Monday, December 4, 2023

Abilene favorite El Fenix (not the chain) in Burro Alley has reopened

For those of you who have missed the long-time home-grown eatery, El Fenix, in Burro Alley on S. 1st and S. Willis, it has reopened under new ownership recently. This El Fenix is a stand-alone and is not part of the El Fenix chain.

Based on how much buzz there has been about the reopening, Abilenians are here for it! Other reviews have been mixed. Seems like there are bumps, so this review may not reflect everyone’s experience. 

My mother and I went for an early lunch at 11am last Sunday. The usual "rush to go to a place that just opened" was not in evidence at that time, so there was no wait. The server was attentive and friendly which is always a plus in my book. One new feature of the reopening, is that they now have a full bar which was not the case in the past. Another change is that you can now pay the server at your table instead of paying at the host/hostess stand as in the past. For ease of parking, use the lot behind the restaurant. It is much easier to get in and out than parking on S. 1st street in front.

As in the majority of Mexican restaurants in Abilene, the chips and salsa came out first. At El Fenix you get two types of salsa. One is tomato-based and one is a tomatillo sauce. Both had a bit of a kick. In fact, they had the most spice of anything we ate. I prefer the tomatillo because it had a fresher taste. Unfortunately, the chips were stale or perhaps stayed in the fryer too long, so they were not crisp. I usually overeat the chips and salsa but did not on this occasion as they did not tempt me.

For my meal, I ordered what I tended to always get in the past, chicken flautas ($14). My mother got a cheese and onion enchilada topped with queso ($10). Both meals came with refried beans and rice (though I believe charro beans are also an option.) The flautas, four on the plate, were the same as I remembered, topped with lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream and guacamole. This pleased me a lot. I believe the meat inside the flautas was a combination or white and dark meat or it was thigh meat. Few people would have never known that they were not made by the previous owner, except there was less meat than in the past.

Our meals came out quickly and everything was the correct temperature. The guacamole was especially outstanding. Very fresh and tasty. Next time I may get some of it as an appetizer. It was just that good.

My mom enjoyed her enchilada but she also does not like spice. It was right up her alley. I thought the queso looked like processed American cheese (see the pic) but she was happy with it. It is probably a good choice for kids or those who are not huge Mexican or Tex-Mex food fans.

The refried beans were on the bland side but not runny. It is a pet peeve of mine when the beans are too thin. They needed more seasoning but at least they were not over salted. The rice was good, not dry and had a tasty flavor. I liked the rice quite a lot and finished it before the beans which is a reversal of my usual precedence.

I would suggest, based on what I have heard about the experiences of others since they opened, that you do not go during peak times. The wait times for tables and food, along with adequate food temperature, have been an issue when the restaurant is slammed with customers. Also, keep in mind that although the menu is much the same as the "old" El Fenix, it is going to have some differences. Everything on the menu is not going to be exactly as it was in the past. Some people have not been happy with the differences in flavor profiles but I hope that once the bumps have been smoothed out with the timing in the kitchen, that most of these issues will resolve.

 Their extended hours are especially useful along with the breakfast options on the menu. Several locally owned Mexican places in town are not open at night. They just need to be sure the tortilla chips are up to par.

El Fenix was missed while it was gone.



El Fenix--Abilene (no website, Facebook page only)

3241 S. 1st St.

Abilene, TX 79605

325-788-0062

 

Hours:

Sunday 10am-2pm

Monday-Thursday 11am-10pm

Friday 11am-11pm

 Saturday 10am-11pm

 

 








Tuesday, November 7, 2023

My recent Yelp reviews for a couple of spots--Steves' Market & Deli in Brownwood, TX, and Copa at the Gap in Buffalo Gap, TX

 A couple of my fairly recent Yelp reviews...

Steves' is wonderful if you find yourself in Brownwood during lunchtime and be sure to hit the Intermission Bookstore while you are in downtown Brownwood too!

 

 https://stevesmarketanddeli.com/home.htm

 https://www.yelp.com/biz/steves-market-and-deli-brownwood

 

 https://www.yelp.com/biz/copa-at-the-gap-buffalo-gap