Xolo Tacos in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Dishes Out Delicious Mexican Food
Double-duty welcome!
Story, photos by Sharon Kozden
I had a hankering recently for something with a bit of spice and sizzle. I found my hanker-worthy sizzler of a dinner with a platter of fajitas at Xolo Tacos, billed as a Taqueria and Tequila Bar in beautiful Bryn Mawr, PA.
Did I mention it was my birthday dinner? I’m one of those birthday- and anniversary-specific divas, who believes in maximizing celebratory antics. And if the day falls on a Friday or a Monday, I’m in heaven, anticipating a three day- and night-long event. I know someone who refers to her special day as “Birthday Month.” Girlfriend’s got me beat.
Naturally, I announced to Xolo’s staff the significance of the day, imagining a singing train of servers moving toward me, toting a towering cake slice with alighted candle. Of course, they were singing in or out of tune (it’s the effort that counts), while patrons surrounding me chimed in. Um, didn’t happen. It’s okay. While I don’t have rhino skin, my paper white narcissus-delicate feelings rose above feeling slighted. It was me, not them. Tee.
I opted to begin with my go-to drink, the classic margarita, despite having heard from several sources that their specialty cocktails were all that. It was a decent drink: not the best I’ve ever had but far from the worst. In short, it was good. Not wanting to imbibe on an empty belly, I dug in to the chips and slightly spicy guacamole dip. The chips were fresh and crunchy; the dipping sauce’s hint of heat married well with the tortilla chips.
Being a Gemini, my “twin” additionally elected to order an appetizer. “We” went with the broiled rock shrimp served sizzling with olive oil, garlic, white wine and chile guajillo. Following that tasty blend of all of my favorite ingredients was more of the same with white and cremini mushrooms sautéed in garlic and olive oil, garnished with cilantro. Dios mio, but these appetizers were exceptional! I highly recommend both.
Soon my sizzling fajitas – a combo of shrimp and beef strips – appeared on a hot skillet with the expected extras. You know the drill: your sour cream, pico de gallo, Mexican rice, shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, refried beans and guacamole. Onions and green peppers never did (and still don’t) do it for me, so I switched up for red peppers and zero onions. The quantity and fresh quality of meat, seafood and toppings allowed me to build three decent-sized, soft burrito-encased fajitas. This establishment knows how to ‘do’ fresh. When you want to return and make your way through the menu, that’s saying something, namely A+++.
The Birthday Girl was not about to plead “too full” when the dessert menu arrived. I ordered the decadent Mexican hot chocolate accompanied by three crunchy churros with soft interior and sugar dustings. As stated that no birthday cake-bearing procession lighted me up with candles, I have nothing but applause for the manager staff and servers, who all were attentive, friendly and professional. That suited this Diva. Besides, they actually did me a favor in keeping me out of the limelight: no next-day fat pants! Two appetizers: good. Double the dessert: a definite no-no.
Muchas gracias, Xolo Tacos! Stick around town, as you do Mexican cuisine as well as you do fresh.
Look, Ma: it’s a fully stocked bar. Imagine that.
Interior shot: warm, rustic with accents befitting Xolo’s name-billing.
Close-up décor scene blends colored tiles with naturistic accent pieces.
I love pairing of chips, dip and a cocktail. Nothing is too heavy and I get a belly coating before the tequila hits.
Mouth-watering appetizer with all of my favorite ingredients.
I don’t need to account for my choice of two appetizers: I’m a Gemini … the signs of the twins. Tee.
Sizzle-lean (before additions and sauces) is my fajita entrée.
The standard foodstuffs I add to fajitas ratchet them up to an “11.”
My creation. This qualifies as art, right?
All good things must come to that proverbial end, including dessert. I savored the Mexican hot chocolate with a trio of churros. If you don’t want to go all in for dinner, check out their amazing happy hour first!
