By Jack Bradley

“Do y’all want to go to dinner at this Mexican restaurant in Carytown?” Matthew Jenkins (‘23) asked T Rigby (‘23) and I over the summer. We drove around Carytown looking for this Mexican restaurant, and then we found it: Jalapeños Mexican Grill. Jenkins, Rigby, and I enjoyed the delicious food so much that we turned our one trip into a weekly outing. By our third trip, the owner even knew our orders by heart. Recently, due to their recent renovations and school, we have not been able to go there as often. 

Inside Jalapeños Mexican Grill.

Many Collegiate students love El Caporal Family Mexican Restaurant, but I consider Jalapeños Mexican Grill to be Carytown’s hidden gem. Jalapeños is a small restaurant on West Cary Street: it has just five tables and a bar area. From the outside, it looks like a run-down restaurant, but Jenkins says, “their food makes up for anything they lack in looks.” The delicious food and the fact that not many people know about Jalapeños makes it even more enjoyable. 

Steak Quesadilla Fajita.

Saturday, October 9, Robby Aboud (‘23) and I went back to Jalapeños for dinner. When we walked in, we were able to find an open table, and the service was quick. I ordered the Chicken Quesadilla Fajita, and we got guacamole for the table. The guacamole was freshly made and tasted better than your typical Mexican restaurant guacamole. The Chicken Quesadilla Fajita was to die for. Just looking at the food made my mouth water. The first bite into the quesadilla was like the first time trying Mexican food. The chicken was perfectly cooked, with a great spread and portion of the fajita.  The quesadilla came with chicken and fajita inside a tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream on the side. I always put the lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream into the quesadilla, which makes the quesadilla ten times better. 

The environment at Jalapeños is just much like your typical Mexican restaurant: they have Mexican music playing in the background, and the staff is welcoming. If you are looking for a quick and delicious Mexican meal, I would recommend you try out Jalapeños. The servers place the complimentary chips and dip on the table as soon as you sit down, and it feels like the food comes out almost immediately after you order. You don’t always have to have a fast meal at Jalapeños, though. When I go into Jalapeños, my friends and I are always looking to have a fun time. We enjoy spending time there and catching up with one another. 

Jalapeños has never let me or my friends down on a great meal. Rigby’s go-to meal is the Steak Quesadilla. He says, “Jalapeños is the undisputed sleeper restaurant.” Jenkins orders the Chicken Con Queso, which he says “is by far the best option on the menu.” All of my friends who have tried Jalapeños say that their food is amazing.

Outside of Jalapeños Mexican Grill.

I like Jalapeños because of the food, atmosphere, and the location. Everything that my friends and I have had is tasty, and I have not heard one complaint from any of them. On Yelp, Jalapeños Mexican Grill has 98 reviews, for an average of four and a half stars out of five.

Whatever you get, I am certain you will like. I love the atmosphere that Jalapeños provides. There’s something about it that makes you want to keep coming back. The relationships we have formed, the delicious food, and the great times I have had there makes me choose Jalapeños over any other Mexican restaurant. No matter who you are, Jalapeños is the place for you. The location around Jalapeños is perfect. Even though the parking might be difficult, it is still worth it. Jalapeños is in the heart of Carytown, making it a great spot  for people looking to walk to stores or dessert locations after a meal. 

All photos by Jack Bradley.