On The Border: It's Cinco de Mayo Everyday~All Year, Almost Everywhere~Ole' !
Written: Apr 20 '06 (Updated Apr 20 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Mexican food that is tasty, fresh and reasonably priced.
Cons: None that I can think of.
The Bottom Line: The Margarita's are great, the meats grilled just right. Seafood offerings as well as chicken dishes round out the menu. Vegetarians could eat there too!
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| ifif1938's Full Review: On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina |
Every so often I get a craving for Mexican food that just can’t be satisfied with my own home cooking, though I do make a mean Chicken Enchiladas dish, that wasn’t what I wanted on a recent weekend evening. I rummaged through my wallet for a gift card I knew I had in there, which I had received months earlier from My Points, just for clicking the ads they send me in e-mails. Those points really do add up and for 3000 points you can get this card, good for $25 in 4 different restaurant chains...Macaroni Grill, On The Border and Chili’s are the 3 that are nearest to my house, the forth I have never heard of.
Great, I thought, we could use this card and satisfy my craving at the same time. We’ve been to this restaurant a few times in the past and have always had a decent meal. When I told hubby I had this card he was more than happy to use it and partake in some sort of South of the Border type of meal. After all, a freebie is a freebie!
The On The Border restaurant we went to is a fairly new location and very busy at times with crowds during the weekends, especially at peak dining hours, but we were lucky and had no wait at all...We were there early though so that might be the reason. Upon our arrival we were met at the door by a very friendly hostess who gave us a table in the main dining room. This room, as in the whole restaurant, is decorated with a cantina style with a large faux fireplace on one end, and done in adobe shades of pale peach and tans. The decor on the walls and on high shelves is kirsch Mexican, with sombreros, pottery and other items you would find in places like this. High ceilings with large tubular A.C ducts and lighting complete this theme.
We ordered Margarita’s and though the Triple Berry Margarita special of the day sounded very delicious we decided on our favorite good old standbys, his, the frozen concoction and mine on the rocks with Quervo Gold Tequila, if you please. And don’t forget the salt! A good selection of Wines and beers are also available
While waiting for our drinks, which didn’t take long, we studied the menu and pretty much knew within a few minutes what we wanted, but first we did have one or two questions for our waiter who seemed to disappear for a while after bringing the drinks...When he finally did come back our questions were answered and we ordered. Since I was very hungry that evening I decided on a dish called Ranchiladas, Fajita steak topped with ranchero sauce and jack cheese, plus two cheese and onion enchiladas smothered with chili con carne, this is also served with Mexican rice and choice of beans, ($11.79), no, not a diet meal by any means. Hubby ordered the sizzling Fajita Salad, salad greens topped with mesquite grilled steak or chicken, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and cheese served on the side for $8.99.
His question to the waiter was that he wondered if he could have chicken and steak which turned out to be no problem...He also had a choice of Chipolte, Honey Mustard, Ranch, Smoked Jalapeno Vinaigrette or fat-free Balsamic Vinaigrette...He chose the Chipolte dressing.
We were brought a big basket of chips with homemade Salsa, which were fresh and very tasty. The salsa had just the right bite without being too hot. We also ordered a side of guacamole for $3.99. This little side dish was excellent and seemed to be made with fresh avocados, seasoned just right with cilantro and chopped tomatoes. Not mushy, pasty or bland.
When our meals arrived I have to say I was very impressed with the portions, both a good size, filling the extra large oval plates they were served on. Oh, but the taste test is most important wouldn’t you say? Well, we were both pleased since our meals were delicious...The meats were cooked just right, the veggies on his salad were fresh and crispy, my enchiladas were very good and the refried beans tasty. Though I couldn’t really finish them or the rice. Everything really tasted fresh and was served piping hot.
There is quite a large menu to choose from, with every kind of appetizer you could think of with a Mexican flare, in the price range of $3.99 for the guacamole to $9.99 for the Border Sampler, which brings you a bit of nearly everything. Though the Firecracker Stuffed Jalapenos, not included on that sampler, is one we may get on my next visit, 6 jalapenos, stuffed with mixed cheeses and spicy chicken, then tempura-fried, and served with queso, $6.49...another non-diet food offering but it does sound very tasty and something I think I would like.
There are 5 various kinds of salads, one, the Grande Taco, which I’ve been happy with on a previous lunchtime visit, this one comes with spicy chicken or taco meat with cheese, black bean and corn relish, guacamole, sour cream and Pico de Gallo in a tortilla shell..($7.79) There is also a Chicken Tortilla soup which I've had in the past and thought it to be very good for $3.99.
Some other menu selections:
The Fajita Grill: Offers 10 variations, in the price range of $11.99 to $14.99 for what they call the ultimate Fajita, mesquite grilled steak, marinated chicken, sautéed shrimp and roasted pork carnitas, topped with sautéed peppers...That even sounds too big for my appetite!
Off the Grill: Features more chicken, shrimp and steak dishes in various combinations and, under the heading Favoritos, you will find the classic Burritos, Chimichangas, Enchilada’s, Tacos and Quesadillas. These all come in different size portions and sides, the prices range in the $8.99 to $9.79 for these favorites.
There is also a special menu called Create Your Own Twisted Combo where apparently you can choose anything from 2 to 4 items served with rice and beans for $7.49 for two, $8.29 for three and $8.99 for four items, so whatever your craving you can create it to your taste...Sounds like a good idea to me.
We didn't have dessert so I can't comment on that aspect of the menu...A large selection of drinks are available with many variations of Margarita's and other mixed drinks along with a good selection of beers and wines as well as various soft drinks.
There is a good childrens menu so I would consider this restaurant to be kiddie friendly at very reasonable prices for under $4.00 a serving.
As with many chain restaurants there can be many different opinions regarding the food in each location...This On The Border not far from my house, is and has been a good dining experience for us with each visit.
No, it’s not the most epicurean Mexican food you can find and I have to say we have experienced a few incredible meals while we were visiting family in California,(they used to live in Mexico for quite a while), so they always like to take us to different Mexican restaurants while we were out there...I think the best Mexican food we've ever had has been in New Mexico years ago... And, of course, in Mexico itself. But, for a good substantial tasty meal with a "South of the Border" flavor I have no qualms about eating at On The Border and recommending it...The mixed drinks are always refreshing and strong, the food fresh and well prepared. The service is usually fine also...The only problem is that it can get noisy when the place is full and you might have to wait longer for your food to come out of the kitchen at those times as well.
All in all, we will definitely go back to On The Border when this craving hits one or both of us again. The prices are fair, especially when you have a free gift card like I did!
The location of this On the Border in Miami is
12295 SW 88 St.
Kendall, FL 33186-1901
305-275-3255
You can find the complete menu www.ontheborder.com
Recommended:
Yes
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