Finding authentic Mexican food in West Michigan is becoming less and less difficult, but there’s one eatery that continually tops my list.
If you haven’t made the venture to Tres Lobos Grill & Bar, you should. It’s authentic Mexican at a reasonable price. I know of and am willing to try many other authentic Mexican establishments, but this one is near the top of my favorites.
Having been there at least a dozen times, I went in to review Tres Lobos recently as open minded as possible. As usual, I noted the salsa was a bit runny and on the onion-y side — perhaps even more onion than usual on this particular visit. I’d prefer less onion and more garlic.
The chips are fresh-made. This batch was browned to a crisp and slightly salty. The first basket of chips and salsa is complimentary, and is generous enough to keep you crunching until your entree arrives.
After a very short wait, the Enchiladas Zuizas ($8.99) I ordered was at the table, along with my dining partner’s Chicken Quesadilla ($8.99).
I went with the enchilada because I recalled thinking the green sauce was very good during a past visit. And, on this visit, it was just as I had remembered, but a bit on the salty side. The chicken was moist, tender and very tasty (the combination of spices made for a perfect marinade). The corn shell was fresh and hit the spot.
The meal was accompanied with rice and beans (I got a double helping of rice instead of beans). The rice was moist and flavorful with a plethora of veggies. This dish comes together truly well, and you don’t find this authentic flavor very often — there’s nothing generic about it.
My friend thought the quesadilla was OK, but noted it was smaller than expected and maybe not quite the value of other menu items.
Located on the northeast corner of 28th and Eastern streets, the ambiance and cleanliness set Tres Lobos apart. As I said, there are actually quite a few places serving authentic Mexican fare, but not many of them have this classic feel (no skin off my back, but a real turnoff for many eaters).
Inside, you’ll find brightly decorated booths, walls and Spanish music in the background (often a live musician). There are mostly booths, but some tables as well. Natural sunlight makes the dining room significantly brighter for early summer diners, but it can get a bit dark otherwise. The wait staff is courteous and efficient, though we did find ourselves waiting around for our dessert orders for longer than expected.
To make this review more complete, my friend tried the Chimi Cheescake ($3.99), and was extremely impressed. For anyone who loves good, real Mexican food, Tres Lobos should be on the rotation of places to visit.
