Chiquito Restaurant Review
Chiquito Restaurant
Milton Keynes
Reviewed by Dorothy White
Chiquito Mexico Restaurant and Bar is on Midsummer Boulevard in Milton Keynes and is very easy to spot. There was no problem parking even though my daughter, granddaughter and I visited during a Saturday lunchtime.
The restaurant decor had of course a Mexican theme and Mexican music was playing softly in the background.
We were greeted by a friendly waitress who immediately showed us to our table and took our drinks order. A children’s pack was already waiting on the table for my granddaughter that contained plenty to keep her occupied, three balloons and three crackers were also on the table!! Any queries we had regarding the menu were answered, anything we didn’t understand was explained.
A bowl of crispy tortilla chips with a salsa dip was served with our drinks.
There was an extensive menu with lots of choice, Mexican dishes plus the more usual grilled steak or burger with chips type menu. The children’s menu also had lots of variety to choose from. There was a wide range of prices, a special children’s menu, but nothing was really expensive.
Both my daughter and I decided on fajitas, we could choose two types of meat to go in the fajitas. My daughter decided on chicken and duck and I chose chicken and beef. I was asked how I would like the beef cooked. We could have had the meat dipped in a marinade before it was cooked, these ranged from mild to hot, but decided to have the meat just as it came. My granddaughter chose pasta bolognaise with baked beans.
Our food arrived really sizzling, mine had strips of beef and chicken piled on top of a mountain of peppers and onion, we had three sauces each, a bowl containing shredded lettuce and grated cheese, plus five warm tortilla wraps wrapped in paper. On the side was a large wedge of lime. Beware, the thin slice of red pepper which looked so enticing was very, very hot so my daughter tells me – her mouth was on fire!!!
I managed two wraps before I decided to eat the rest of the meat and some of the vegetables on their own. The beef and chicken strips were delicious! My daughter really enjoyed her chicken and duck and cleared most of the vegetables. The serving of pasta bolognaise for my granddaughter was huge, she managed to eat most of it then kept nibbling at the crispy tortilla chips. She tried one of my wraps with baked beans, but decided that wasn’t such a good idea!
I couldn’t manage a dessert but we encouraged my granddaughter to choose something as her Auntie had secretly arranged for a birthday candle, and for them to wish her happy birthday on her Auntie and cousin’s behalf. I don’t know how they managed to keep a lit candle upright in a bowl of JELLY but they did!!!! They then sang happy birthday! (Awkward child, she normally chooses chocolate brownie and ice cream!!!)
There were young families, elderly couples, young couples, groups, even babies in high chairs were catered for.
We left feeling rather full – personally I think one serving would have been sufficient between both my daughter and myself, although the man on the next table polished off the lot!!
Chiquito’s restaurant is certainly very popular, its menu caters for everyone and it is not at all expensive. It is a pity the closest one to where I live is in Milton Keynes, a 45 minute drive from home!
Chiquito
Salford Quays, Manchester
Reviewed by Debbie Talbot
We went to Chiquito’s at Salford Quays for Sunday lunch. Upon arrival we were delighted to see that they were running a Kids Eat Free offer. We were greeted at the door by a lovely waitress, Mandi, and shown to our table. She brought both the children in our party over some fantastic, well thought out children’s activity packs and then took our drinks order while we decided what we wanted to eat from the menu. Some delicious nachos and salsa dip were quickly brought over to our table which we munched on whilst waiting for our meals to arrive. Our drinks order was also quick to arrive. The children’s meals consisted of a drink, main course and a dessert. Even when not on a Kids Eat Free deal it is great value at just £4.99! Both children chose the same drink and main course, hot dogs and fries, despite having a fantastic choice of meal options. The adults found the starter choices tempting and opted for chicken wings and mushrooms con queso. For our main course we chose chilli con carne and southern fried chicken with a side order of onion rings. Our waitress was very helpful and could answer all questions we threw at her. She also had some fantastic suggestions for menu choices. Mandi, our waitress, even asked if the children wanted their main meals brought out with our starters. This is great when eating out with children. It wasn’t long before our starters and the children’s’ main courses were brought over to our table. Our waitress was quick to offer sauces and other condiments. The children eagerly munched their hot dog, baked beans and fries and our starters were so yummy that they did not last long. The other adult in our party is not keen on dipped chicken wings and so was glad that the waitress had organised for his BBQ marinade to be in a separate dish.
Service between courses was outstanding. We did not feel rushed, nor did we have to wait too long. Our starter dishes were quickly taken away and our mains brought out. Nothing was too much trouble for either the waitress or her chef team. My chilli con carne was specially made to be extra hot. She even brought over some hot sauce so that I could further enhance the hotness of my main course. I was offered BBQ dip in place of the flavoured mayonnaise dip which came with my onion rings. The main courses were hot, generous in portion size and delicious. I could not finish my main meal as I wanted to leave some room for my dessert. Our waitress was efficient in checking if all was ok with our meal.
By this time the children wanted their desserts. One chose jelly and ice cream and the other chocolate brownie and ice-cream. Both desserts were a big hit and the dishes were scraped clean. Our main course dishes collected and we were offered the dessert menu. We didn’t need it as we had chosen our main course earlier. I opted for blueberry and apple crumble with ice cream while the other adult in our party chose ice-cream. As with the rest of the meal, the desserts did not disappoint.
Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Chiquito’s, Salford Quays. The staff, in particular our waitress Mandi, are a credit to the company and could not do enough for all the people dining in the restaurant. All waiting staff looked smart and happy in their work. The food quality is outstanding, as is value for money. Being able to get a Kids Eat Free deal on a Sunday lunchtime is fantastic! The facilities, including the toilets were all clean and well attended to. The venue has a fantastic atmosphere and is ideal for a family meal, drinks or a meal with a partner or colleagues or with friends. Before we left we were given a book of discount vouchers which further add value to eating out at Chiquito’s. The children were delighted to be given balloons to take home. The staff were patient and fantastic with the children in our party. We have been eyeing up their fabulous £5.99 lunch menu which has a £1.50 drinks offer. They also offer fantastic rates for children’s birthday parties. This is outstanding value in itself, yet our waitress explained that Kids Eat Free on the lunch menu too. Please see www.chiquito.co.uk for up to date information. When I got home I mentioned to a friend where we had had lunch, and she too mentioned how fantastic the Salford Quays Chiquito’s restaurant is, and she named the waitress we had as being particularly fantastic.