Font ResizeWe were heading to Lakeville for a family outing that would end right at suppertime. Driving back to St. Paul with two hungry, tired kids was not an option. Neither was fast food; we needed a real meal. And we didn't have time to ask around. So, we did what everyone does — we Googled.
Customer reviews of Teresa's Mexican Restaurant popped up with phrases like 'even the kids like it' and 'service is fast.' We'd had good luck at Mexican places before, so we decided to take a chance.
It turned out to be a good bet. We were seated in a booth in seconds and immediately served fresh tortilla chips and salsa by a friendly staff. We gobbled them hungrily, as we checked out the menu.
We were delighted to find out kids' meals were $1.99 that night (Sunday) — and included lots of authentic but plain options for young diners — cheese-only quesadillas, just-meat-and-cheese tacos and so on. The grown-up menu was extensive and reasonably priced, too.
Still, our picky 7-year-old chickened out and ordered American fare — chicken nuggets and fries. Arrgh! We ordered quesadillas with rice and beans for the 3-year-old. And two milks. With plans to share. My husband and I eyed the large group sitting near us — an extended family sharing chips and big plates of food and sipping margaritas. Boy, those margaritas looked good.
But we were in feed-the-kids-and-get-them-to-bed mode, not party mode. So, I got the chicken fajitas, he ordered a
While we waited for our food, the kids complained the chips needed salt, so we let them occupy themselves by individually salting each chip. They didn't have time to make much of a mess.
Soon, my sizzling plate heaped with chicken, peppers and onions arrived — along with another large plate of lettuce, beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and hot tortillas. All mine, but easily enough for two meals. Hooray! I had my lunch for work the next day. Then came the kids' baskets, and another heaping platter for my husband.
Everything looked great, except the chicken nugget basket. The fries were doughy rounds pressed into smiley faces. Cute but flavorless. (Were they even potatoes?) The nuggets seemed like they had been poured out of a freezer bag and baked. Also flavorless.
Thankfully, that mistake cost us only $1.99. We ordered another kids' meal, and it came out quickly. We were all much happier with beef tacos and rice. The big portions encouraged sharing, so we all had a little of everything and achieved our goal of a quick and balanced meal.
While my husband paid the $32 bill (including tip), the kids and I checked out a giant fish tank near the door. They oohed over the colorful sea creatures. Then, we set out for a nice quiet drive home.
TERESA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Address: 20202 Heritage Drive, Lakeville, 952-469-8903 and 750 Highway 110, Mendota Heights, 651-688-7232; teresasmexicanrestaurant.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Prices: Dinners, $5.25 to $14; kids' meals, $3.75 ($1.99 on Sundays)
