Let It Shine
Fuego’s Mexican Grill
2235 Bauer Rd. 732-5888
When we saw that the Batavia Zaks Grill went belly up we nearly threw a party. The place was a true testament to how bad a hillbilly redneck bar can truly be. The bitch bartenders sucked, the food sucked and really everything about it sucked. It died and we wondered what it would be next. Well, turns out a family of four drove all the way from West Texas to take it over. Now, it’s Fuego’s Mexican Restaurant.
The first time we stopped by we were not prepared for an article, we were simply avoiding the fast food fester that litters the area as well as quenching our curiosity. We browsed the menu, asked a lot of questions and settled on tacos. You may think tacos are a bit boring but if you have ever had real tacos you’d know better. I mean the real deal street tacos sold by the millions on every curb and alley south of the border. They are actually very rare in these parts and we judge a Mexican place by the simple taco. If they serve us a boxed crunchy hard shell with ground meat, lettuce, tomato & onion, topped off with cheese & sour cream we’ll eat them, but that will be the last time we ever give that place a dollar again.
Why? Simple, every Mexican knows what a taco is supposed to be. Every single one. For what ever reason Mexican restaurateurs almost always serve us those damn gringo tacos. That’s an intentional sin we simply will not forgive. Amigo, you know better!
Needless to say Feugos did serve us a damn fine authentic taco (by request). Since then we’ve ate there two more times, both met or exceeded our expectations. That’s a compliment coming from us.
The family couldn’t be nicer, the place looks nice and the menu does feature authentic dishes. The only short coming is the lack of a cheap lunch menu. Let’s face it, Fuegos is surrounded and over shadowed by corporate crap dollar menus and $5 combo “meals”. That’s just the way it is. In order for Fuegos to re-route a couple hundred of those drive thru bound drivers into their parking lot they simply have to compete by offering their own value menu.
How about a 2 Dollar Menu: taco, enchilada, burrito, gordita (all 1/2 portioned), tostadas, flautas, quesadillas, chips & salsa, soup, nachos, beans and rice. Plus a $6 Combo Meal: tacos (2), enchiladas (2), flautas (2), burritos, chimichangas & fajitas (1 each, all 1/2 portioned), chile rellenos (1), picadas (1) and sandwiches all served with beans & rice or fries. We’ve asked why there is no lunch menu on two visits (a month apart) and amazingly we only get “We’re working on other stuff right now”. Well, here you go Fuego, I just did it for you (it’s a start anyway).
The other stuff turns out to be the pursuit of the previous liquor license. Fuego, none of the multi million dollar giants that surround you have liquor. They never will. You need to just focus on selling your food first. Your food is far better than anything on the block. If you can compete price wise and get the word out, the money will come. You can always stock the bar after your secure with your sales. You have a good thing going in the kitchen, let it shine!
