If you've got Mexican on the mind, a recent opening is need-to-know. Called Aqui Cal-Mex, the fresh addition is located at 503 W. Capitol Expy in Communications Hill.
The local mini-chain, which got its start in Willow Glen, keeps it going with counter-order, modern Latin food with an artistic dining room and outdoor seating.
Main plates run from West Coast salmon with a blood orange vinaigrette on spinach-cilantro rice, to enchiladas stuffed with grilled free-range chicken breast. There are bowls of adobo spiced chicken breast, with avocado, black beans and roasted corn on brown rice, and grilled chicken breast in molé poblano with mashed sweet potatoes.
And vegetarians will appreciate dishes like grilled tofu in firecracker Chile sauce, and quinoa and goat cheese crumbles on a tostada. Salads, quesadillas and burritos round out the food menu, with a few Thai flavors tossed in.
On the drinks side, the standout is the "Industrial-Strength Swirl", which involves an already-strong margarita mixed with another liquor — vodka, gin or bourbon, for example — and flavorings like blood orange, lime and guava juices, or the house sangria.
With a four-star rating out of five reviews on Yelp so far, Aqui Cal-Mex has gotten a good response.
Michael N., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on February 18, wrote, "We love the self-seating and order in a line. This method of restaurant service is perfect. You don't have to wait for seating, and choose wherever you would like to dine. The drinks are amazingly made by the best bartenders."
Yelper Matt B. added, “Friendly staff, great food, and the best swirls. Lots of seating inside, and tons of seating outside with heaters. Barstools at the bar top aren't very comfortable but, oh well.”
Intrigued? Stop in to try it for yourself. Aqui Cal-Mex is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
