By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Northborough – On a recent Sunday afternoon, my husband and I stopped in at Casa Vallarta for lunch. By the time we left an hour later, we were totally stuffed but still had enough food left over for our two teenage sons to have a nice hearty snack later that evening.
The Route 9 location has been home to a number of other restaurants over the years but if the busy parking lot each day is an indication, this business is here to stay. Inside, the décor is bright and colorful with lots of Mexican artwork on the walls. We were warmly greeted by the hostess and seated right away. (The restaurant definitely gets busier as the evening hours approach and indeed, was starting to fill up by the time we left.)
We had been here before so we knew that we wanted to order the fresh guacamole again. A server brings a cart to your table side and then prepares it right to your specifications. That, combined with the complimentary bean dip, warm nacho chips and spicy salsa, can be a satisfying meal. But because I was doing a review, we forged ahead and ordered entrees.
I had the traditional chicken fajitas which were delicious. The chicken was sliced into long thin strips and then perfectly grilled with onions and green peppers, and served on a steaming fajita pan. They were accompanied by five tortillas, rice, beans, guacamole, lettuce, cheese and sour cream. I had one and a half and then had to stop (due to the aforementioned fresh guacamole and chips). My son had my leftovers that evening and reported that they were “awesome.”
My husband had the Tijuana fish tacos which was grilled tilapia in three soft corn tortillas, and served with shredded cabbage, cilantro, onions and jalapeno cilantro. He said the fish was fresh and tender and the accompaniments quite tasty.
The extensive menu features traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and enchiladas, with either seafood, chicken, beef or combinations. There is also a nice selection of vegetarian dishes, too, such as spinach enchiladas and veggie fajitas. For those looking for something a little different, there is a special menu featuring entrees such as birria de Borrego (lamb shank marinated overnight in wine and guajillo pepper sauce and garnished with lettuce, pico de gallo and sliced avocado); parrillada de mariscos (a seafood dish made with fish, crab, octopus, shrimp, scallops, calamari, mussels and clams cooked in a Casa Vallarta sauce and served over a bed of rice); and huachinango (fried red snapper served with rice and beans, and garnished with pico de gallo.)
Casa Vallarta is very much a family-friendly restaurant. Kids can get items off a special menu such as enchiladas, burritos, chicken tenders, cheeseburgers or grilled cheese.
And if there is someone in your party who would rather just have a steak or fajita, they can order that, too.
Casa Vallarta also has live music most nights and often features special celebrations such as last month’s Cinco de Mayo.
The restaurant is open each day at 11 a.m., until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Casa Vallarta is located at 45 Belmont St., (Route 9 West), Northborough, with plenty of free parking. For more information call 508-366-2153 or visit casavallarta1.com.