Wayne and I tried another new Mexican restaurant over the weekend. This one, Los Dorados Mexican Restaurant, is located at 3512 Dayton Boulevard. The location was previously occupied by Pario’s and prior to that, Shoney’s.

Los Dorados has an extensive menu with lots to choose from. Menu headings are Chimichangas, Especialidades De La Casa, Mariscos, Combinaciones, Fajitas, Quesadillas, Burritos, Vegetariano, Favoritos, Enchiladas, Pollo, Ensaladas, Emparedados, Botanas, along with a few other sides, chips, etc. Each category has numerous items listed.

Not speaking Spanish, I had to read the menu listings to learn that “Mariscos” was the seafood category and Emparedados are sandwiches. I learn something new everyday!

After looking over the menu, Wayne decided on the Enchiladas Supremas (four filled corn tortillas, one each beef, bean, chicken, cheese, topped with enchilada sauce, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream - $7.99). Other enchilada items were the Mexican Flag topped with green tomatillo sauce ($9.29) and Enchilada Oaxaca (four corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and covered with mole sauce, cheese and onions ($9.49).

I ordered the Taquitos Mexicanos (four rolled corn tortillas filled with shredded beef or chicken and served with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo - $7.99) with chicken. I also ordered the cheese dip with our chips ($3.29). Chips were just regular, run-of-the-mill chips.

Of course, Wayne ordered the hotter salsa. It was red, rather than the green tomatillo sauce we ordered, but he said he was very hot and he had no problem with it. He didn’t care for the regular salsa that is served with the chips as he thought it was too much tomato. There didn’t seem to be much in the way of onion or cilantro, just mostly tomatoes.

Wayne’s enchiladas were a plateful. They are prepared fresh-to-order so we did have to wait a bit on them, but we had rather have them fresh and hot, than pre-prepared, tough and cool. The enchiladas are covered with the red sauce, which he usually gets on Enchiladas Rancheras and he said it had a nice flavor.

The Taquitos Mexicanos were extremely hot when served (which is a plus), and I thought they were quite good. They weren’t the best I have eaten, but I would order them again. The pico de gallo had a bit of a kick to it at one point (I must have gotten hold of a pepper), and the guacamole was slightly chunky, the way I like it, and was tasty (there just wasn’t enough of it). Neither of our plates was served with rice and/or beans.

Other interesting items on the menu are Pollo Michoacano (marinated chicken served on a bed of vegetables, spinach, and green tomatillo sauce - $9.49); Lupita Plate (Ceviche, grilled shrimp, chicken taquitos, chicken nachos, cheese quesadilla - $11.50), and the El Paisano (one fish taco, shrimp cocktail and ceviche tostada - $12.25).

Our server didn’t seem to speak a lot of English, but we were able to get our orders taken and food delivered with absolutely no problems. The person at the cash registered seemed to speak terrific English.

We were offered dessert, but decided we had already eaten enough. I’m not certain what the desserts are since they are not listed on the menu.

They do have fruit flavored Margaritas for those who are so inclined.

Hours for Los Dorados are Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM, Friday, 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM until 11:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM until 10:00 PM.

READER PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK:
“My pet peeve is brown-tinged lettuce used in salads. I see this most often at salad bars. My latest experience was not only brown but slimy. When I inquired about fresh lettuce, I was informed that it had only been on the bar a short time. When I informed them that it was brown, I was told all their lettuce was like that. I would never serve lettuce like that at home and certainly not to guests. Unfortunately, I am beginning to see this more often, even at restaurants known for their salad bars.”

We look forward to receiving your comments and pet peeves – cdojanet@chattanoogadineout.com