[eat] Now Where Do I Go? Alternatives to Red Mesa Grill
That store where they always have your size in your new favorite pair of shoes. The restaurant where they cook your steak just right. The bar where they always know your name. These are the things we love about our favorite local businesses. But what do you do when these places close? This feature is designed to spotlight some of those options.
Red Mesa Grill (Formerly located at 756 N. Tyler and 127 W. Highway 54)
White cheese dip. This is what I think of when I remember Red Mesa Grill. My grandparents introduced me to the wonders of this Mexican restaurant. Once I had my first sip of margarita and my first dip of white cheese, I was hooked.
Don’t let the fact that this spot was recommended by old people fool you (sorry grandma). Red Mesa’s food was flavorful and wonderful – their fajitas were my favorite. There is no shortage of Mexican places in Wichita, but they can be hit or miss. While I still haven’t found a substitute for white cheese dip, here are some places that come close to matching the magic of Red Mesa.
Playa Azul (111 N. Washington and 360 N. Rock Rd.) This is my top pick for Red Mesa’s doppelganger. The food is consistently wonderful, the service is always friendly and the chips and salsa are never less than fresh. Try the Pollo Feliz and lesser Mexican joints will never satisfy you again.
Felipe’s (various locations) I wasn’t always crazy about Felipe’s, but recent experiences, specifically at the new 119th Street location, have won me over. The atmosphere is comfortable and enjoyable and, if nothing else, the Flaming Consuela is worth the trip.
Connie’s (2227 N. Broadway) I haven’t been to Connie’s in a few years, but my boyfriend goes pretty regularly and recommends its chips and salsa and beef enchilada in a flour tortilla.
El Paisa (2227 N. Arkansas) I’ve never been to El Paisa, but based on the reviews of others, it’s worth a shot. My sources recommend anything with shredded beef or chicken, and say you should definitely try the guacamole.
Readers, help us help you. What local businesses do you miss that you want us to find some alternatives for? Sound off in the comments.
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Red Mesa was owned by the same people that own Red Beans Bayou Grill. Red Beans has an entire section of their menu dedicated to Red Mesa’s food, including the white queso.
Red Beans has lost me as a customer. The only thing they do consistently is be inconsistent. Over the course of three visits they went from horrible back to what I remember as their quality menu and then on to putrid. I went to Red Beans (and Red Mesa) because their menu was good and different from many of the chain restaurants. I can’t abide the lack of consistency.
I do like Playa Azul. Their locations in Old Town, Pratt, and Rock Road have been consistently tasty.
I agree about Red Beans. I know they were affiliated with Red Mesa, but every time I’ve gone there they’ve been rude and it was an unpleasant experience overall. Even white cheese dip can’t lure me back.
We’ve never had a bad visit there. I used to be a server, so I have high standards. It is one of our favorites.
Los Cocos at 13th and Tyler has amazing cheese dip. And their margaritas are pretty delicious too!
Mmmm…cheese dip.
I have to agree with Ashley here and stick up for one of my favorite restaurants, Red Beans Bayou Grill.
I’ve never received poor service and the ancho chowder is a staple for lunch with one of my good friends.
When my husband and I visited Red Beans last Friday night, he had a cajun feast while I devoured a chimichanga with ancho butter cream sauce. It was absolutely delicious.
Plus, they have fried pickles, one of my favorite ghetto-fabulous appetizers. Hard to find in the ICT.
Give it another chance, y’all.
I have to agree with Homer and Ashley P. I am totally unimpressed by Red Beans. I’ve been on several occasions and had to send my food back more than once because it was cold. Service was also lacking. If I want Mexican, there are about 10 other good places to have it and Da Cajun Shak, while no-frills, is way better in the Cajun food department.
Super strong margaritas + great queso – huge bill = Los Cocos!
Ok, ok, here is the cajun girl to weigh in on Red Beans Bayou Grill. I have never had anything from the Red Mesa menu, but I have been to Red Beans at least 10 times since we moved to ICT. I LOVE IT. It is the only place outside of the south I have ever gotten the real flavor of real New Orleans food. 99% of other restaurant’s “cajun” food is not even close. The butter cream sauce is right out of the French Quarter and the bioled seafood is perfect, if a bit on the mild side for my palate. The red beans and rice are very good, if not completely authentic. I have never had bad service, though have had slow service once or twice. I bring my parents there every time they visit from NO and it is my place of choice for my birthday dinner and my son’s as well. Oh, and the Hurricanes…almost perfect and plenty strong enough to not worry about the tiny taste difference. Did I mention the icy cold raw oysters??? Mmmm. Da Cajun Shack is good too, but Red Beans has my authentic cajun stamp of approval. :)
AND MISSY HAS SPOKEN.
