La Parrilla Waterloo

The original venue from this Liverpudlian mini-chain, La Parrilla Waterloo Road surprised us all when it opened on South Road back in 2010.

With its soundtrack of relentless mariachi and Mexico-by-numbers decor, expectations weren’t high. The food soon set us straight. La Parrilla shows how good Tex Mex fare can be when cooked with pride.

Go for the calamari al mojo – fresh, hand cut squid that’s a world away from the usual industrial rubber bands served under that name. Or the albondigas – succulent spicy meatballs that fall apart on the fork and then melt into a fresh tomato sauce.

From the mains, the fajitas come recommended. They’re served in a big sizzling skillet of vegetables with flour tortillas and zingy accompaniments including chunky salsa and guacamole. There’s also charcoal-grilled meats and seafood such as sea bass, sword fish and Argentinean steak.

Much of the drinks menu is focused on sunshiny cocktails such as passion fruit daiquiris and strawberry mojitos but there’s a decent selection of wine to choose from. Beers include San Miguel on draught and bottles of Modelo and Desperado.

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