Home To Some Authentic Mexican Fare
If there were something I could eat more often than dessert it would be Mexican food. I never tire of it and am always in search of good portions, creative options and quality taste at reasonable prices. Oh sure, I can get my fix at Moe’s just down the street. But no matter how fresh and healthy a chain tries to be, what you notice there are the mounds of fillings that hide the potential natural goodness. When I want some real flavor, I have found Jalapenos Grill in the center of Walpole, Massachusetts to be a great choice.
Owner and Cancun native, Ricardo Dorronsoro took his family recipes and installed them in his Jalapenos Grill restaurant much to our delight. Why one would choose the winters of Walpole to the beaches of Cancun is beyond me but I’m glad he did. The homemade salsa is wonderful. As are the chips served with it. Tangy and not too spicy so as to please all palates while you sort through the menu.
Tangy Salsa While You Wait
Our most recent visit had me in the mood for an enchilada and I took our waiter’s advice by selecting the Mole Verde Enchiladas to downplay the heat factor, as I am forever a big baby when it comes to food with a kick. As promised, there was not any spice – just flavorful chicken surrounded by the green mole sauce and toppings of sour cream, onions, sesame seeds and melted cheese. Just the right amount of toppings so that when you dug in, you didn’t taste a mouthful of sour cream or mole sauce but got to instead enjoy the focal flavor of the tender chicken and tortilla wrap. Tasty stuff!
Enchiladas Are A Favorite
My husband went off-menu and ordered the Jalapeno’s Combo from the daily specials list, which was basically a nice pairing of the main menu’s Chile Relleno and Poblano Enchilada. The only difference in his enchilada versus mine was that his featured mole rather than green mole sauce. The chile pepper was long and smushed flat infused with cheese. Forced to choose a favorite between the two, he went with the enchilada but only because he hadn’t expected exactly what he received from the pepper. He enjoyed it just fine, but had anticipated something more in line of a stiffer stuffed green pepper consistency rather than a softer and flatter offering.
Both dishes came with plenty of Mexican rice and black beans on the side, which went nicely with the main dish by taking a back seat rather than trying to take over all taste bud attention.
Who Needs Chocolate? Try The Churros!
We wrapped things up with Churros; something neither of us had tried before. Who knew such a simple concept could provide such an awesome reward for my sweet tooth? And without a touch of chocolate to boot! Fried pastry with a soft doughy filling served in a long, stick form sprinkled with a cinnamon powder and drizzled with caramel.
Jalapenos has a festive dining area as well as a margarita/tequila bar with additional seating and a tiny cluster of tables outside. They are also featuring a raw bar which seemed odd to me for a Mexican restaurant. I hope that they don’t lose focus on what they do so well by trying to branch out to other interests. From the atmosphere, appetizers, main dishes and dessert I enjoy most everything about this place. Top it off with a casual setting, tropical drinks and very affordable prices and it is no wonder I consider it a great place to satisfy my Mexican fix.
Jalapenos Grill
960 Main Street
Walpole, MA 02081
(508) 668-3900
www.jalapenosweb.com
Post by and photos credited to Molly G.
Find out what Molly is doing when she’s not eating @ The Bumbles Blog.
