Avila's Mexican Restaurant

 

0

16

Nestor P.

Issaquah, WA

Located in a industrial area (no fancy at all) and with a small parking lot this restaurant is a good option in dallas. The menu offers a mix between tex-mex and some traditional mexican plates.

The sauce for the chips is awesome as well as the melted chesse. The tacos are very good becuase are served with a delicious sides (rice & salad). If you can try the "Taquitos don Tabo" which are the best in town.

Be aware that the area is not the best for late dinner.

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4

22

Tanya R.

Dallas, TX

Have been there several times and like the food.  Their chips aren't my favorite because they are a bit thicker than I normally like. Tacos and enchiladas are good. It's a smal place that tends to get pretty busy at lunchtime.  I like that it's a hole-in-the-wall type joint.

One warning-stay away from the fountain soda- everytime I go it just doesn't taste right so I stick to the iced tea now.

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Elite '08

19

122

Diego S.

Dallas, TX

I decided to check out Avila's after reading some of these reviews and realizing it is around the corner from me.

I had never even noticed it before as the building is very non-descrip.  3 parking spots in front but there are a few more in the back.  You can always park across the street at the furniture store.

I was expecting plastic chairs, harsh lighting, a tejano playing jukebox, and a true hole in the wall vibe.  I was very surprised that the inside does not match up at all to the outside.  Well decorated with simple but classic furniture.  

The place filled up fast and service was S-L-O-W as there was just one guy waiting tables.  That guy was running ragged, even though, there were two people standing behind the counter doing nothing but talking.  Finally, the girl decided to work and began to seat people entering.  The other guy was I assume the owner/manager?  If he was, he needs to do more to engage/help when there is a need.  Otherwise, you are left with customers who are sitting there waiting for refills/food/their ticket.  Annoying.  Even more annoying: when you are in plain sight of your waiting customers doing nothing.

The above paragraph is really what mildly ruined the experience for me hence the rating.  When it came to the food, it was a 4* rating.  The complimentary chips were hot and hard to tell if out of a bag or not.  I need to know where Avila's buys these if they are pre-made.  The salsa was great.  Not watery and with just the right kick.

I ordered the brisket tacos and the dish was very yummy.  Brisket can tend to be prepared really greasy with said grease impacting the flavor.  These tacos were well made and not greasy at all.  The fatass in me wanted 3 tacos instead of 2 that came with the plate (hell, ten bucks for the plate, I think one more taco won't bankrupt you, Avila's).  Rice and beans were obviously an afterthought as there was just a spoonful of each to go with the (2) tacos.

There is a lot of competition for Mex-food in the Maple area.  I have a feeling latinos know there are better places than Avila's.  The entire time I was at Avila's, there was not a fellow latino patron.  At the risk of being judge-y, sometimes that can be a red flag.

In the case of Avila's, I am overlooking this as the food held up its end of the deal.

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2

15

Caroline N.

Brooklyn, NY

just seeing the name avila's is enough to make me start weeping right here in my cubicle. I never thought that living in new york would be taxing on my taste buds but let me tell you, this lack of mexican food thing is posing a serious serious problem. to quote cinderella (not something I'm quick to do, so take it as a sign that this is a dire situation): you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone.

I think I'm pretty well versed in the world of mexican food. I've been to a lot of them, and often. but very few hold the place in my heart that avila's does. yes, it's a "dive" in a certain sense. it's tucked away on maple with a lot of other mexican joints (like the acceptable but vastly inferior ojeda's), but the interior is surprisingly cosy and charming. the decor is actually pretty classy - I especially like the local art that they feature. the size is also a nice change from the ginormous, almost warehouse-style mexican spots.

but the food, oh my god, the food. they have all of the expected tex-mex items but also a fair assortment of more traditional dishes. generally, it has a more gourmet touch than your average mexican restaurant. and all of the ingredients are so, so fresh.  

I've had their tacos, chicken mole, chile rellenos...I've never been dissapointed. but once I tried the avila's special (three different enchiladas with three different sauces) it became impossible for me to order anything else. I'm not even an enchilada kind of girl (joe t's being the other exception), usually I think they're either kind of bland and uninteresting or too greasy...but these enchiladas are absolutely...unearthly. take my word for it.

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70

141

Kathryn E.

Dallas, TX

Good tex-mex with a few authentic Mexican dishes as well.  Usually go for the chicken mole as I can't get it at many other places.  I agree with comment re: noise level.  When full, it is quite loud.  Parking can be a challenge, usually end up across the street at the furniture store.

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Elite '08

29

258

Van P.

Dallas, TX

After years of hearing others tout the virtues of Avila's, I finally got around to trying it a few weeks back.  Previously, I had always been deterred by the fact they only have beer and wine (Tex-Mex with no margaritas?  Huh?).  But many go so far  as to say that this is the best Tex-Mex in town, so it remained on my list of places to try.  The restaurant certainly has an air of authenticity, with a look found more frequently in San Antonio than here.  Having already filled up on appetizers at happy hour, I didn't have the capacity to try too many things.  I went straight for the brisket tacos, which is one of their signature specials.  Indeed, the brisket was tender, flavorful, and juicy, while not being at all greasy.  And I'm not even a huge fan of brisket.  The tortillas, chips, and guacamole were clearly homemade.  So even while my stomach was revolting against the abuse I was putting it through, my tastebuds were asking for more.  I definitely plan to return to give the mole a chance.

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4

36

Cannon F.

Dallas, TX

Excellent food (A+), Service (B-), Atmosphere (C)
Excellent mexican food. Service could use some improvement, slow.  Atmosphere is simple, but restaurant is extremely loud.

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