Besitos Mexican Kitchen

Tonight was the first time visiting this restaurant. Between Anniston and Oxford, there are so many Mexican establishments but this one by far is my favorite. As soon as we walked in and were sat, we were welcomed by our waitress. Kate gets 10 stars if that was a thing! She was attentive and knowledgeable. She gave recommendations when asked and was fun and witty. The food was plentiful and flavorful. I had a fajita bowl with Mexican Spaghetti which is completely out of my norm. I am so glad I did. My son and husband enjoyed it as well. Definitely a new favorite!

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 serve her family.

Salsa tastes so good. Los Arcos salsa tastes like plain tomato sauce. Besitos salsa is so delicious. Menu items are more creative than the typical chain , cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. Prices are very good.