11030 Medlock Bridge Road STE 160
Johns Creek, GA 30097
470-395-6140
Well, we HAD to try it - - - Nick and Allison St Clair's newest creation, Mavericks Cantina. It's a Southern California Mexican joint that just opened in the John's Creek area. And the verdict? Yet another OTP (outside the Perimeter) goldmine from the St Clairs. Nick and Allison are the chef and owners of
Antebellum, the Southern restaurant in Flowery Branch that gets rave reviews.
After dining here last week I actually said to my son, "Run. Do not walk to Mavericks!" Yes, it's Mexican, but...everything we tried was unique, fresh and outstandingly and carefully prepared.
A view of the exterior of Mavericks.
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| Photo Credit: Mavericks |
A partial view of the interior - super casual, but it has a clean, warm and inviting feel. There's outdoor seating as well. And lots of southern CA beach music is playing.
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| Photo Credit: Mavericks |
We arrived on a Thursday evening for dinner. The place was about half full, and we were greeted warmly by the hostess and seated immediately. Our cheerful server, Madison, appeared promptly and brought water and took drink orders.
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
Soon after being seated we were served their amazingly fresh and delicious salsa:
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
Chips are served in a little tin bucket:
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
The water and S & P.
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
I went with their classic margarita and boy, was I glad I did! Perfect!
THE MAVERICK: Classic margarita with tequila, triple sec and lime:
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
My husband enjoyed a
Mexican Mule - Reposado tequila with lime, ginger beer and bitters. It was really smooth and delish (and went down a little too quickly!)!
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
I had read about their chicken tortilla soup topped with popcorn and even though it was September, I just had to try it. The flavors burst in your mouth, and you know what, the popcorn totally works. I loved it.
Chicken popcorn soup with sour cream and baby cilantro:
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
Perfectly prepared
guacamole - again LOTS of flavor in this guac:
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
I HAD to have the grouper tacos! They were some of the best I've ever had (and yes, I've had A LOT of fish tacos!) - fresh and an amazing combination of unexpected flavors with mango and crunchy radishes. Served with rice and black beans.
Woodfire grilled wild grouper tacos with lime marinated mango, buttermilk dressing, radishes and baby cilantro
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
My husband went with the pork belly torta. OMG! We were fighting (sort of) over who would get the last few bites. Wow. And great, decadent sweet potato fries (we may have enjoyed those or a version of those at
Antebellum?).
Pork belly torta
with chipotle mayo, avocado, tomatoes, fried egg, pickled red onions and sweet potato fries
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| Photo Credit: Cate Bogue |
So yes, this review is gushing! But it's justified; trust me. And we WILL be back soon. In fact, I'll be surprised if we're not there every week. They've started out with a fairly limited menu, but I love that. Everything we tried was absolutely outstanding. We've been talking about it to everyone we've seen since we left.
Way to go Nick and Allison!!!
