THE EL FELIX EXPERIENCE

Last night we had the pleasure of meeting friends at the newest Ford Fry creation, The El Felix.  The El Felix is located in Alpharetta, in the new premier shopping and dining mecca, Avalon.  It's a Mexican themed restaurant that has the feel of Texas.  The name comes from Ford Fry's favorite Tex-Mex restaurant that he remembers as a child.  

Below is their menu - and unfortunately I had to take a photograph off of my laptop, as I failed to snap a pic at the restaurant.  But what you see is what's on the menu right now.

A view of the exterior

Photo Credit: Atlanta Eater

The restaurant has been open less than 2 weeks, and already it's creating quite the stir.  We met our friends after work on a Friday night, and at a little before 6PM there was already a 30 minute wait.  They do not take reservations at this point.  No problem - we headed to the hopping bar to test drive the specialty drinks.

My husband (and our friends) went with their margarita.  It was perfect.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

I went with a vodka concoction of theirs called RED HEADED STRANGER - Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka, Campari, grapefruit juice with lime.  Delish!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Here's how their chips and salsas (one red and one green) are served:

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

We were seated after a while and promptly greeted by our server.  

We tried 2 different appetizers.  Our server, Monica, highly recommended the Chile Con Queso - Bob Armstrong which was a delicious queso topped with seasoned beef, guacamole and sour cream.  It was fabulous!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

We also ordered an order of their guacamole, which Monica said we HAD to squeeze a generous squeeze of lime over.  It was great too!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Now for the serious eats!  I was so so so excited to order their Capechana.  I had this dish in Houston, TX years ago and have been creating it at home myself since then.  It easily can be served as an appetizer for the table to share, but I ordered it as my main course. It was really good, however it was too salty on this night.  I'm a salt lover, but someone was a bit heavy handed.  Still wonderful though.  Capechana de Marisco (with spicy gulf shrimp, octopus, lump crab and avocado).

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

One of our friends ordered the catfish dish. She raved about it and ate every bite! Pescado al Carbon (blackened NC catfish fillet, frothy serrano and garlic butter).

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

And perhaps the decadent meal of the night goes to our friend Jason who ordered the skirt steak topped with a cheese enchilada and then a fried egg.  It looked amazing and he loved it! Tampiquena (marinated wood grilled skirt steak covered with a cheese enchilada and a fried egg).   

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

My husband went with the shrimp tacos.  There were 3 tacos in double small corn tortillas. They were spicy and tasty and not too heavy.  The crunchy cabbage added nice texture to the dish. Tacos de Camarones (Spicy shrimp, smoked jalapeno, queso fresca, cilantro and cabbage).

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

And the flan!  We all 4 split the flan, and it was devine.  I grew up in Florida enjoying much Cuban cuisine, and I absolutely love flan.  It was spot on. My spoon slid easily through the custard concoction, and the taste was exactly what flan should be - sweet with a strong caramel flavor. Loved!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

And with our bill we were given this cute post card that looks and feels like you've been transported to south of the border and are sending a note back home to the States.  Nice touch.

We are already looking forward to our next visit to The El Felix.  As is typical when we dine at a Ford Fry establishment, the negative is that you can't order every delicious thing on the menu at once!  And a word about the place - I told my husband that it felt like it had been open for 10 years, not 2 weeks.  The food, the service, the atmosphere was that good.  That's the Ford Fry machine - well trained and well staffed restaurants with a focus on service and really really good food.  You must GO to The El Felix - you'll be glad you did!

And...the BEST part of the evening?  I got to meet the man himself, Ford Fry.  A gracious host indeed. Best of luck to you in your latest venture, and I look forward to Superica (at the new Krog Street Market) opening soon....