Jose's Mexican Grill and Cantina in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Having lived in Texas for several years, I got my fair share of authentic Tex-Mex food. When we moved back home to Arkansas, I was delighted to find several small family-owned restaurants had popped up around Hot Springs. Our city is a tourist town, and we get thousands of Spanish speaking people every summer who come to see the historic bathhouse row, fish in our lakes and get thrown upside down on the Hawk at Magic Springs Amusement Park.

They can also choose from hundreds of places to dine. Jose's is a popular choice, but not just with the tourist crowd. It serves up authentic Tex-Mex food to the locals 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch. The prices are affordable for the family pocketbook, and the large portions assure that no one goes away from the table hungry!

Located just south of the Lake Hamilton Bridges at 5361 Central Avenue, Jose's welcome's its patrons into a beautiful diningroom, it's decor traditional spanish art and colors. The mostly male wait staff greet you like royalty and usher you to a table where hot, freshly fried tortilla chips and homemade salsa magically appear. The bowls never grow empty before they are replaced throughout your meal.

Daily lunch and dinner specials include Taco Salads, Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, Fajitas, Quesadillas and Chimichangas. Served with refried beans and rice, they are just $4.95 at lunch and $6.40 after 3 p.m. The portions are generous and everything is hot and delicious when it's delivered. All the dishes are cooked to order, so nothing gets made ahead of time to sit under a heat lamp for hours on end. No dried out tortillas here!

Their regular menu includes house specials such as Carne Asada: a skirt steak grilled with lime and spices and served with beans and rice for $8.95.
The Chicken Fajita Enchiladas are a favorite among many patrons, as is the Chicken Monterey and the Beef Taquitos Dinner. If you've never had a true Taquito, it's a corn tortilla with beef, cheese and onions, rolled up and deep fried.

Combination dinners are available for those, like me, who have trouble making up their minds about what to try. All of the combo dinners are served with rice and beans. Favorites of my family include a Beef Tostada and one Tamale. The tamales are made and rolled fresh each morning. Those that want to walk on the wild side might try a plate that offers a Chili Relleno, one Taco and one Tamale. Got a big appetite? For just $6.99 get the mucho platter: One Guacamole Tostada, One Tamale and One Beef Enchilada. Not all plates come with Tamales. There's a Chili Relleno, a Cheese Enchilada and a Taco combination as well as one with Three enchiladas..your choice of beef, chicken or cheese.

I don't always have a huge appetite, especially at lunch. Jose's menu has an ala carte section where you can order just one Taco, hard or soft shelled served with spicy ground meat, lettuce, tomato and shredded white cheese. Or a Tostada: a crunchy corn shell that's fried flat and loaded with your choice of beef, chicken, guacamole or beans and then topped with lettuce, tomato and shredded white cheese.

Love Fajitas as much as I do? Jose's has you covered! Choose from chicken, beef, shrimp or a combination of two, or even all three! Brought to your table on a sizzling skillet, the meat cooked tender with slices of onion and green pepper. Served with lots of freshly made flour tortillas (no store bought tortillas here), sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and shredded white cheese.

What am I forgetting? OH! The cheese dip! I should have mentioned that way back in the beginning. But, since I didn't, I saved the best for last. Jose's has the best white cheese dip this side of the border. Spicy enough to be good, but not so hot that the kids can't share. Thick enough to stay on your homemade tortilla chips that just keep coming and coming until all the cheese dip is gone.

If you're in the Hot Springs area, take a drive out Highway 7 South (Central Avenue). See our beautiful Lake Hamilton and stop for lunch or dinner at Jose's Mexican Grill and Cantina. They accept all major credit cards and even offer carryout. Give them a call at 501-525-9797 and they'll have it ready for you when you get there!