SNOHOMISH – El Paraiso’s owners opened a second restaurant in the Top Food and Drug shopping center in Snohomish about a month ago.
The original restaurant remains open on Colby Avenue in downtown Everett, giving Snohomish County residents two places that serve fresh, delicious south-of-the-border favorites.
On my recent Saturday afternoon visit, a steady flow of customers filled the first dining room and enjoyed sports on the television in the bar. Obviously, word spreads quickly when good food’s involved.
Just inside the door, I was immediately greeted and seated in a jade-colored leatherette booth that overlooked the parking lot. The dining rooms are decorated with brick and tile archways and murals that celebrate sunny Mexico. My server was just as bright and cheery as the setting.
Because it was still the lunch hour, I had a choice of the smaller lunch selections or the full dinners. As I munched hot, fresh chips and a steaming pot of refried beans, I studied the menu. The appetizers include quesadilla and nachos ($7.26 to $9.25), salads including a fajita and avocado tostada ($8.20 to $10.25), black bean or tortilla soup ($4.25 and $5.25) plus diverse selections that feature seafood, meat, chicken and favorites such as flautas ($9.50 to $13.50). Vegetarians have their own section of the menu with all selections at $8.95.
That’s just the dinner menu. There’s also a lunch menu with 11 choices that range from $6.25 for the huevos rancheros to $7.25 for the vegetarian fajitas.
As if that isn’t enough, a third menu lists the house specials, which include chicken and seafood dishes such as “devil chicken” ($7), shrimp in a smoked chili sauce ($7.25) and fajitas ($6.75 to $8.20).
With so many choices, I surrendered and asked my server for advice. She indicated that the macho burrito ($6.75) was a favorite lunch dish with customers. I decided to go with the crowd and selected the chili colorado (beef simmered in a red chili sauce). This burrito is also made with ground beef, chicken or chili verde (pork simmered in a green chili sauce).
I added a house margarita ($4.95) and enjoyed my fresh chips and beans, but found the watery salsa tasty but not of the same quality as the rest of the food.
The couple at the next table had the foresight to begin with an order of guacamole ($2.75). I regretted not being as insightful in my selections because it looked scrumptious.
Then my lunch arrived and it was as tasty as the guacamole looked. I don’t consider myself macho but this burrito will make any hungry diner happy. It’s stuffed to overflowing with creamy refried beans, spicy rice and tender beef. The lettuce, tomato bits and sour cream were extremely fresh. Each bite was little bit of paradise.
Herald restaurant reviewers accept no invitations to review, but readers’ suggestions are always welcome. Reviewers arrive unannounced, and The Herald pays their tabs.
Anna Poole: features@heraldnet.com.
El Paraiso Mexican Grill
1431 Ave. D, Snohomish; 360-568-5406
Specialty: Mexican cuisine
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; bar – 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily
Price range: moderate
Liquor: full bar
Smoking: nonsmoking in the restaurant
Reservations: recommended for parties of six or more
Disabled accessibility: no apparent barriers
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa
El Paraiso Mexican Grill
1431 Ave. D, Snohomish; 360-568-5406
Specialty: Mexican cuisine
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; bar – 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily
Price range: moderate
Liquor: full bar
Smoking: nonsmoking in the restaurant
Reservations: recommended for parties of six or more
Disabled accessibility: no apparent barriers
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa
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