Old vs. New Mexican Restaurants

Today we will be visiting a long-standing Mexican restaurant and a fairly new one. Each are on opposite sides of town, adding variety to your palette. Monterrey’s When I first moved to Sioux City back

Today we will be visiting a long-standing Mexican restaurant and a fairly new one. Each are on opposite sides of town, adding variety to your palette.

Monterrey’s

When I first moved to Sioux City back in 2007, somehow this was one of the first restaurants I found, and ended up frequenting quite often, even though it was about fifteen minutes from my house. Being close to the mall, and the Singing Hills Walmart, this was a must after a morning of window shopping.

Celebrate your birthday here!

Over the years Monterrey’s has become infamous for their birthday celebrations. In fact, I remember attending a birthday party here, and they pulled all the stops out! Adorning you with a giant sombrero, bringing out an entire mariachi band, and singing “Happy Birthday” loudly to you in Spanish.

My husband and I especially like their fajita dish, since we can split that, along with an appetizer, a couple drinks and a dessert. Perfect for an affordable and inexpensive date night.

Campestre

Moving from the well-established eatery and local celebrity, Monterrey’s, to a rather new neighborhood diner, Campestre, this Mexican restaurant has only been open a couple years. Being just six blocks from our house, we drive past this quaint local spot every day. In fact, this wasn’t even on my list of places to try, until I was browsing for lunch ideas one afternoon, and multiple people recommended their guacamole. Well, if you insist. And it’s only a two-minute drive from my house, at most. Literally, it’s that close.

Craving enchiladas, I ordered their meal of six marinated pork enchiladas, rice and beans, chips and salsa, and of course, their guacamole. Out of all the Mexican restaurants I’ve tried, this was the very first time I could smell everything I ordered upon getting into my car. This was going to be epic.

Once I got home, I was so hungry I couldn’t wait to enjoy my lunch. Now you must know, I may like Mexican food, but since my mother-in-law is from Mexico, and she cooks us authentic Mexican dishes every Sunday afternoon, it is honestly hard for me to be overly impressed with Mexican food. But these enchiladas came the closest to how she makes hers.

their famous guacamole

And their guacamole? Another win for Campestre! Made from fresh avocados, a hint of lime, and a perfect ratio of pico de gallo, it’s not too spicy, and not too bland. If you try anything on their menu, get their guacamole, it will be worth the drive.

In fact, for being a fairly new establishment here in Sioux City, I can honestly say, I would prefer them over Monterrey’s for our next date night out. And if we drink too much, we can always walk the six blocks back to our house. Win win!

Stay hungry my friends!