By Sherman Shifflett
There are several good Mexican restaurants in the Charlottesville area, and now you can add another one. The El Mariachi Bar and Grill at Zion Crossroads. Ava Pippin and I have dined there several times and we plan to return. I can assure you the food is good.
Not that I am an authority on Mexican food, but I believe I know more than the average bear. I lived in El Paso, Texas for nearly two years, not voluntarily. I was stationed at Ft. Bliss, compliments of the US Army. Living in the desert, I missed the green, green grass of home, and trees, but hey, we had all those military “bennies” (benefits) – three hots and a cot.
The cooks at Ft. Bliss regularly added red and green peppers to much of our food – such as scrambled eggs and fried potatoes. I still make omelets with peppers. Anyway, I was exposed to lots and lots of Mexican food and developed a taste for it. There were many Mexican restaurants in El Paso, and directly across the Rio Grande from El Paso, via the Santa Fe Bridge, was Juarez, Mexico. There was a little place in Juarez where a friend took me. He spoke Spanish and told the waitress what I wanted. The waitress/cook did not speak English but remembered what I wanted when I returned without my interpreter. Fantastic food.
The menu at El Mariachi Restaurant at Zion Crossroads lists everything good Mexican restaurants have, maybe more. The restaurant is spacious – three rooms, with the bar in the first room. The servers wear uniforms and keep customers’ drinks filled. They check tables frequently. Large servings. Ava and I often order Texas Fajitas, including shrimp. Be sure to get an extra plate and split the meal. For dessert, we order Sopapillas with ice cream. It’s all good.
If you go: El Mariachi at Zion Crossroads is about 12 miles from Charlottesville. Both the food and the service are good. If you want good Mexican food, and a change of pace, give it a try. I believe you will agree with me.
El Mariachi
65 Freedom Drive
Zion’s Crossroads, VA 22942
(540) 832-8088