Red Grill Onions Mexican Cafe and Bar

Came downtown to have my lunch date with my girlfriend and she suggested this place as she had heard go things from working just around the corner and I said heck yeah as Mexican food is my favorite.
We arrived right at noon and were surprised that there was a place to sit since I counted there are 12 tables and a counter. Very very small place, but very very friendly staff. Although I think the gentleman behind the bar who waited on us might of been the owner but if not the manager. But all the same super friendly and very attentive.
Took our drink order immediately and brought us chips and some super yummy salsa.
They had a regular menu and a small lunch special menu. We all decided to order off the lunch special menu. My friend also brought along her daughter so we each ordered something different.
I ordered the enchilada Ranchera, my friend ordered the enchilada's Suiza and her daughter ordered the enchilada Blanco. Mine and hers came with rice & beans and the Blanco came with steamed veggies. My friend and her daughter ordered their enchiladas chicken and I had mine cheese. The sauces were hearty and flavorful, the rice was moist and tasty, beans were very rich and creamy. From the great basket of chips and salsa to the great entrees the ambiance was really great for a cute little place.
By the time we got our food the place was packed and there wasn't a seat to be had.

I visited two days in a row to make sure this was a five star experience. (I do it for you, kids!) Now, there's no question about it; five stars are well deserved.

Kevin P first told me about this place as it's quite near his downtown office. Parking can be tricky. Street parking is 50/50. I like to take my chances in the Kern Superintendent of Schools parking structure where there's always a chance at a spot and there's security cameras. Plus it's only half a block a way.

The restaurant is super small. Nestled in between that giant renovated bank on Chester and a salon, this is definitely one of those places you have to search for.

On both visits we were immediately greeted by friendly servers, not just one, but all of the servers on the floor smiled and welcomed us. There's only about 10 tables in the whole dining room, with a large bar centered in the middle. A nicely stocked bar, I might add.

Maybe I was delirious with hunger, but this place may just have the best chips and salsa in town. Seriously! The chips were thick and flaky - almost like a hybrid between a flour and corn tortilla chip. The salsa was obviously fresh, with loads of thick cut onions and peppers. The heat between the two days was a little different, but that only confirmed my theory that the salsa was fresh made each day.

The first day I had menu anxiety and ordered the first thing I saw: a chicken quesadilla. While it was a delightful quesadilla with marinated chicken, thick gooey cheese and a fluffy tortilla - it's probably not the best representation of their culinary skills. This next time, I tried their Enchilada Blanca on the lunch specials menu. The same marinated chicken graced the interior of this enchilada, with thick savory white sauce. It was quite good, and with a side of veggies that were cooked to the perfect al dente texture, it was a nice rice & bean alternative. I had a bite of Kevin P's chile verde burrito which was fantastic. Totally different than some of the other chile verde's in town; this will definitely be my next pick off their lunch menu.

Service is impeccable. This is the kind of customer service that all restaurants should emulate. All servers were going out of their way to make sure patrons were happy. At the end of our lunch we were even offered to-go cups with soda. (A To-Go soda is a sure-fire way to this diet-coke lover's heart!).

Next time you're downtown and looking for a great little restaurant with super friendly servers, try the Red Grill Onion. Just save me a spot!

This place was absolutely perfect to end the evening for dinner! The ambience was very chill and can set the mood and the service was quite friendly. The server have lots of honest suggestions on what to order, which I ended up getting a combination so I could have two of the servers suggestions for my meal. I ordered a chili Verde enchilada with a chili relleno and beef crispy taco with rice and beans. Everything had lots of flavor and reach my expectations and beyond! The only thing that needed a little work was the crispy taco as I couldn't really tell what kind of oil they fried it in so it threw it off, but I still feel they were 5 stars!

Out of all the places I could pick, I'm glad I choose this one while out of town!

Going in and experiencing the first few moments, I did not think it would be as great as an experience as I was hoping for. It turned out to be alright and the food was good. It took awhile to come out once ordered but it was good.
Going in, no hello from the waiter/bartender. He approached and said we could sit right in front of the door against the wall or he could clean the 4 top at the window. We opted for the window table and watched him "clean" it which meant he cleared the clutter from it and turned the tablecloth upside down and reused it. Voila, clean table! ? Saving on laundry I guess! I was not sure if this was acceptable/sanitary as I had never had this happen before but then all of a sudden the chips and salsa were placed in front of us, so tried to forget about it. The chips were well seasoned but dark, well done in the cook of them. The salsa tasted homemade and was good, just lacking some heat. Looking around, the place is cute, has potential. We came in the Chester Ave side where it is more of a bar and there is a restaurant on the other side, different street entrance. Same kitchen though. M ordered the chicken fajita dish and I wanted my usual fave at any Mexican place, the Chile Verde enchilada. I was talked out of that by our waiter and was told I would be getting the burrito. I have no idea why this was but I just accepted it. Am I being too soft today?
Then we waited... It was 1pm and the place was not at all busy. Maybe lunch here just takes too long for most people? Our food came and the plates looked pretty good. The chile verde had a slight kick and I loved the rice. The beans were not warm and looked like they had been sitting for a bit so I gave those to M. I would shoot for double rice if I came back here.
M gave his dish a 3 out of 5. I took half my burrito home for later. The burrito itself was not a great reheated item but eating it for the tender pieces of pork was worth it. For $7-$8 each for lunch plus tip, not a bad deal.
Our waiter upon talking to him after lunch, was pretty cool, just maybe abrupt in his serving personality.
I hope by now that table cloth has been washed, only so many times you can flip it!

We stopped by for dinner last night after attending a movie that got out late. We both had one of their delicious margaritas on the rocks. I would go there just for their drinks as they are that good. We enjoyed our drinks with their wonderful chips and salsa.

My husband had a seafood stuffed relleno with a white sauce which he said was excellent. I settled on a two item combination with a cheese enchilada and a crispy shredded beef taco as I had forgotten to take my acid reflux meds and didn't want anything too spicy. Both came with their great rice and beans.

I mean what do I say besides best service, best food, best everything
Its been a while since I've experienced such great food, welcoming service and feeling at home!!!!
Please try the Chile Verde bean dip
TO DIE FOR

Really great food. Haven't had red mole like that since my mom's...and she makes a hell of a mole. Love the cozy feel and gorgeously remodeled given the age of the building. The owner/bartender/waiter is the best. I would go back just to hang out with him again.

Wish their name was catchier, because I'm afraid part tons wouldn't be drawn in, but I hope I'm wrong and these folks stay open for a very long time

Since I lived in Mexico I am now very particular about Mexican restaurant food. The food at this restaurant is absolutely excellent. The service is excellent. We will very definitely return.
Delicious tamal, enchilada, rice and beans. The wife had their special tostada with beef and loved it. We cannot wait to try other things on the menu.

The cutest little restaurant to open recently.
My boyfriend and I were on a road trip up north and when we got back in town we decided to try this new place, because we were having pregnancy-strength cravings for chile verde.
We got there there in time for the amazing lunch specials. The chile verde was to die for! The best we've had in town. Absolutely delicious. Can't wait to go back.
The staff was extremely attentive and polite. A really gem downtown.

My husband wanted to try a new place which is not the norm, usually it's me. We stopped for a late lunch on the weekend and definitely was not disappointed. The chips were hot from the fryer and perfectly salted. The salsa was different than what you find in the average Mexican restaurant. A little spicy but good. We shared the beef fajitas, rice and beans. Everything was great. Everything was fresh, service was great and we will be back.