Nacho Mama's Mexican Grill

Located on a bustling block of Magazine Street, Nacho Mama's is an affordable place to enjoy a little Mexican food. My husband and I have eaten at Nacho Mama's several times since moving to New Orleans. Unfortunately I must start this review with a negative, because that is the way a meal at Nacho Mama's begins. I have eaten in many Mexican food restaurants in New Orleans and in other cities, never have I been charged for chips and salsa. But Nacho Mama's does just that, they charge of chips and salsa! This for me is a major strike against Nacho Mama's. On top of that the queso is a flavorless disappointment. I enjoy going to Mexican restaurants to drink margarita's and eat chips and cheese. While the Margarita's are not bad, they are nothing special, and the queso can best be described as bland. Once you get past this, the entrees are better than you would expected after a shaky start. Menu items include your basic Mexican fare, chicken fajitas, chimichangas, enchiladas and fresh California-style overstuffed burritos and tacos. There are a few specialties that are unique to Nacho Mama's such as the Grilled Salmon Filet with Mango Salsa. I usually order the burrito with chicken, and it is definitely overstuffed. In fact I usually take half of it home with me. My husband orders the Three Amigos, a meal with three tacos (you can order hard or soft) with beans and rice on the side. The dishes are not bad, the food is fresh and the portions are generous. We have never gotten bad food at Nacho Mama's, the problem is that there is simply nothing special about it. The service is inconsistent at best. While the servers have always been friendly, they do not seem too dedicated to their jobs. On several occasions I have seen servers sitting down with customers who are obviously friends of theirs for extended periods of time, leaving their other tables to wait, and it is an odd occurrence if they get our order 100% correct. I would say that the restaurant is kid friendly; they have a nice children's menu which doubles as a coloring page and plenty of high chairs for the size of the restaurant. Nacho Mama's is by no means a great restaurant, but it is also not the worst place I have ever eaten. I guess I can sum it up by saying I always leave feeling a little disappointed. I have high hopes when we go; it is a cute restaurant in a great location, but the food is just not quite up to par and I have a hard time getting past the fact that you have to pay for chips and salsa. I give Nacho Mama's Mexican Grill 2 stars.

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