Raja's Mexican Grill ~ ~ IS CLOSED!!!!

Flags out front will help you find the door. No they will not, they are gone gone gone!!!

Raja's Mexican Grill,  http://rajasmexicangrill.com/home, is on Oakfield Dr. directly across the street from the north entrance to Brandon Regional Hospital. Open for about six months, they are a great fix to fill your need for authentic mexican flavors at a reasonable price. The story on the web site says they are from Southern California and couldn't find a restaurant in the area that provided that special something.

The country music coming from the radio in the kitchen did not seem like an added touch of authenticity, but I am not a tune snob when it comes to keeping the kitchen happy.

Hours:
Monday to Thursday 11:30am - 7:30pm, Friday 11:30 - call
(I don't get the "call" thing. I guess if folks are rolling in at dinner time they hang around.)

Open dining area. We were sitting in a booth. Not any more!!

Order off the wall boards at the counter, get your drinks and seat yourself. Nothing fancy at all. Part of the counter area has a "Pick-Up" sign hanging over it, but we did not have to go get our order. They brought it to our booth. As you can see they were not very busy at the time.

A la carte and combo meal choices on the boards.

Numbering systems seem to be the method of operation for many of the restaurant menus in the area. We didn't request it, but our orders were served in styrofoam "to go" containers with plastic utensils and a couple of napkins. Drink cups were also styrofoam so I think nothing makes its way back to the kitchen once it leaves. Food, styrofoam, fixtures, outside signs and flags, and most importantly the people are all gone.

Erin's order:
#5. Flautas (3) rolled flour tortillas filled with savory Chicken or Picadillo then quick-fried and served hot. Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, sour cream and cheese. Served with rice and beans.
Hot and fresh it was. The yellow rice was fluffy, not clumped together, and had a nice spiciness to it. The refried beans were also of a good consistency and flavor. Cilantro seems to add a freshness to the dish and all the toppings on the flautas were good as well. The shell of the fried tortillas was crunchy and the chicken was great.

My choice:
#10. Taco Salad. Chicken or picadillo (seasoned ground beef), refried beans, rice, shredded lettuce, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and sour cream served in a fried tortilla bowl.
I am a sucker for the fried tortilla bowl whenever I have lunch at a mexican place. On a number of occasions I have been disappointed by other restaurants serving their "Taco Salad" on a plate with a circle of chips around the fixings, so I asked first. Yeah, it's in a bowl!
The meat I opted for was the picadillo (seasoned ground beef), only to have a different taste from Erin's selection. Same result. Everything was fresh and tasty (including the tortilla bowl).

We also had an order of Chips and Salsa, #23. I have always felt the truest measure of a good mexican restaurant was the quality of their Salsa, even if it wasn't a homemade recipe, and the freshness of their chips. In this case the chips were crispy and fine but the Salsa was a disappointment. It was too watery and very very salty.

They do offer some other spicy topping sauces. Two green and two red pepper choices. The bright red one is tops on the "watch out now!" scale of hot. All were very tasty though.

Blue Bell ice cream to quench the fires if you over do it.

On our chosen scale of YUCK to SUPER I would have to give it a GOOD* **

The cost of lunch for two was just over $15. I'd go back, but not on Friday night. I don't do calls.

*I would have rated them higher but for the weak salsa and all the styrofoam/plastic.
** Yes, sorry to say adios to RAJA'S, at least on Oakfield in Brandon Florida.