Mexico City Grill - Like the Others, Only Better

You may have seen in the entry on the now-defunct Tequila's the lament that most Mexican restaurants seem to be the same, however well the food is done.  Well, Mexico City Grill isn't really that much different than the others, but we reeeeally liked it, nevertheless.  The decor is faux aged yellow stucco on the interior, with places where the stucco has faux-aged so much that  faux bricks are showing through.  It's kind of hokey, but I found the muted colors more relaxing than the neon-bright hues of places like El Meson. We got off on the right foot with some of the best chips and salsa I've ever had, and that's sayin' something!  As I've said, I dunno what makes great salsa, but MCG sure does-- there was a lot of cilantro in there, but there were other flavors as well.  The chips may not have been home-made but they were fresh and warm.  My Texas Fajitas were da bomb, with perfectly sauteed onions & peppers, relatively tender skirt steak strips, and bigger-than-average shrimp and pieces of chicken, and the little woman's Nachos Supreme had especially well-seasoned ground beef and cheeses. All in all the food was GREAT!  ... and not too expensive, either!  Oh yeah, the draft Dos Equis beers were good and cold, and only $3.99 for a 32-ounce mug.  !Vamanos alli!

Dimitri's-- The Toyota Camry of Restaurants

Dimitri's just opened at US 31 S (East Street) and Thompson Road.  There is another Dimitri's in Columbus, IN just off I-65 that we used to visit for a little road trip occasionally on weekend days when the little woman didn't wanna cook breakfast, so I guess they've become a chain with this new location.  It is one of those Mediterranean restaurants, like the ubiquitous 4 Seasons or Lincoln Square Pancake House, that are known primarily for their breakfast menus. They're the restaurant equivalent of the Toyota Camry-- reliable performers at a good price, but not as exciting as some others.  This Dimitri's opened in what used to be a Denny's, but the new owners have renovated away any greasy trace of that chain in this location:  They competely gutted the place, walled the interior in rich wood boardroom-type paneling, laid down thick carpet, and put in octagonal tray ceilings that must be some sort of Greek tradition.  I had a Greek omelet that was HUGE, with really fresh and tasty gyro meat and feta cheese.  The prices were very good considering the humongous portions, and the waitress was a gracious Southern lady (Southern USA, not Greece) who provided great service.  O-PAH, y'all!

Update:  Ate lunch there on May 4, 2012 and it was reeeeally good.  Portions are huge.  I had the Grilled Chicken Pesto Pannini Sandwich, which was dressed with mayonnaise and red peppers.  It seemed fairly healthy, except for the mayo, of course.  Still a fan, Dimitri!

UPDATE, 09/27/2013:  Sadly, the Dimitri's at East Street & Thompson Road has closed, story from the employees being that the place was really making money so the landlord raised the rent to some outrageous level.  They always seemed to have a big crowd in there.  As I said, there was another Dimitri's in Columbus, IN, but I haven't been by there to see if it's still open. Sigh....