Jesse explores local eats in the Kirkwood area
Jesse Hofford
-Opinions Editor-
Sure, Kirkwood has coffee shops, cafes and pizza joints, but maybe someone is in the mood for some good Mexican food. Where do they go? Located at 120 W. Jefferson Ave. in Kirkwood, one can find Amigo’s Cantina, home of quite possibly the best pulled chicken tacos around.
Walking in, Amigo’s is your typical Mexican grill. Mexican-style decorations, wooden tables and chairs and Dos Equis ads all over. Their menu has all the staples: burritos, quesadillas, tacos, as well as various beers, liquors and mixed drinks. They also serve lunch combos, daily chef specials and lots of appetizers to choose from. All the while, Mariachi music plays over the speakers adding to the ambiance.
During the warmer months, diners can enjoy their meal on “el porche,” Amigo’s outdoor patio. If they are lucky, they could even catch a glimpse of a mother dove who comes to nest in the same spot each year on the patio.
The chicken tacos are actually listed on the menu as Tacos Americana, and are made with the customer’s choice of beef, pork or chicken and come with an order of their red tomato rice.
This meal had good and not-so-good qualities. The star of the show was definitely the tacos, and we will get to them in a minute, but the rice was lacking something–like flavor. It just did not have enough “oomph,” for lack of a better term. Not much more can be said in its defense.
Now for the tacos, where to begin? A flour tortilla stuffed with pulled marinated chicken, topped with cheese, lettuce and diced tomatoes. The chicken had this marinade on it that gave it a slightly sweet, slightly smoky, zesty flavor that all went surprisingly well together. The chicken itself was fall-off-the-bone tender and the marinade just kicks it up to a whole new level.
Prices were fair for the quality of food and for the sheer delicousness. Prices vary by meal. Lunch combos priced at $7.99. Dinner entrees range from $12.50 for their stuffed poblano chile to $14.50 for the cilantro lime shrimp and their mojo shrimp and appetizers ranging from six to ten dollars.
This is a sit-down type restaurant so it is best to come here after classes when you can sit down and relax. This is a great place to come with friends for a bite. They are open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. They also have a bar which is open Monday to Thursday until 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11p.m. and it closes at 8 p.m. on Sundays.
