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.
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.
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.
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
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