Guajillo’s The Shortcut to Mexico — Restaurant in Castle Hills

I have been driving past this place for years (my office used to be right down the road from it), but I never stopped in until I learned that they are serving up authentic Mexican food with a kick. That starts with their salsa which really brings a burn. It is tomatillo-based, and has a good tang and acidity along with an earthiness and some sweetness. It is close to hot on my scale and some may struggle with it. But I would order it by the pint if they sell it that way.

I asked my waiter about spicy dishes on the menu and he recommended Asado de Puerco (Pork in Spicy Pepper Sauce). That delivered tender chunks of meat that were well-cooked and flavorful and covered in a tasty sauce. The Spicy Pepper Sauce has some tomato tang and just a bit of sweetness along with a touch of earthiness. It also delivers a nice kick getting close to Medium on my scale. They also brought some fresh-made corn tortillas, and those are great for making a little taco with the meat (add some beans in there as well) or just sopping up the sauce.

My wife ordered the Bisteces en Chile Pasilla (Thin Sliced Steack in Pasilla Pepper Sauce), and my fork certainly ended up in her plate to try several bites. It had super-thin and super-tender slices of steak that were cooked just right and drenched in the dark brown sauce. It actually looks like a mole, but it is based on dried pasilla chilis, and it has a rich, earthy taste with a heat level approaching Medium.

They had plenty more to try on the menu, and I will certainly be making some return trips. The waiters were very friendly and helpful and got our food out to us quite quickly despite the fact that the place was packed. You may have to wait if you go at a busy time, but it is worth it, and I definitely enjoyed my...

I use to go often with my wife and kids but this is the last time. The waitress dropped the menus but we noticed that she picked up orders from other tables that arrived later than us, then i noticed that other guests were friends of the manager ( that is a common practice in Mexico) We order a chile relleno and tacos but the waitress ask us if we want from the “happy hour” so we said yes, is ok. I never try to save money or try to pay less because when you go out for dinner, you have to spend to satisfy your appetite. When i got my chile relleno it came out with no rice or bens, not even tortillas, so what is the reason of the “happy hour”? My wife tacos were cold and just little “extra queso” that she ordered on her tacos. We had to order rice, beans and tortillas for my “chile relleno” that was just bland and with little cheese inside besides that it was cold, my wife tacos were cold too. We used to like there but never ordered from that “stupid” happy hour menu that the waitress offered to us. Also the tortillas never came on time. She brought the tortillas to the table when i finish my plate. Many or all of the Mexican restaurants offered a “daily special” menu but they provide you the same plate, they don't reduce portions or eliminate items, you eat good for $1 or $2 dollar less. Then when i told the waitress that everything was bad and that we had a bad experience, she said “ok, talk with my manager, he may give you a discount” ( I felt so humiliated with those words) we never expect to get a discount. When we approach the “manager” he said how was everything? Then we tried to explain the problem and he just said “sorry guys, im busy. Have things to do” and walk away.........seriously? We never ever will return there sny...

For you Roger Creager fans out there, you know that it’s a “long way to Mexico” but I am now letting you know that I have found the official “shortcut to Mexico!”

This place is not your typical Tex-Mex fare, instead it is more of the style of food from the Mexico City region.

It all started innocently enough with the usual chips and salsa brought to the table. I was like, “yeah, ok, I know the drill.” Then I tasted the salsa and was like “what???” I have never had salsa that tasted this good – it was different than any I have tried around SA. They brought the heat and they brought it good. But it wasn’t just about the heat – it had quite a different taste to it. Someone at the table suggested it was probably made with tomatillos. I think they were right, but there was something else going on that gave it an awesome flavor. I just can’t pinpoint it.

I had the Pollo a la Mexicana chicken breast that was served with a serrano/tomato sauce over it. It wasn’t spicy, but it was muy bien! The rice and beans that accompanied it were also perfect.

Someone was nice enough to let me taste their mole verde – I’m not a fan of the regular style of mole, but this was REALLY, REALLY good. I recommend it.

Drink situation: Yes, they have beer, and they have margaritas. Not sure of the rest of the liquor setup though.

Service: was awesome and very friendly. I like that.

Plenty of seating, nice clean place, plenty of parking – if the front lot gets full, look for the signs pointing toward the back lot.

It’s right on the corner of Blanco and 410, so it can be tough to get over to the correct lane quick enough, depending on which direction you are...