Bites Nearby: This Sol has Soul

So after hearing a few times about the great food at El Sol de Mexico along Highway 36, just south of the county line in Wind Lake, we thought it was worth a try.

Along with what everyone knows is a favorite (chimichangas, enchiladas, burritos), El Sol offers classic dinners as well.  Our group was varied in age, so we ordered everything from the Parrillada combination to a cheeseburger, and everything came in ample portions.

Being a chicken fanatic, I stuck with a themed platter, and was intrigued by what a real Mexican restaurant calls a gordita (fat pancake). The result was a crispy pocket stuffed with plenty of meat and real cheddar cheese and seasonings, a far better offering than what the chains have.  

 However, the plate that stole the show was the aforementioned Parrillada combination, which is an assortment of vegetables, potato slices and meats including beef ribs, steak, chicken and pork sauteed and simmering on a tin plate.  Underneath is a support that houses a sterno flame to keep the mix sizzling.   A generous portion of fresh cilantro and a side plate of pico de gallo and guacamole complete the list of everything you'd want to stuff into the heated stack of tortilas served from a separate warmer.  At $13.95, it was the most expensive dish, but the term 'single serving' is modest.  Two adults can easily split the portion.

Thursdays feature two-for-one margaritas, which are excellent because there's no mistaking authentic tequila, and on Fridays they welcome a mariachi band to serenade diners.  Sunday breakfast is also an event I'm told, and if you have a really big group, a downstairs banquet hall can seat groups up to 200.

Hours:  Sun 7am-9pm; Mon-Wed 7am-11pm; Thur-Sat 7am-midnight.