Mexico Lindo Takes Mexican Cuisine to a New Level in Merrimack Valley

"Bienvenidos Amigos" is how the menu greets you at Mexico Lindo at their newest location in Methuen, MA. Formerly the home of the Red Tavern, the owners of Mexico Lindo has moved north from their Melrose location to take over a one time hot-spot for eating in the Valley and has made it all their own.

The ambiance is authentic Mexican, offering a cantina-type atmosphere with hanging lights and decorations throughout. The owners have made the most of their limited space by offering a small bar (about a dozen seats) and tables and booth set ups which for those of us who are a little more portly than others are a welcomed sight and make for a much easier seating arrangement. We started off with a truly delectable pitcher of sangria and finished the evening with a second pitcher. Perfection in a pitcher - couldn't make it any better if I tried. Along with the sangria, homemade nachos and pico de gallo were enough to tempt the palate prior to the main course. The appetizer menu consists of the traditional fare at a mexican restaurant - nachos, quesadillas, and Chile con Queso. There's also a Soup and Salad menu for those lighter eaters, consisting of a Fajita Salad or something a little more interesting: Pollo a la Parrilla Ensalada consisting of a crispy flour shell topped with grilled chicken, lettuce, black beans, ranchero cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes and avocado slices.

For main courses - you only need your imagination, as Mexico Lindo offers both a Small Combination and Large Combination menu consisting of every possible combination of their menu, ranging in price from $10.50 to $12.45. The Meats and Chicken sections offer up more than a half dozen choices each, even offering what they call "House Favorites" which include Carne Azada consisting of well-marbled steak butterflied and flame broiled to your liking, served with guacamole and a choice of warm tortillas. The menu also consists of a hearty helping of seafood choices, all at $13.95. Keeping all things (and reviews) fair, I ordered and enjoyed their combo fajitas, consisting of steak, chicken and shrimp. A hearty portion of all the meat and seafood, along with the perfectly sauteed vegetables made it a steaming plate of perfection. So much so, the waitress came over at one point and brought over extra tortillas without even asking - talk about service! Have no fear, our vegetarian fans aren't left off the menu - everything from a Vegetarian Burrito ($7.95) to Enchiladas Popeye ($9.25) will tempt your palate as well.

I went on an "off night" because I've been told that on busier nights (Friday/Saturday?) there is roaming entertainment, but even without, Mexico Lindo was a great place for a late dinner even during the week. The restaurant wasn't busy, the service was impeccable, and the food was outstanding. Mexico Lindo offers a lunch menu as well, and if that rivals their dinner menu, then the Merrimack Valley has themselves a great mexican restaurant in Mexico Lindo. The only downside: Parking at Mexico Lindo is tough to get to, but don't consider that a reflection on the restaurant. The location of the restaurant in relation to Route 28 in Methuen is the problem - not the parking itself. Just be careful - signage to the parking lot could be improved.

A dinner for two (including 2 pitchers of sangria) costs us around $40.00 (inc. a hearty tip for the extraordinary staff that waited on us). A true bargain considering the meal and service we received. Truly a diamond in the rough.