Just about every time I see a “What are they building at the old _______?” post on a Facebook neighborhood page, there is always someone in the comments saying, “Probably another car wash or Mexican restaurant.”
I’m surprised these fancy casinos in town are still in business because you local folks are usually on the money.
But step aside, fast-Mex burrito bars. Zona Fresh has something to teach you about fresh-Mex and customer service that none of the rest of you know.
Zona Fresh has the same glass barrier with fresh ingredients displayed in bins, super-friendly and helpful staff, and the only real difference between them and the others, aside from the layout and colors, is that the grill is in the back.
Which is something I like because they also have a deep fryer back there.
That means they serve a whole bunch of menu items you will never see at Chipotle or Taco Cabana, and Zona Fresh is open for a whole other meal than Chipotle and those other guys.
That’s right, breakfast.
And not just great breakfast tacos. I’m talking about the chorizo-and-potato breakfast bowl I crave so much I get it for dinner. They have avocado toast with a Mexican flair, served on a grilled torta and topped with cotija cheese. I have not once, but twice, forgotten the churro bites were filled with caramel and had to wash off my pants in the bathroom after they dripped onto my clothes.
That won’t stop me from sitting at their breezy patio tables under colorful flags in my white linen slacks, eating them and forgetting again.
But it’s not just different menu items available here. It’s different toppings too.
My personal favorite is the grilled shrimp and grilled pineapple with fried potatoes.
They make their own taco salad shells. This makes me happy.
It is counter service, and you get your own drink, but they bring the food to your table.
There’s barely been a line when I’ve been in. I think it’s still a hidden gem because I see the parking lot full at Chipotle and think, “Why are you not at Zona?”
It’s the same kind of fast-casual experience, but with a whole new world of options.
Sure, you may think just “another” Mexican restaurant opened here, but Zona Fresh is not that kind of another Mexican restaurant.
They are their own kind of Mexican restaurant, and that’s the kind of Mexican restaurant we do want coming to town.
