El Potrillo, Richmond

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The Pizza Hut on East Laburnum Avenue closed down, but this new Mexican restaurant has taken its place. With the bad luck I've had with Mexican restaurants which are not La Casita or Nacho Mama's, I was wary of going out on a limb. However, I'm glad I went to El Potrillo ("the colt" for those from Roxboro). The place was very tastefully decorated. Since my party was the only customer at the supper hour on a Tuesday night, the waiter was able to give us his undivided attention. The restaurant has just two problems. It isn't right on Laburnum Avenue so you really have to struggle to find it. Also, it doesn't yet have a website. The menu was so extensive it takes you almost as long to decide on what to order as it does to actually eat it. That's good because they offer all kinds of things and not just the standard combination platters you would find at an average Mexican restaurant.

Favorite Dish: I had the shrimp with garlic mojo served with Spanish rice and lettuce and tomato. The shrimp and the salad were great. The rice was flat, dry, and it had peas, carrots, and corn in it (not standard for Spanish rice). What helped it get more flavour was dumping the remaining salsa for the chips in it. Overall, it was a great meal and if this restaurant really gets its name out there, it could give La Casita and Nacho Mama's a run for their money.