Uncle Julio's Casa Grande serves up unusual fare
Published: Feb 11, 2009
Tired of everyday Mexican fare? At Uncle Julio's Casa Grande, feel free to grab a margarita, a handful of chips and, if you're feeling adventurous, try the frog legs. This upscale restaurant isn't your average Tex-Mex diner.
Mexican food has carved out its own indisputable niche within American dining. And while inexpensive Mexican restaurants aren't hard to come by, Uncle Julio's fills a special niche by offering more upscale menu selections within a moderate price range. Even the grand old Spanish style architecture lends to the feeling that Uncle Julio's is a destination, not just a drive-by.
You need only pull up to the restaurant -- located off Peachtree Road, next to Ted's Montana Grill -- to see that they are doing something right. Most weekend nights will find a line waiting for valet parking, and hungry patrons sipping on frozen Swirl margaritas (strawberry and traditional flavors combined) or homemade sangria by the bar while they wait for a table.
As at many Mexican restaurants, once the diners are seated, servers immediately bring unending baskets of homemade chips and a smoky-flavored salsa to the table. But with the order of any entree, they also bring their signature hot tortillas -- fresh out of a see-through oven just off the dining room.
The menu offers typical Mexican-American fare, such as nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas and tacos. However, Uncle Julio's is also are famous for its "border-style" (Texas border town food, prepared in an authentically Mexican way) selection of items like ceviche (raw marinated seafood), tamales, flautas, frog legs, quail, shrimp, pork ribs and carne asada (steak).
To add to the Uncle Julio's experience, the decor features rich, bright colors and bold accessories -- such as the large wrought iron chandeliers -- as well as an interesting supply of Mexican-inspired paintings, tapestries and pottery. The upscale atmosphere foreshadows the more expansive menu choices and the novel preparation.
If dining with a group, call ahead to avoid a long wait.
- by Christine Foster, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro
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