For those who consider burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas the unofficial fifth food group, Oxford’s lack of a Mexican restaurant has been a serious problem for years ? until now.
Those who crave the spicy and rich cuisine from ‘South of the Border? are rejoicing with the opening of Casa Real (pronounced ‘Ray-al? and meaning ‘Real House?) in the heart of historic downtown Oxford.
Billing itself as an ‘authentic Mexican restaurant and cantina,? Casa Real opened a few weeks ago and owner Alberto Pimentel said, ‘So far, so good.?
‘There’s been a lot of people,? he said. ‘We’ve been busy every day, every night. Ninety-percent (of the customers) like our food.?
Casa Real features a huge and diverse menu of 78 authentic Mexican meals ranging from dishes we all know like chimichangas, tacos and chalupas to more exotic fare such as the ‘El Molcajete? (#74 on the menu).
Described by Pimentel as the most popular item so far, the $15.99 dish consists of grilled shrimp and diced ribeye cooked with mushrooms, bell pepper and onions, smothered in ranchera sauce and mozzarella cheese bubbling over in a Mexican rock with tortillas.
Pimentel assures his meals are not Americanized versions of Mexican food such as ‘Tex Mex.? It’s real, native Mexican food like you’d find cooking in his family’s kitchen.
Casa Real’s menu also features a wide variety of appetizers, soups, a la carte items and side orders.
Not only does Pimentel wish to serve delicious, fresh, high quality food, he wants it served fast.
‘Our goal is for people to have their food in five to seven minutes,? he said.
Don’t forget to wash down your lunch or dinner with an ice-cold cerveza (i.e. beer) or margarita from the beautiful bar.
While the menu offers treats for the taste buds and stomach, the interior of Casa Real is a feast for the eyes with colorful murals painted on the walls and eye-catching Mexican artifacts displayed here and there
Although he hasn’t set a date yet, Pimentel is planning a grand opening complete with a Mariachi band ? something he said will become a regular feature at Casa Real ‘at least twice a month,? then maybe once a week. Pimentel plans to have plenty of music on weekends with karaoke and ‘salsa? nights and a live DJ.
‘All that is going to happen after our grand opening,? he said. ‘We want to be prepared. Before we do something like that, we want to be ready for our customers (in terms of good food and service.?
Pimentel promises Oxford ‘we are going to get better and better.?
Casa Real is located at 21 S. Washington Street (the former site of Third Wave Seafood & Chop House) and opens daily for lunch at 11 a.m.
The kitchen closes at 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The bar stays open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information call (248) 969-2801. Better still stop in today.