Cancun Mexican Grille, North Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale

Recently we went to a new Mexican restaurant that took over the old Steak & Ale building near our house. I was sad to see S & A close. I really liked their salad bar, and they had great burgers. For lunch you could get a coke and a burger for $5. You couldn't beat it. But then hard times hit and Steak & Ale (as well as Bennigan's, apparently owned by the same company) closed down. All of them. And the building sat empty for almost two years. Even the nearby Bennigan's building stood empty until TD Bank bought it, knocked it down, and is in the process of building a bank branch in its spot.

I was delighted to see a sign on the old Steak & Ale building advertising a new, Mexican restaurant was opening soon. We have no shortage of Mexican places near us, and most are very good, so I was excited to see a new one on the block. I could eat Mexican every day, so it's nice to spread the love among a handful of good places to eat.

When we arrived at the restaurant (for lunch), we remarked how much it still looked like Steak & Ale inside. They kept all the furniture, the things on the wall, I bet the salad bar is still in there somewhere. I actually liked it, because of my fondness for S & A. Our fun ended there, though. The chips they brought us were tri-colored, and while fun to look at, they left a funny taste in my mouth, I think due to the dye in the chips. And many Mexican places have both hot and mild salsas. We both always eat the hot and leave the mild. They only have one salsa here, and that is fine. The salsa wasn't bad, but for hot salsa lovers like we are, it was a little disappointing. And with the strange tasting chips, it was a let down. I ordered a cheese quesadilla and Steven ordered soft tacos. Both of these items were on the lunch menu, and every Mexican restaurant down here always gives you rice and beans with the meal. My entree didn't come with anything, which was a bummer because I really love the rice. Steven said his meal was OK, but neither of us were particularly blown away. They should include the beans and rice with all Mexican entrees, especially since the other places do.

All in all, it was just OK. We didn't hate it, but we probably won't go back. They are in a great location and the building is huge, so they will probably be fine, but if anyone has been to a Mexican restaurant in south Florida and then goes here, they might be a little let down.

Cancun Mexican Grille, North Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale