La Siesta
La Siesta Mexican Restaurant is located on Midlothian Turnpike, in Richmond’s south-side.
Having never lived in Texas or California, my experience with Mexican restaurants started with Chi-Chi’s in the mid 1980s and into the 1990s. Living in the mid-west, authentic, homemade food was never found. (No, I didn’t have a Frontera Grill in Cleveland, where I know Chicagoans do have as a gourmet alternative.)
Since moving to Richmond, chain restaurants continue the tradition here, too, but they are smaller, family-run operations, and ones I have adopted into my normal rotation of places to dine out in, especially when you want a flavorful, inexpensive meal.
I dined recently at La Siesta, an established, family-style Mexican restaurant not far from the intersection of Robious and Midlothian, amid strip malls and car dealerships. For a Friday night, getting a table wasn’t a problem, despite them being busy. The menu had typical fare, and I ordered the trio of enchiladas, one each of cheese, chicken, and beef.
The salsa and chips staple was disappointing. Compared to the chip quality and especially so the salsa quality with Mexico, La Siesta couldn’t compare. Their salsa seemed to be a recipe that sat for some time… it had a sweetness, but not fresh flavor typical of Mexico’s offering.
Dinners were served on large platters (careful: plates are hot!) and with the requisite Spanish rice and beans. Here the beans aren’t “mushed” but instead are served whole, and topped with white shredded cheese.
The dinner appeared to have much more care put into each element, more so than a comparable dish at Mexico. However, the tartness of the tomato sauce and the overall flavor, told me “this isn’t bad, but this is no Mexico.” Sorry to just compare it, but I think Mexico is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Richmond-area.
La Siesta—is it too tempting to say their flavors were “sleepy?” I am not sure… but while both establishments offer reasonable prices, Mexico wins on flavor… and a rightly superior salsa.
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