The Tavern in Fort Worth--an Armenta's restaurant

On a recent visit to Fort Worth, my youngest sister and I went for brunch/lunch to The Tavern on Hulen. There was both indoor and outdoor seating. It was busy but not crowded but to avoid a wait (we were hungry), we decided to sit at the bar and were seated immediately. The atmosphere was classy but relaxed.

Margarita (no salt)

The bartender was our server and he was attentive and very helpful answering questions. The menu was quite broad and brunch is served on weekends. There were several different price points and dishes. Everyone should be able to find something to their taste. As I was perusing the menu, I noticed that the Mexico City Enchilada ($15) had Armenta's sauce. Now, Armenta's is one of my favorite family-owned Mexican food restaurants (located in San Angelo, Texas). I knew that a member of the family had gone on to become a well-known chef with several restaurants in the metroplex. A quick "google" later and I knew I was now sitting in one of them! I had been wanting to try one of his places for a really long time but had never purposefully made a plan to eat at one of them. Lucky!

Once I saw those enchiladas on the menu I knew I had to order them. They were shredded chicken topped with the sauce and cojita cheese. Sides were fresh guacamole and black beans and rice. My sister ordered the Mexican Migas ($14) off the brunch menu. Side note: she raved about the margarita ($9) and pronounced it was a perfect creation! House-made mixers do indeed make the difference. Not too sweet with just enough bite to it.

Mexico City Enchiladas

The enchiladas were delicious. The chicken was well-seasoned and not dry but the star of the show was the Armenta's sauce. Smokey and full of flavor. The guacamole was yummy and didn't have too many onions which can be an issue. I can take or leave black beans and rice but the were perfectly good. 

My sister's migas were presented very well (sorry, no pic) and she was happy with them. They did have diced avocado along with the usual migas ingredients.

We both left full, though not stuffed, and happy. I will return, there are so many other things to try! Maybe the pastrami sandwich or the crab cake salad next time.

Info

817.923.6200

2755 S. Hulen

Fort Worth, Texas 76109

https://www.thetavernftworth.com/

 

Hours

MON - FRI 11am - 10pm

SAT 9am - 10pm

SUN 9am - 9pm

Curbside To Go: Available All Day

CLOSED Enchilada Express--Update June 2015

This was a good place at one point but something has changed the past few times I've gone. Beans don't taste homemade. Papas seem like doctored instant flakes. Prices are high for quality similar to Rosa's or Taco Cabana. Makes me sad.

Original Review--

Guacamole salad

Enchilada Express has grown up. They have built themselves a new building with ample seating and are now a more traditional restaurant instead just a take-out/delivery place (though those are still options).  The menu has expanded considerably. If you like Tex-Mex this is your place.

Three types of enchiladas with cilantro lime rice and chipotle potatoes

I took some family there on a Wednesday evening for dinner when you can get "all you can eat" enchiladas for $8.99! You can mix and match from all their 7 flavors (only one is beef though).  My sister got a chimi which she really enjoyed. My mom had a guacamole salad which was nice and fresh (maybe a few too many onions for her).  One of my nieces had tortilla soup and a tostada. She liked the tostada but found the soup too spicy. Me, my other niece and my husband had the enchiladas. Even with all you can eat looming, I still couldn't eat more than 3 and a half.  The three enchilada plate costs $8.99 regularly. I indulged in too many chips with their spicy salsa before my meal came out.

Tostada and charro beans

Chimichanga with rice and chipotle potatoes

I am a big fan of their cilantro lime rice and now they also have chipotle mashed potatoes which were also quite good and as far as I could tell were not made from instant potatoes.We also ordered a bowl of queso to go with the chips but it was a bit small for $4.99.

Next time I go I'm trying the brisket rellenos. Always looking for the perfect relleno that isn't too greasy. In fact, tonight might be a great night to go out!

Service was attentive if a bit slow (still working out some kinks). Value for the entrees is very good.  Appetizers were a bit on the high side. They do have beer and wine but no hard liquor, so no margaritas.

If only it was still close to my house...but it is worth the drive across town. I have no doubt that they will expand in the future, probably to other cities.

2134 S. 27th
Abilene, TX 79602
(325) 232-8682
enchiladaexpress.com

Chck Facebook for specials--
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Enchilada-Express/165097273507086?sk=wall

 

El Pulgarcito de America Restaurant

El Pulgarcito (Tom Thumb) de America is a new Salvadorian/Mexican place in Abilene. It is a family-owned place in a shopping center complex on S.7th across from Safety City. Our whole family went there for lunch today. Some of us ordered Mexican; tamales, burritos and nachos...others got some Salvadorian specialties.

The Mexican food was good but didn't stand out. The Salvadorian dishes shined though. We had pupusas which are stuffed corn tortillas served with a pickled cabbage slaw, a chicken sandwich with a warm adobo style sauce on the side, and a Salvadorian plate that had a pork pupusa, a tamale wrapped in a banana leaf, refried beans, and fried plantains with a sweetened creamy sauce.

Pupusa--one with cheese and edible flowers and one with cheese and jalapeno

Salvadorian chicken sandwich

Salvadorian plate-pork pupusa, tamale in a banana leaf, fried plantains, and refried beans

The pupusa are fluffier than the usual corn tortillas, more like pancakes. The cheese is very good. Next time we go I will try the other flavors. The Salvadorian tamale also has a slightly different flavor. The fried plantains were a very big hit! Go there and have something a little different.  Prices are very reasonable and hours are long, everything from breakfast to the evening meal.


El Pulgarcito de America Restaurant
2502 S. 7th St.
Abilene, TX 79605
325-670-9292