I retract my earlier statement and will give it another try. ;)
Also, you guys have made a hard sell on Los Cocos. I’m giving it a try ASAP.
MissyLew – Um, yes, I can speak to the strong margaritas, as well. I spent the extra dollar for the high quality booze in mine and let’s just say it was a good thing I ate A LOT to soak it up or the old man laugh would’ve come out and Dougie would’ve had to usher me out. :)
Okay people, I’m wish Shea, must try Los Cocos, ASAP!
Another vote for Los Coco’s here. But not as an alternative for Red Mesa, which I thought was quite disgusting. Red Mesa could best be described as Tex Mex, which is probably why I didn’t like it.
Now, as far as Los Coco’s goes… it is more of a Yucatan-style Mexican restaurant. They have some seafood dishes, they have mole and stuff that you could find in Cancun or Cozumel area. Tasty and not too expensive. (Oh, and if you shop at Dillon’s, there’s a coupon on the back of their receipts for Los Coco’s.)
Red Bean’s, on the other hand, I like. The Maytag pasta is to die for! yum.
Places for good white cheese dip (my fav too) Los Coco (& good tamales), Monterrey, Cortez, Margaritas, & Felipes. None of them quite do it like Red Mesa did, but i think Margaritas dip is pretty tough to beat. Is it lunch time yet???
Playa Azul pollo feliz is the best mexican dish I have ever had. And is there anything better than hitting play azul for some chips and salsa and ice cold modelo especial after an afternoon baseball game. I recommend the monterey at connie’s as well.
Los Coco’s fish taco and a Dos Equis amber could be a finalist for my death row meal – I love love love the Coco ’s
And yes the cheese dip is awesome – great tip on the coupon from Dillons
Ok, think the inconsistency point has been proven on Red Beans – think I’ll skip that one.
Authentic or not, I was addicted to Red Mesa’s enchiladas with red sauce and the ancho cream on anything! It shouldn’t be that hard to find vegetarian options in a Mexican restaurant, but it is. Red Mesa was always so agreeable to altering stuff. Chico’s on Maple has good veggie fajitas and veg quesadillas, but leans towards the greasy side. Not a light meal. Have always heard great things about El Paisa, but we walked out after browsing the all meat menu. Any vegetarian-friendly suggestions?
[...] week, I wrote a post lamenting the loss of Red Mesa Grill and their excellent white cheese dip. Reader Josh left a [...]
I tried Red Beans for the first time last weekend. I got the maytag pasta. It was delicious. It was also a ridiculous amount of food. For $13 I not only had dinner that night but lunch and dinner the next night. And it was equally delicious each time I reheat it. As for the service, our guy was pretty nice. He kept our drinks full and put up with our rowdy book club for hours. I’d say give it another try if the other reason you stopped going was the service. The food alone is worth it.
[...] Central), but it comes highly recommended by my grandparents, the same ones who introduced me to Red Mesa. Apparently, the amount of food you get for the money is pretty amazing, and it’s tasty [...]
I used to go to Red Beans and get the queso and a bowl of their tomato bisque. I haven’t been in a LONG time, and thought they only did the mixed menu in Derby (this was a LONNNG time ago).
I’m a queso connoisseur. In fact, I’m known to eat ONLY cheese dip for dinner. I will eat it anywhere (including El Paisa, where I believe it’s just “cheese sauce” and is only 75 cents or something outrages, dip in the cheese sauce then directly after in their green salsa. Um, yum!). Cheese dip I love: El Mexico Cafe, Felipe’s white and.. um.. non-white cheese dip, Margarita’s is YUM! I know it’s a chain, but Jose Pepper’s espinaca (white) dip is delicious. I also liked Los Cocos. OK, so if there’s cheese dip. I’ll eat it. And generally will be pleased.
I’m also a HUGE fan of any cheese dip with homemade tortillas.
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