Tex-Mex Experience
With only a small Hispanic and Mexican population Canton Township is not exactly the best place to find gourmet Mexican food. Most restaurants in the Canton area are continental with the occasional ethnic restaurant around. If you asked most people in Canton where to find Mexican food they would probably tell you to go to the local Taco Bell. Tucked in on the Ford and Sheldon roads intersection rests a small, cozy family restaurant called Mexican Fiesta. With a distinct family atmosphere, the restaurant is child friendly, which adds to a generally festive atmosphere.
The family emphasis is a natural for Mexican Fiesta.Founded by Sam and Frances Alvarado in 1963, a third generation of the family still owns and operates both the Canton location as well as the original restaurant in Dearborn Heights. From the inside and the outside you would think you were in a nice cozy, relaxed restaurant in Mexico. The walls are covered by colorful paintings of the Mexican countryside, cityscapes and bullfighters. My party was treated very politely as we entered the restaurant on Saturday October 18th at 5:30 p.m. Friendly employees brought glasses of water and tortilla chips with salsa to our table. The menu is filled with Mexican entrees, appetizers and traditional ala carte selection such as tacos, burritos tostadas and enchiladas. Two house favorites are “Chicken Mexican Style” (a grilled chicken breast in a traditional sauce of chocolate, chilies and nuts) and the “Mexican Sandwich” (a three layer flour tortilla sandwich of braised beef, pork or chicken, Spanish rice and refried beans). Most menu items come with either rice or some kind of other side such as guacamole and salads. The restaurant even accommodates those who would rather order American favorites such as roast beef, sirloin steak, hamburger steak and fish and chips.Entrees average $9. Customers are offered a choice of prices on ala carte items, depending on if they order one or two. The highest priced entrée is $12.On the evenings when you are really hungry, I suggest going to Mexican Fiesta. The restaurant is noted for its generous portions. However if you are looking for the highest quality Mexican food around I would not suggest going to this restaurant.
The family emphasis is a natural for Mexican Fiesta.Founded by Sam and Frances Alvarado in 1963, a third generation of the family still owns and operates both the Canton location as well as the original restaurant in Dearborn Heights. From the inside and the outside you would think you were in a nice cozy, relaxed restaurant in Mexico. The walls are covered by colorful paintings of the Mexican countryside, cityscapes and bullfighters. My party was treated very politely as we entered the restaurant on Saturday October 18th at 5:30 p.m. Friendly employees brought glasses of water and tortilla chips with salsa to our table. The menu is filled with Mexican entrees, appetizers and traditional ala carte selection such as tacos, burritos tostadas and enchiladas. Two house favorites are “Chicken Mexican Style” (a grilled chicken breast in a traditional sauce of chocolate, chilies and nuts) and the “Mexican Sandwich” (a three layer flour tortilla sandwich of braised beef, pork or chicken, Spanish rice and refried beans). Most menu items come with either rice or some kind of other side such as guacamole and salads. The restaurant even accommodates those who would rather order American favorites such as roast beef, sirloin steak, hamburger steak and fish and chips.Entrees average $9. Customers are offered a choice of prices on ala carte items, depending on if they order one or two. The highest priced entrée is $12.On the evenings when you are really hungry, I suggest going to Mexican Fiesta. The restaurant is noted for its generous portions. However if you are looking for the highest quality Mexican food around I would not suggest going to this restaurant.
I had a chance to taste the bean and cheese burritos as well as the steak quesadillas and I was unimpressed. The burritos appeared like they had been thrown together with grade c beans and the quesadillas looked similar. The salsa accompanying our tortilla chips was more sauce than salsa. Some of the tortilla chips were so greasy that they had no crunch. Even the rice looked like someone had just thrown it in the microwave.
I would describe the food at Mexican Fiesta as more of Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican Food. The price of my parties’ food was comparable to the quality of the food, maybe even a little overpriced. If offered another choice of Mexican restaurants, I would gratefully skip another visit to Mexican Fiesta. I would recommend Mexican Fiesta for families on a budget and with limited time.
Photo Credit:Ian Barnaby
Photo Credit:Ian Barnaby
