oz glass for $12.
Service
Our waitress was extremely friendly, polite, prompt, and helpful. No complaints here.
Overall
This is great place to enjoy some delicious Mexican food. The prices are extremely reasonable, the portions enormous, the staff friendly. If all of their locations are like this, Frontera should expand quickly, I think. After dining here yourself, you’ll soon see why.
Recommended:
Yes
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