Los Potrillos on Landmark Drive

Rating: Taco Bell ... minus the Adequate Food, Descent Service and Low Prices

In the Mexican, cookie-cutter restaurant business, this place is on the very low end in taste and on the high end in price. I had the displeasure of trying this Mexican wannabe the other day when I got a hankering for some heartburn. With Siesta Ranchera on IAA shut down for good, I decided I would try the new place in town.

The first thing I noticed was the walk-in to the restaurant had a feel more Strip Club-esque than restaurant. Inside, I found the tables and "blah" setup more to the liking of the aforementioned Taco Bell. Once seated, the traditional basket of chips came out with two salsas. The waiter didn't seem to know which was "hot" and which was "mild", so I had to come to my own conclusion both were "mild" and not very good.

From the menu, I did notice the prices were slightly higher than most places I have ate. I ordered a Chicken Chimichanga ($5.50) with a side of rice and Guacamole salad. I added a diet coke ($1.45) to wash it down.

Despite getting seated next to the kitchen, I would only see my waiter when he brought my drink\took my order and when he delivered the check. My Diet Coke glass sat empty for the last 15 minutes of my visit. He did however manage to stand not more than 10 feet from my table prattling on to another waiter in Mexican to give that authentic feel.

The food was more bland than the salsa and the guacamole (I am an expert) was worse than Taco Bell. The Chimi was over-cooked, the rice non-spectacular, and - of course - the service was piss poor.

Once I had the check, I made my way to the front to pay. I inquired about daily specials and found that they are non-existent.

Bottom-Line: In 6 months, this place will probably be non-existent as well given their location, shitty service, high price, lack of specials, and the fact that there are already 2 established cookie-cutter Mexican restaurants in town. I spent $7.59 on food I could have gotten at Taco John's for half the price.

Schlotzsky's Deli on IAA Drive

Rating: A Taint above Shitty

The good news is Schlotzsky's has an online coupon for the Turkey Sandwich, other sandwiches, and pizza. The bad news is that their prices have gone up and their food is just not that good. I took in a $0.75 coupon and ordered a Regular Smoked Turkey on Rye and a drink (the coupon specifies a drink). I then had to explain to them that "light" sandwiches does not mean "lite mayo". So I stripped the mayo and French's mustard in lieu of actual Deli mustard.

The restaurant is nice enough for fast food and the soup - after I got there and ordered - smelled and looked a lot better. The sandwich came out fast but was a disappointment. The lettuce is iceberg and limp, the deli meat ho-hum, and the bread was much too spongy for my taste. At least their mustard had a nice horseradish kick to it.

All-in-all, I spent $5.73 on a mediocre sandwich that didn't fill me up and a fountain soda. Keep in mind this included a coupon and you'll see where this is going. The bottom line: Way too high priced for too little sandwich and too little taste. It's a full level above Blimpie's but all Schlotzsky's sandwiches should be avoided.