San Marcos Grill

About

San Marcos Grill ph. 775.882.9797 260 East Winnie Lane. Carson City Nevada, 89706

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San Marcos Grill es muy bueno!

Authentic Mexican cooking provides serious sensory pleasure. Fresh, quality ingredients produce layers of flavor when well-handled in healthful preparations. The formula is simple; the execution takes attention to detail and owners who care. At San Marcos Grill, the Barito family – Alvaro, Elena, Marcos, and Jessica – brings all the ingredients together in a well-run family restaurant. It’s a bright, cheerful setting for a delicious Mexican meal. Muy bueno!

The spacious dining room and attractive bar have a sleek, modern look. Deep red, lime green and peach walls are set off with artificial coconut palms and bright orange, artistic accents. Two sport TVs add enjoyment for sports fans. One TV is centered over the bar, surrounded by a connoisseur’s selection of 78 tequilas, with more coming soon.

Festive Mexican music, discretely in the background, enhances the mood. Margaritas made with real fruit juices, are half price Monday through Friday during the 4 o 6 p.m. Happy Hour. A full bar serves a nice selection of Mexican and domestic beers. Specialty cocktails, priced from $5 to $7, have intriguing names like Electric Watermelon and Adios Mother; no price listed for that one. If the customer has slipped away, mother may have to pay.

Some like it hot and there is plenty of heat on the extensive menu along with mild dishes, too. All can be made vegetarian on request. The kitchen sources high quality meats and fresh vegetables from local farmers’ markets.

Guacamole prepared tableside is a must to begin the meal. Diners may choose their own flavors and heat level from a range of ingredients to blend with avocado: cumin, white pepper, oregano, garlic salt, tomato, onion, serrano chile, cilantro, and fresh lime juice. Ask for it all and the result delivers plenty of kick. The generous serving, in a large, black-ceramic-footed bowl, is easily enough for four people as an appetizer.

Also on the table for nibbles with crispy tortilla chips are small bowls of homemade pinto beans and nicely spicy pico de gallo. Take home a pint of salsa or guacamole for just $4.95.

A hearty Albondiga soup is chock full of soft, spicy meatballs and crunchy diced vegetables: carrots, celery, cabbage, onion and more in a rich, savory broth spiced with cumin, oregano and chili. Flavor, flavor, flavor! By far the best albondiga soup I’ve had in recent years. Order a large bowl for $4.95 and take the rest home for supper or lunch the next day.

The menu reads Huevos Rancheros ‘made right.’ And indeed they are, “made perfectly,” said my dining companion. This classic Mexican dish combines fresh soft fried eggs with a tasty ranchera sauce, homemade black beans, jack and cheddar cheeses, topped with several slices of fresh avocado. Again, muy bueno!

Chiles rellanos is my benchmark for a good Mexican restaurant. The San Marcos version measures high on the scale. Ordered a la carte, one large and tender poblano chili in a light batter is covered with mild ranchera sauce, melted jack and cheddar cheeses. Add variety, and more kick, by requesting this dish with enchilada or green tomatillo sauce. The kitchen is glad to accommodate.

Fish Tacos are another favorite and very well made at San Marcos Grill. Extremely fresh white fish is grilled, batter fried or blackened. I would chose grilled or fried over blackened, as the seasoning is a bit strong when combined with other flavors in the cabbage slaw, red onions, radishes, and roasted red pepper sauce. Plates are attractively presented with fluffy rice on the side and beans served in small black ceramic bowls, not the usual presentation, beans and rice running together with the entrée.

Traditional Mexican flan is made from scratch with fresh eggs, milk, vanilla bean extract. The texture is firm and thick, topped with a light caramel sauce and slices of fresh strawberries. Simply delicious; save room for this one!

Look for San Marcos Grill in the Crossroads Center on E. Winnie Lane just off No. Carson Street. The address is 260, but you won’t see this from the road as the restaurants sits far back in the center. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday thru Friday; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Kids under 12 years eat free on Tuesdays. Reservations for dinner are recommended. Call 775-882-9797 and visit www.sanmarcosgrill.com for the complete menu.