It was again a Friday and time for Neighbor Roy and I to go out to lunch. This time I picked St. Mary’s Mexican Food on St. Mary’s Road just east of Grande. We arrived at our usual time: 12:30 PM and the place was packed. Most of the patrons were there for take-out, but almost all the tables were occupied as well.
We stood in line for quite some time before we were able to order. Roy ordered a chicken chimichanga and I ordered two beef enchiladas with beans and rice. I looked at my receipt. $5.75 for Roy’s chimi and $5.50 for my combo plate. For that price, we were not expecting much. Boy, were we wrong.
It took a good 20 minutes for our orders to come up, but when we opened the boxes we were surprised and delighted at the quantity of food. Roy’s chimi was huge and filled to the brim with chicken slices. My enchiladas were likewise filled with carne asada rolled in tortillas.
Roy gives his comments as follows. “We dined in a W. St Marys road Mexican restaurant I have passed hundreds of times without noticing it. We arrived at about 12:30 and the parking lot was almost full. The restaurant is clearly popular with both the eat-in and the take-out crowd. It is clearly a working-class restaurant, no-frills, basic interior and a long line to order. We ordered, I had one of the largest chimichangas I have had in a long time. Packed with chicken, fried to perfection and was only $5.75 – better than others I have had for 3 times the price. I was impressed with the efficient way the restaurant was run. While we waited about 20-25 minutes, when it came was still hot and served in a takeout box. Clearly the restaurant is organized for the mass market and does so well. I would advise people not to go during the lunch break to avoid the noon rush, but I will return to try other items.
What it does, it does well–I give it 3 1/2 saguaros.”
Similarly, my two enchiladas were very good and filling with the rice and beans. I’m happy to return soon, but, like Roy says, we will avoid the lunch crowd.
We give St. Mary’s Mexican Food 3 1/2 Saguaros. If we had not been there at lunch hour, probably 4 given its mission, good food at a good price.
St Mary’s Mexican Food
1030 W. St. Mary’s Road
Tucson, AZ 85745
520-884-1629
