Cintia's Of Mexico

There are many terrific places in Minneapolis to get Mexican food: Cintia's is NOT one of these places. I have only been here once, but will not be going back. It took along time to be seated. There were plenty of open tables, but they had not been cleaned. The manager was running around trying to bus tables, take drinks to tables, and seat people. After we were seated, we ordered the guacamole. It was not guacamole made from avocados, it was some kind of guacamole "dip." Really gross. We also ordered tacos which were extremely plain. Probably could have had better tasting taco's from Taco Bell.

Pros: Cheap...that's about it

Cons: Food, Service, Location

I used to eat at Cintia's before it had changed to Shiraz.  Though I was sad to see Shiraz go most particularly for its meat falling off the bone lamb shank, I was happy about the switchback, because I would get to have their chicken chimichanga again.

First the good news:  the chimichanga was fried to perfection (golden brown and crunchy) and the interior contents of beans and chicken were tender and tasty.  The bad news is that all the food could use some more spice.  I don't know if that's garlic, achiote, cumin or lime--but there is something missing.  Though I like heat, it doesn't necessarily have to be peppered, just more generally seasoned with Mexican spices.

The other thing I don't like is the guacamole.  It tastes as if it is mixed with mayo or sour cream instead of just being straight mashed avocados.  The avocado sauce at La Casita tastes more like avocadoey than this guacamole.  I don't like eating something that makes me wonder what's in it.  

The salsa is mild but has good tomato flavor.  It is a bit thin--it seems like it should be strained before serving.  The chips were great:  light, crunchy and salted just right.  

The portions are generous (my husband had two good-sized enchiladas chock full of meat) so I would say it is a good value for a low price but it just needs more sabor.  That's "flavor" in Spanish.

Warning: this review will make me look like a huge crank. I promise I'm not super-cranky; well, at least I wasn't *before* I ate at Cintia's.

I walked in with high hopes. This used to be sort of a Tex-Mex steak & BBQ restaurant that had really good ribs. Now it's Mexican... well, Mexican-American, but I've been known to enjoy the odd chimichanga, so no worries. My hopes were raised even higher when I saw the low prices... most entrees are about $9, and a large margarita is $5. New cheap dinner place? Please oh please?

Sadly, no. I was really disappointed when the food came out. It was bland at best, watery & greasy at worst. Blech. The margarita was quite weak, and this is probably lame of me to note, but it's advertised as a "large" 17 oz. margarita, but it comes out in a plain pint glass... nothing too exciting. I like big margarita glasses; it's part of the fun, right?

The service was also quite mediocre. Our server looked at me like I had grown an extra head when I asked if the pork in the burrito was "like carnitas"... really? You work in a "Mexican" restaurant, and you've never heard of carnitas? She took her own sweet time taking our order, getting a box for our leftovers, bringing our check... The whole time, I felt like we were disturbing her by hoping to be waited on.

There was one thing that kept me from writing my very first one-star review. At the end of the meal, we were served a free dish of strawberry shortcake, without much of an explanation. I guess... everyone tonight got one? It was a nice surprise, kind of a cool touch. It might have been smart to check with us before plunking it on our table, though. Good thing neither of us is allergic to strawberries, I suppose.