Today we went to one of my favorites, Mexico Lindo, which is located at 6225 Highland Rd in Waterford, across from the Oakland County International Airport. I have been going to Mexico Lindo since I was a senior in high school enjoying favorites like fajitas, guacamole, tinga tacos and chimichangas.
In truth I knew before ever arriving at the restaurant what each member of my family would order. I knew this because we always order the same things, our favorites. Today was a bit different as Sarahfay ventured away from the kid's menu and ordered ala carte.
Upon arrival we feasted upon chips and salsa. In truth, I don't think it is fair to call Mexico Lindo's salsa a true salsa, for it is more like a sauce. Each member of the family was given a small bowl of mild sauce and a communal bowl of the green hotter sauce was left on the table. I tasted the hot sauce, just a minute amount, and I was rewarded with three or four minutes of solid hiccups; so yes, it was hot. My personal trick is to take a bit of the hot stuff and mix it into the mild bowl. That was I was able to come up with my own heat level.
For a meal I ordered the standard for me, chicken fajitas. What was different was that I asked for a side of fresh cilantro (we are cilantro freaks). The fajitas come on a platter with refried beans covered with cheese. Being lactose intolerant I asked for the cheese on the side. Small sides of guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo were also given. I had the choice of corn or flour tortilla and I decided upon flour for this visit. The grilled chicken was mixed with onions, peppers and tomatoes. As always I enjoyed the fajitas, though there was a short amount of chicken in ratio to the grilled vegetables. The beans were delicious as was the pico de gallo. The cilantro just increased the taste enjoyment bringing the dish to a new level of tastiness.
My daughter ordered ala carte and got two tacos, one chicken and one beef. She enjoyed them very much. I tasted her shredded chicken taco and it was delicious.
Kolleen shared my fajitas, but the goal of her visit was her favorite dish sopapilla. As always she enjoyed the desert even using my cheese from my fajitas to her taste advantage. What she did not remember was the cinnamon that was used, but she was assured by our waitress that the dish was the same as ever.
The affordability of our visit was what you would expect from a restaurant of this stature. My fajitas were approximately $13.95, the tacos where $1.50 each (they where on special) and the sopapilla was $3.50. Overall it was definitely worth it.
The service at Mexico Lindo was top notch. Our waitress was great, being attentive and friendly. Sarahfay said, "she was smiling with joy." I could not have said it any better.
The cleanliness was also good. Sarahfay and Kolleen both visited the restrooms and they said it was well kept.
The restaurant decor was perfect as always. Normally there are pinatas hanging, but they where absent today. This was OK as it made the establishment look even cleaner.
Overall I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good Mexican restaurant in the Waterford area. As I previously said I have always been a fan of Mexico Lindo and today's visit was exactly what I hoped for.
Overall:
Food: ****(4)
Service: ****(4 1/2)
Affordability: ***(3)
Cleanliness: ****(4)
Decor: ****(4)
Overall: ****(4)
Many years ago when I first heard of Chinese buffets I have to admit to being very wary. After all how could a buffet, with it's food sitting out, possibly compete with my favorite Chinese restaurants. But then there came the day that Kolleen, Sarahfay and I first visited Golden Buffet located at 5630 Dixie Highway in Waterford, Michigan. I will admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. The fact that the buffet was an all-you-can-eat did not hurt the situation either. So thus was the view of the Hendin family.
But then came last night. Sarahfay and I had just finished practicing our archery and we stopped at Golden Buffet for dinner. Normally my family would never go to the buffet at dinner time as their prices are higher and there is so much seafood. With Kolleen's severe allergies to shellfish there really seemed no need to go for the dinner service. But as Sarahfay and I were alone, and we both l-o-v-e seafood, it seemed a perfect time to go.
Unfortunately last night had the worst quality of food that I have ever experienced at Golden Buffet. Let me explain...
I began my meal with a bowl of Hot & Sour soup. As always I added some wantons, scallions and fried noodles. The soup itself was tasty and I know my Hot & Sour soups. But the wantons where shriveled and hard. They actually had a crusty crunch to them and this made them unappealing. I also ate sushi in my appetizer. The sushi itself was unfresh and thus not worth the bite of eating. Golden Buffet did offer pickled ginger which was wonderful.
Sarahfay started her meal with a bowl of Egg Drop Soup, which she had never had before. She did enjoy it immensely.
For our main meals I chose the Vegetable Lo Mein, Peanut Chicken, Mongolian Chicken, Pan Fried Dumplings, and Baked Mussels. Unlike previous visits to Golden Buffet the Vegetable Lo Mein was dry and tasteless. The Peanut and Mongolian Chickens were both great as was the Baked Mussel. But the Pan Fried Dumpling, which is one of my favorite foods, was like the wanton, rock hard and hard to eat. I also tried the Chicken Teriyaki Satay and it was also dried and chewy, very much like jerky.
Sarahfay's meal consisted of crab legs, fried shrimp, Sweet & Sour Chicken and Chicken Teriyaki Satay. She had a difficult time eating the crab legs as they were so small had little meat to them. She did however enjoy the Fried Shrimp.
We did not partake of it last night but Golden Buffet does offer a nice Mongolian Style BBQ buffet and grill.
The affordability of Golden Buffet is exactly what I would expect from an all-you-can-eat buffet. The price for lunch is $6.55, with children under 10 paying $3.25. I find that very affordable. The dinner prices go up after 4:00 PM to $10.55 for adults and $5.25 for kids. Children under three years of age eat free.
Golden Buffet does offer a full carryout menu as well as a carry out buffet starting at $3.29 per pound.
The decor of the restaurant was fair. Sarahfay always loves the koi in the front fountain. In fact, yesterday she saw a turtle swimming through the water. I tried to trick her and tell her it was for turtle soup, but she didn't buy it.
The cleanliness of the restaurant, which is so important for a buffet, was just fine. The bathrooms where clean.
The service was fantastic. The waitress seems to be on top of things by removing used plates, filling drink orders and fulfilling special requests.
Overall I was impressed with Gold Buffet in all ways except the food. Last night there were too many inconsistencies in the taste of the food and if I had to judge the restaurant by last night alone I would not return. I pray it was just a off night.
Happy eating!
OVERALL:
Service: ****(4)
Food: **(2)
Affordability: **(2 1/2)
Cleanliness: ****(4)
Decor: ***(3)
Overall: **(2 1/2)
