A habit forming experience! (Chiquito)

Member Name: stickywicket

Product:	Chiquito
Date:	30/05/01 (1035 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent food, Very child friendly

Disadvantages: None

I have this habit that I really enjoy - eating, and I really enjoy it when someone else is cooking it. So on a sunny Bank Holiday (there's three words not usually seen together!) after a trip to the local Warner cinema, and judging hubby's relaxed mood I suggested a table for four at one of the three theme restaurants on offer at Valley Park, Croydon.

Fatty Arbuckles was definetly out, (see op!) so it was a choice of Frankie and Benny's or Chiquitos, the former was actually a preffered choice after reading many favourable reports on this very site, but the blackboard outside Chiquitos positively encouraged families in and at few pence cheaper than F & B's.

As soon as we stepped in our 6 year old started dancing to the mexican beat! We were met by a smiling host in this brightly coloured welcoming eaterie, shown to our table and presented with the laminated menus. Floorboards and terracotta walls 3 ft high sectioning off areas of the restaurant, allowing privacy on corner tables and creating pathways to the bar, toilets and kitchen, this restaurant has an extremely relaxed atmostphere, the music played at just the right level to be heard but not drown out any conversation, cacti, figurines, masks, rifle holders and other nic naks adourn the high walls.

So what does a Mexican theme restaurant in South London have to offer other than Chilli and Nachos? Well let's start with the children, for £3.50 they have a choice of 4oz burger, fishfingers, pizza or chicken fingers then for £4.50 a mini chimichanger, a quarter of a BBQ chicken or even ribs all served with fries, BBQ beans and a soft drink, the price also includes an ice cream. I thought that was very good value, when I saw the size of the kids meal I thought it was fantastic!

****Please note on the website the prices differ to the menu offered in Valley Park ***

Now the main menu, starters for around a fiver including potato skins, chicken wings or ev
en chilli poppers - Deep fried breadcrumbed green chillis stuffed with cream cheese and served with a sweet jalapeno jelly - something that would scare the life out of me to be honest (and I can assure you Lamorna has just fainted at the thought!) The main course has offerings of nachos, burgers, fajitas, chimichangas, burritos and ribs all under a tenner, there lots of combination dishes to share aswell. I'm not doing it much justice here but the full descriptive version is available on the website www.chiquito.co.uk.

The drinks available include all the usual bottled beers with draught available too. Now call me a tight wad but why oh why do all these restaurants charge £2.50 for a bottle of lager? Draught Stella was £2.60 a pint, it doesn't make sense to me!
Our waiter approaches asking us what we would like to drink with a James Belushi sound alike voice, at first he directs the question to us and then seeing our two boys, kneels down to ask each of them what they would like to eat and drink, this was really appreciated and made the children feel a little bit special.

So children happy, we ordered the Chicken Fajita sandwich at £7.25, which comes with fries etc.

One toilet trip required for both offspring and Daddy obliges, and as you'd expect the food arrives, the waiter immiediatly asks if I should return the food to the kitchen until they return, thanks but they would only be seconds I told him. Looking at my 4 year olds plate I was surprised, his hamburger was as big as a Big Mac. and obviously looked more inviting, my other sons pizza was just as big and both had a small separate ramekin dish of beans (appreciated as one child hates getting it 'all messed up!'). Our Chicken Fajita sandwiches were just as inviting with the fries seasoned with cayenne pepper or something to give them a kick.

All food was quickly demolished and very much enjoyed, the chidren were then presented with average siz
ed ice creams of various flavours. Now Iam not a lunchtime dessert person, neither is hubby, so I can't comment on this aspect, but suffice to say the names like apple cielito with descriptions such as :

A rolled tortilla with our special apple mix,deep fried until golden and topped with caramel sauce.
Served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream could certainly tempt me!
The service was absolutley excellent and the food to die for,the bill came to £25 ensuring my habit is continuing in good form, and not as yet breaking the bank.

Summary: