ADDRESS: 1547 Hanes Mall Blvd. in the Kester Mill Village Shopping Center.
PHONE: 768-6588.
DAYS/HOURS: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
WEBSITE: www.labotana-ws.com/
TYPE: Mexican.
WHAT WE ATE/WHAT IT COST: Sopes — fried corn bowls with your choice of toppings. I had one frijol (black beans and spinach), one hongos (grilled mushrooms) and one nopalitos (cactus with chipotle seasoning). A foodie friend who recommended them to me said this: “They are probably the best thing I’ve eaten in Winston-Salem, ever.” She was right. They were amazing. And, at $8.25, quite a bargain. My 2-for-$25 partner ordered the vegetarian combo for $7.50: a spinach burrito, mashed- potato enchilada and mushroom quesadilla (the mushroom quesadilla is especially delicious). One water — free! And one can of Modelo beer, the drink special on Friday nights, for $2.50.
TOTAL BILL: $18.25, plus $1.23 sales tax, plus a 20 percent tip: $23.38
WE COULD’VE SPENT MORE: Another friend in our group ordered the enchiladas al horno — two corn tortillas stuffed with mashed potatoes and topped with chipotle salsa and two kinds of cheese, for $10. The most expensive thing on the menu costs $14.99 — a hot seafood soup with squash and carrots.
WE COULD’VE SPENT LESS: This menu is filled with low-cost options. Fajitas for two are $16.99, which would have freed up more money for drinks. La Botana also has a 10-option combination menu, that costs $6.99 with iced tea on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. All other days, that menu is $7.99 with a drink. Not shabby.
COMMENTS: This is one of Winston-Salem’s best secrets. La Botana is tucked unobtrusively in the back corner of a shopping center near a Wal-Mart. The menu is creative and tasty, and the prices are reasonable.
ATMOSPHERE: Similar to most Mexican restaurants around town — expect low lights, comfortable booths and Spanish-language television.
SERVICE: B+ Our chips and salsa refills came regularly.
KID-FRIENDLY: I don’t have kids, so I’m no expert. But Mexican food is pretty family-friendly, I think. La Botana has a two-option kids menu: American food — hamburger or corn dog with fries for $3.25 — or Mexican food — taco, enchilada, burrito or quesadilla for $2.99.
VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY: Absolutely. At least a third of the menu is vegetarian.
ALCOHOL: Specials daily. Friday night: $2.50 cans of Tecate or Modelo. Friday-Sunday: $5.99 for a 22-ounce margarita on the rocks.
