Carolyn Brooks
Ferris Robinson
How long have we driven by the space on Tennessee Avenue and watched the progress of the upcoming restaurant, Amigos Mexican Cochina? The upscale space seemed to take forever to complete, but it’s open! And, it’s open on Sunday night!
I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time finding a restaurant open on Sunday night. Canyon Grill used to be open then, but is now open Tuesday through Saturday. The Café on the Corner, 1885 Grill, the Purple Daisy and the Lookout Mountain Club aren’t open then either. So my mother and I were thrilled to try Amigos in St. Elmo for the first time on a Sunday evening after the 5:05 service at Church of the Good Shepherd.
Minutes from my home, the parking was easy and ample. Check that box. There were several booths open and we snagged one. Another check. Our server, Carolyn Brooks, greeted us immediately with a big smile and a friendly way, and brought salsa and crispy chips immediately. Followed by our cold beers. The liquor license (I’m thinking frozen margaritas) should be granted soon, but they serve local craft beer in big icy glasses, which is another big check from me. We started with an order of guacamole, which was smooth and creamy, but next time we will upgrade to the made-tableside version with whole avocados, cilantro and tomatoes for $6.99.
There are eight different appetizers, seven different salads, six fajitas, seven choices for nachos, 10 quesadillas, nine tacos, along with a create-your-own section, and 19 different choices for specials. I didn’t even mention the kids’ items, the vegetarian choices or the desserts, but you get the idea. The menu is vast and a little overwhelming. Not a check. But Carolyn has worked at Amigos in Red Bank for nine years and knows the menu by heart. She told us what to order when asked, and she was right. My mom and I split the veggie chimichangas for $11.29. There are two of them, and they are served with rice, refried beans and a fresh guacamole salad, and we were stuffed! My husband ordered the Paraiso quesadilla and it was delicious! He had leftovers the next day for lunch.
Next to try on my list are the veggie fajitas and the Jalisco quesadilla, which is a wheat tortilla filled with fresh sautéed spinach, mushrooms and onions. I’m also interested in the grilled shrimp burrito and the spicy creamy suiza sauce and the ensalada fresca with grilled shrimp. Yum!
A few folks have complained about the noise, and it’s definitely bustling. We had no problem hearing each other despite two huge tables nearby. The restaurant is new, it’s minutes from home, it’s yummy and it’s reasonable. Oh, yeah, and it’s open Sunday night! Check-check-check-check-check!
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Ferris Robinson is the author of three children’s books, “The Queen Who Banished Bugs,” “The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds,” and “Call Me Arthropod” in her pollinator series. “Making Arrangements” is her first novel. “Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity” is a collection of true tales about man’s best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.