Jalapeño Fresh Grill — Restaurant in Marion

I absolutely adore Jalapeños ! They deserve 6 or 7 stars. Their food is THE VERY BEST Tasting Mexican food I’ve ever had bar none. A very very distant 2nd is an outstanding authentic Mex Restaurant out near Santa Barbara California where they hand grind the corn to make the tortillas. But even they can’t touch Jalapeños. Nope...no sir.

Honestly, I am usually disappointed when I eat out at Mexican Restaurants because the food is bland and uninspired. Same old same old....”I’ll have the #3....”. And one restaurants #3 is EXACTLY like the other restaurants #12, etc. And I can easily prepare better tasting Mexican food at home myself. So that’s what I do. I cook my own. And I’ve gotten quite good at it.

Jalapeños on the other hand....Oooooh this is my Mecca. My Halley’s Comet of Mexican Restaurants. Their food, served up in unusually large portions fit for a king, is NOT bland nor uninspired. No sir. Oh it tastes so goooood. Hey, I’m passing on culinary wisdom here. If you love Mexican food, then buy a map, draw a straight line from wherever you are at right now directly to Marion NC, then DRIVE ! Go to Jalapeños. You can check into your hotel later....

I live all the way up north in Pittsburgh Pa ! I live nowhere near NC. But there have been moments when I’m tempted to drive the 8-9 hrs just for a dinner seating at Jalapeños. I’ve actually made excuses to go down to NC just for the added opportunity of the very best Mexican food I’ve ever had. A meal at Jalapeños. My mouths watering.

The ingredients are FRESH !! The first time I ate at Jalapeños one of the items on my turkey platter sized plate included a huge Poblano Pepper stem sticking out at me. Like it was just picked !! I was pleasantly shocked by the overall food quality. I ate until my eyes popped out of their sockets. All of the items were individually the best tasting I’ve ever had. ALL ! Chips & Salsa straight thru the main course items of which there were many included on my selected dish. This is NOT your average “Beans and Rice” restaurant. You will be shocked.

I’ve only been to Jalapeños three times in my life. I feel cheated.

If you live near this restaurant you are blessed. If you are from out of town and are driving near this restaurant, you are temporarily blessed. Make good on it. Take my advice - Go there - Eat :). But put your game face on....portions=huge. Do yourself a favor ~ show up really hungry. Fast if you can.....you’re in for an eye opening treat. All other Mexican Restaurants should be bull dozed.

God Bless this...

Delicious. The atmosphere wasn't over the top or anything like with the fanciful attributes and decor I'm use to with many other Mexican restaurants but there was still a touch of something special, as far as that goes. I mean it was charming enough. For the food, again, it was delish, yes. Kids menu is good and ny husband tried Carne asadas for the 1st time. I had a Salad that was way better than I expected. Everything mexican style just subtle enough in what was called a Romaine Salad. For just under 7 bucks too! Our waitress was super extra sweet and had the nicest voice. Othet staff helped when needed. It's nice to see people working together. Salsa bar, of course. It was somewhat limited but all of it was very good so it didn't matter. Free bean dip with chips and you get your other salsas yourself at bar. Home made chips were flavorful and crisp. Not too burnt or thick. Yum. Just so good. We were leaving around 8 and everyone was out of the kitchen and off the floor eating together at a table. How cool is that. I highly recommend this place! Oh I almost forgot to tell you about the little sweet corn cake I believe it's made of hominy. It's on some of the plates you get. It's what has always kept me remembering this place after I visited once years ago...

I was taken back. Friends raved about this Mexican establishment and I was skeptical. I don't really care for Mexican, but I go to the restaurants for the wife. We've been to many, what would make this place particularly different?

We are welcomed by the most charismatic server, Ishmael, who I later learn is the owner's son. He is rolling joke after joke as he seats us. Really funny guy. Kids loved him. I enjoyed him too.

I asked for HIS recommendation. I like plenty to eat, no pork, not crazy about tomatoes, & like crispy textures. He brings me 3 hard shell chicken tacos too big for me to finish. These hard shells were made by hand and fried till crispy on the grill. It was amazing. I've have never had such an entree. The chicken in the taco was so tasty... extremely well seasoned.

Every plate was creatively served as if there was some Talent in the kitchen awaiting discovery. Come to find out... It's the Dad/Owner. They had other employees, but it was obvious who made the magic in this place.

We passed 2 Mexican restaurants on the way to Jalapeño Grill.

I would pass 20 & drive an honest hour to revisit this place. Absolutely remarkable!

I think The Travel Channel needs to survey this...