Besitos Mexican Kitchen — Restaurant in Anniston

My husband and I were thrilled to learn this week that Besitos--one of Anniston's finest places for Mexican food--no longer closes in the afternoon. We tend to eat our major meal of the day around 3pm, and we have already eaten there twice in four days, now that we can.

The first visit, I had a delicious Fajita Taco Salad with steak, succulent yellow bell peppers, and a perfect cheese sauce. My husband had a trio of chicken enchiladas in delicious corn tortillas with a fried egg on top (a signature of Besitos on several dishes). He got luscious charro beans as a side. Unfortunately, we lost that photo, but it was gorgeous. Their regular salsa is more generous with the cumin than most places, and that makes it addictive. They have thin chips!

Today we went back to sample their new dish called Milanesa--launched as part of Downtown Anniston's Restaurant Week. They plan to keep it on the menu, but just in case, get yours now. It's a breast of chicken, butterflied with light breading, and pan-fried--smothered with garden fresh vegetables (tomatoes, mushrooms, grilled onions, and peppers) and melted cheese. You get a side of Mexican street corn OFF the cob, with fresh lime to give it the most wonderful tang. And they add avocado slices to a salad with romaine lettuce. And there is a mouth-watering tomatilla salsa for most of us, and for those who like the spicy heat, ask for the jalapeno salsa. The chicken entree is huge. We came home with enough for another full meal. So believe me, its $17 price tag is a bargain.

The food, all by itself, is a reason to go downtown and find this place, but let me tell you what else I love about it. It's family-owned, with the owner doing the cooking. His recipes are from his grandmother, mother, and his own experiments with what delights people. He drives two hours every day to get the finest produce, and you taste it. But here's what renders Besitos worthy of our business even more: They have rescued one of our historic downtown spaces, becoming part of our celebrated downtown revitalization.

For all who are driving down I-20, wondering where you want to eat, YES, it's worth the four miles up Quintard Boulevard, and a few blocks over to Noble Street. This is the heart of an old city with lovely new uses. There's parking on the street in front and plenty in the back. This isn't beans-mushed-up-with-lard Mexican food. It's what a Mexican grandmother would...

Phenominal! Bite after bite, the food held up. Tremendous flavor. Presentation, atmosphere and service were impecable. They ARE authentic! Carne asada, al pastor, tortas, pozole, tortilla soup, amazing salads, empanadas, street tacos, on and on... Two drawbacks: I wasn't crazy about the horchata; it resembled the drink, but it was a bit off. Maybe more condensed milk. Also, they offer cilantro rice, which sounds awesome, but turned out bland. Recommend more cilantro, a lot more, and lime juice.

Update:

Two days later, we went back. Isabelle is a gem of a waitress. She loves and believes in her restaurant. She, too, is amazed by the flavorful food. Like most Southerners, she hadn't experienced AUTHENTIC mexican flavor and has been blown away to the point that she's a believer, and she wants others to see what they have been missing!

I've now been twice, and I'm going again tonight. I've tried 10 dishes, and all were 5 stars except the cilantro rice and based on my previous comment, they're improving it. As for the horchata, they have that fixed as well. It tastes now like authentic horchata. As for my #1 recommendation, get the grilled vegetables. Everyone I've taken are astounded by the flavor of that side dish. As for my #2: everything else. I'm so confident by what and how much that I've tasted, that I'd recommend anything that they serve.

Ask for a salsa sample. All are extremely delicious and deversified. The habenaro sauce is very hot, good, but the others are more flavorful. Sausa de amor (sauce of love) is not hot at all, but incredible and everyone's favorite.

As for a helpful critique, I'd ask customers if they prefer grilled and sliced jalapenos or pickled jalapenos. I have only been served pickled, but grilled are so much better, yet not everyone can handle the heat of a fresh pepper.

In only my second visit, they rate 5 stars, and if you've been following me, few restaurants rate 5 stars by me. This restaurant has blown...

I had lunch at Benito's Mexican Kitchen while on business in the area. I love small downtowns and was excited to try the restaurant. (On a side note, the downtown needs a little work, but has so much potential!)

Vibe: The restaurant is comfortable, it's open and airy with high ceilings, and there are lots of plants which add some warmth. I think the restaurant, like downtown has alot of potential from a design and decor standpoint as it's a bit cavernous and overall it's empty. It was busy, which added to the vibe. I also noticed there wasn't a sign in front on the street, but there was one at the back entrance.

Food: The Chips & Salsa were good - nothing extraordinary - but fresh. I had the lunch combination with two items. For my combo I had the Chile Relleno (an extra $2 charge) and the Jalapeño Tamale. The Chile Relleno had good flavor and was well prepared. I was a little disappointed with the Tamale - mainly due to the fact that it wasn't as light and fluffy as I like, it was a bit dense and hard. They also used a firmer cheese - I think perhaps Panela - which wasn't my favorite as I would have liked a cheese with a little melt. The jalapeños were fresh and added a good flavor. I had the Black Beans (as they are made without meat) which had good flavor. The Mexican Rice - well, let's just say I wish I could get a great rice at a Mexican restaurant - it was what we have come to expect and not great in my opinion. For beverages, I wish they had a broader selection of Jarritos - they only had two flavors - but I was ok with the Lime.

Service: It was very attentive, super friendly and knowledgeable. Everything you hope for.

If you are in Anniston, it's certainly...