Lunch Version of the Chicken Fajitas

Ayotli… Best Mexican Food in Coral Springs?????

This restaurant won best Mexican food in Coral Springs as posted in Coral Springs Talk so I had to try it. I usually don’t write a review when I’ve only eaten at a place once, but hey, this is the best in Coral Springs right?

Chips/Salsa with A Refried Bean Dip

The Food

I’m going to get right to business. My server asked if I wanted chips and salsa and, of course, I say “yes”. Out he comes with a basket of chips, a cup of sauce-like salsa, and a saucer of a refried bean purée. The chips are fine…nothing out of the ordinary. The salsa and refried bean purée… I was not a fan. First off, I like my salsa to be thicker with some small pieces of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. This salsa was like a tomato sauce and it just didn’t have the flavor I’m used to at La Bamba (yes, I’m going to compare this place to La Bamba because it’s my favorite Mexican Restaurant). I added some hot sauce and salt to the salsa and it made it taste a little better. The refried bean mixture….I didn’t like it either. It was bland and needed salt. I asked my server if he had a picante salsa or hot one instead of what I was eating. He said “yes” and brought it out. This salsa was way better and had the consistency and flavor I’m used too. Overall, I was thinking I’m glad this stuff is for free…LOL.

Ask For This Hot Sauce. It’s Better Than The Other Two.

I ordered the lunch special of the chicken fajitas. Is fajitas traditional Mexican fare? No, and I don’t care. I was raised in downtown Oakland Park, Florida not Mexico. My fajitas came out… WTF? Where is the smoking cast iron pan with my chicken and vegetables sizzling on top? It came on a regular plate with yellow rice, refried beans with a little cheese on top, sour cream, and a poorly cored tomato slice. No side of cheese, lettuce or pico de gallo. Let’s stop right here. This place is NOT the best Mexican Food in Coral Springs. I asked, “Where is the cast iron pan for my fajitas?”. My server said, “We only use them for dinner.”. WTF!? There is a reason why I ordered fajitas and not a burrito or taco. In my mind, fajitas are the backbone of the Mexican Food I grew up with. The sizzling pan smoking up the restaurant with its wonderful aroma adds to the ambiance of the joint. Needless to say, no sizzling and smoking pan ruined it for me. It was just chicken and vegetables on a plate with a side of flour tortillas.  On top of that, no sides of cheese or Pico de gallo really sucks! Not mention the chicken was not seasoned like I’m used to. Again, it was bland and missing something. Common theme here…I didn’t like it.

Have To Core That Tomato Better…Come On Man!

Positive Note

The size of the portion was pretty damn good. For 9 bucks and change it was a good deal. Service was fine but I was the only one in the restaurant at 2p on a Thursday. The place was clean and I found the background music to be entertaining.

Verdict

This is NOT the best Mexican Restaurant in Coral Springs. If you are like me and grew up in Broward County and are not Mexican…you wouldn’t say it’s the best either. Maybe someone from Texas, Mexico or any of the southwestern states may say this is the best, but not me. I’ve said this all along, it’s hard to do a best of poll for certain cuisines. It ends up being a popularity contest. I know I was tough on this restaurant but it’s not my fault you were voted #1 in Coral Springs. Remember, I went here once and only tried the chips/salsa and fajitas. I’m sure they have many great dishes they serve. I suggest you give them a try and be your own judge. As for me…not sure if I’ll be back, but you never know. I rate this One Beer. Stay Hungry!

Ayotli Mexican Restaurant
6291 West Sample Road
Coral Springs Fl. 33067

Four beers = Outstanding
Three beers = Good
Two beers = OK
One beer = Needs work
Zero beers= Sucks (No beer is never a good thing.)