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Orales is most definitely the best Mexican restaurant in Asheville and the surrounding areas. We have already been there several times, and each time has been Excellent. Orales is a local family owned restaurant, not a chain, which is always a plus. The whole family works there. Everyone there is extremely nice and accommodating. The wait never has been long at all. It's a big and very attractive restaurant. They never rush you so you can have a nice relaxing meal. The Top Shelf Margaritas are absolutely excellent, especially when they are prepared by Teresa. Teresa is the mother of the family and is one of the very nicest people you could ever meet. Anyway, back to the food, the chips, bean dip, queso, and salsa bar are all great. As far as entrees go, so far, we have had the chicken, shrimp, and steak fajitas (Texas Fajitas), the #4 Combo, the Bandera Enchiladas, and the 3 Meat Burrito. All have been Excellent! My favorites are the 3 Meat Burrito and Texas Fajitas. The portions are large and the food is fresh. It's not like some other Mexican restaurants where something like the Fajitas comes out in 3 minutes on a sizzling skillet, but you can tell they were prepared earlier and put in a microwave. I highly recommend Orales and cannot say enough good things about them. The only thing I don't like is that this is another one of those restaurants that charge for not paying with cash.
UPDATE: Orales is still as great of a restaurant as when they opened. Everything I said in my original review is still true except they may even be better now. We usually get the Texas Margaritas now and they are great. We always ask for Erika and a booth. She is great and never rushes us. A big plus in my opinion since we enjoy taking our time when eating out! We have been getting the Carne Asada sometimes instead of the Fajitas, but both are great. They have the best Carne Asada of any...
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I live about 16 miles from this amazing restaurant. The service is impeccable. The food is beyond fresh. I try to come here at least twice a month for the food, ambiance, and drink.
Service today was at the bar, the bartender, Bryan, provided friendly and thorough service. His Top Shelf Texas Margaritas were delicious, flavorful, and made quickly! Bryan made amazing suggestions, spoke to us about the food preparation, and entertained us with friendly banter, encouraging me to practice my Spanish, which I was happy to oblige!
The food arrived quickly, hot, well presented, and delicious! I cannot speak enough about the freshness of the meat, the vegetables, and the bread. So absolutely well presented and received. I try to bring friends every time in order to expand their horizons on the local Mexican food scene. Orales being my absolute favorite and the only Mexican food I will eat! To be honest, every other place is subpar and everyone I have brought here has said the same…Orales is THE best!
I cannot say enough good things about this hidden gem! The bathrooms are clean, the bar is unique and amazingly comfortable, and decor is really whimsical and comfortable!
While I am at it, I overheard another customer making grumbles but her review is pure crap!
Orales forever!!!! We...
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I just had my first experience here tonight.
Just for perspective, our family eats Mexican cuisine at least once a week at one of the local Asheville restaurants. My wife's spirit animal is a taco holding a beer. It's our jam. We love the food, and having the people that prepare it as our neighbors. It's always very good, but this was different.
When we arrived, I asked my server (I think he said his sister was the owner) for a recommendation, and he said to order the Birria, it's like a quesadilla but has a dipping sauce. I'm glad I took his recommendation.
The Birria was slow cooked, homemade goodness. It was like the food only grandmothers make. It was too good to be true. I felt like that food critic in the movie "Ratatouille" when he had flashbacks to his childhood.
I was shook. It was that good. A $15 dollar meal that gave me the feels? Like emotional over some food?
In short, I've had meals that cost much, much more at the latest trendy Asheville restaurants that would not compare. It was a meal so good that I hesitate to return, because it can never live up to its own memory.
GET THE BIRRIA. Thank me later.
Oh yeah, it's family owned, as if you needed another reason to...
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