Navarro Mexican Grill

I love Mexican food. Every time I try a new Mexican restaurant, I order the cheese enchiladas. I'll diversify on a second visit, but somehow those red-colored tortillas and yellow cheddar cheese are my benchmark.

The reality is, however, that many Mexican restaurants are created equal. There might be a variation in atmosphere or a menu change here and there, but overall you can expect to find many of the same selections, all served with rice and refried beans on the side.

A few stand out in my mind for one reason or another - I like Karem's on Zarzamora, Mexican Manhattan downtown, La Fonda on New Braunfels, and Alamo Cafe on 281.

This past year, though, we have been frequent visitors to Navarro Mexican Grill, and it is head and shoulders above the rest.

Actually, it's an unfair competition. This would be like Lance Armstrong racing next to members of a tricycle derby.

Navarro's is located in a shopping center at the corner of Lockhill-Selma and West in Castle Hills. There have been a number of restaurants at this location over the years, but Navarro's has been here for awhile now, and I hope they're here to stay.

You walk up to the typical strip mall facade, but your first impressions are immediately changed when you step inside. The salsa music makes your feet start dancing even though you're trying just to walk. That's ok - the phenomenon is happening to everyone else, too.

You're welcomed as if you're family. The staff seems genuinely happy to see you. The general manager, Jose, comes out and visits with you, making sure that you feel at home. Although you order from a menu, one with lots of color pictures, I might add, you get the feeling as if you're in someone's home, and they are ready to whip up whatever you'd like to eat.

I suppose you're not truly just a guest when you have to pay at the end of the meal, but the prices make this easy on you. Most breakfast entrees are only $6. Breakfast here includes eggs benedict, a guacamole omelet, or traditional American fare of pancakes and eggs.

Lunch is fabulous, too. My favorite is a stuffed avocado with a choice of meat, and served with black beans and a Caesar salad. A Caesar salad in a Mexican restaurant? My husband must have been wishing on the right star.

Paella, innovative enchiladas, and stuffed poblano peppers entice you on the dinner menu, but what I mostly look forward to are the banana chingalingas - fried and sliced bananas served with vanilla ice cream. I really could just make a whole meal of this.

Stuffed, happy, and still with a lot of weight in your wallet, you leave Navarro's. Your feet are still dancing, and your heart is warmed by the new friends you've made in the waitstaff and the manager.

You're already thinking about what you're going to order next time.

Navarro Mexican Grill - 8055 West Ave, 210-366-0416

(Update: Sadly, Jose's father in California is very ill. Jose has closed Navarro's to move back to California to take care of him. We will miss the restaurant terribly, but we are keeping Jose and his father in our prayers.)