Pollo con Crema   Manager Roy Martinez   Booths are covered to create the illusion of a terrace.

The tasty fare at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant in Denver is a real find for anyone looking for the spicy flavors of good Tex-Mex cooking.

Manager Roy Martinez says the Denver location has been open for six years, and the restaurant is one of several locations in the region (including Lincolnton, Thomasville, Albemarle and Troy). The name Mazatlan is the same as the famous resort city on the Gold Coast of western Mexico that’s a popular tourist destination. You can find it on the large map of Mexico that adorns one wall of the eatery.

The extensive menu offers a wide range of light to hearty lunch options as well as a good selection of vegetarian choices.

Our visit

This was the first Out to Lunch for new Lake Norman Magazine Editor Dan Duffey and the final official Out to Lunch for retiring Editor Carol-Faye Ashcraft.

The scene

The neutral walls and tabletops are a nice backdrop for some colorful Mexican/Latino art. The booths on the right side of the restaurant are covered to create the illusion of a terrace. Spanish music adds to the atmosphere.

The fare

New Editor Dan tried the lunch Burrito Fajita ($6) covered with cheese sauce and a spicy red sauce over it. “The mixture of cheese and the red sauce was excellent,” he says.

Advertising Manager Pam Cook also got the lunch burrito with chicken. “I was impressed with the moistness of the chicken,” she says. “Peppers and onions cooked with the chicken which made it very flavorful.”

Carol-Faye’s choice was the Enchiladas Mazatlan ($4.50). “The two, well-packed, tasty chicken enchiladas were smothered in queso sauce,” she says, “which also is good for chip dipping. The cheese sauce adds just enough tang to set off the chicken. I substituted refried beans for the rice side dish. They are tasty and also make a great dip for chips. The cheese sauce adds just enough tang to set off the chicken.”

Sales Coordinator Rebecca Schultz ordered the “make your own lunch combination” and chose the chicken enchilada and chicken taco ($5.50). “Both the enchilada and taco were very tasty,” she reports. “I appreciated the option of beef, chicken or cheese fillings in my entrée. The portions were perfect for lunch.”

The group split an order of the churros ($3) for a taste of something sweet for dessert. The deep-fried strips have a cinnamon doughnuty taste and are enhanced with a side of whipped cream for dipping. “This is a nice end to the meal when you don’t want something large and heavy,” Carol-Faye says.

Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant

The service
Servers are attentive without hovering. The food for our group arrived quickly, and, as Pam says, “I guess that keeps you from getting too stuffed on the yummy chips.”

The check
Lunch only (11 a.m.-3 p.m.): “Make your own lunch combo” $4.50-$6.50. Daily lunch specials include nachitos, $4.75; Arroz con Pollo, $4.50; Enchiladas Mazatlan, $4.50; Mexican Cheese Steak, $5.75; Dos Taquitos, $4.50, Chicken salad, $5.99; tortilla soup, $2.99; quesadillas, $5.99; burritos, $3.99-$6.99. Regular lunch items, such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas and fajitas range from $5-$9.50. Appetizers, $1-$9.50.
Desserts, $2.50-$5.

The details

• Address: 7917 Natalie Commons Drive, Denver
• Contacts: 704-489-0454
• Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday,
• Seats: 140
• Payment: VISA and MasterCard