Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Local Mexican restaurant serves authentic food
Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant serves food inspired by Mexico City’s fare
In Northwest Arkansas there is some stiff competition amongst restaurants. This area is fortunate enough to have many options when it comes to food from several cultures and countries around the world, but Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant stands out amongst all the rest. The atmosphere, incredible food and pleasant service create a dining experience like no other. Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant was created when Gabriela Gonzalez decided to pursue her dream of opening up her own restaurant. Gabriela’s dream came to fruition in 2003 when she opened up a restaurant in Prairie Grove. Several years later, after many requests asking for a restaurant closer to Fayetteville, Gabriela opened up a second location in Farmington. The Farmington restaurant was originally planned to be a few miles from where the restaurant actually ended up on Main Street. When a different location became available in a highly desirable area only two miles from Interstate 540, Gabriela and her team knew they had to move forward with it, so they seized the opportunity.
The building was also ideal due to its structure. It is a large restaurant with an open, spacious dining room, tall ceilings, and wide arch transitions that create separate dining areas. The Farmington location of Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant also includes a covered back patio for outdoor seating and offers alcoholic beverages. The drink menu includes domestic and Mexican beer, wine, margaritas and sangria. The delicious food comes from authentic Mexican recipes, which originate from Mexico City. The menu items vary and there are plenty of options. The menu includes many traditional Mexican cuisine items, such as tamales, burritos, enchiladas and tacos, but there are also items that are not so commonly found in our area. The house-made dessert menu includes fun, delicious oddities like fried ice cream. The drink menu offers a traditional-style Agua de Horchata, a sweet rice water drink with seasonings like cinnamon added. For sides, one can go with traditional Mexican fare like rice, beans and guacamole, or take an American-style side by ordering french fries. While most of the cuisine is
Mexican, there are some American-style offerings, mostly on the kid’s menu, which include chicken fingers and burgers in addition to some Mexican food options. For lighter fare, there are plenty of delicious salads on the menu, including a shrimp salad, a guacamole salad, or a heartier fajita or taco salad. The prices at Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant are just as great as the food, due to their inexpensive nature and the large amount of food that comes with each order. Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant lunch specials are a great example of this. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. you can get items like a beef burrito with chili meat, two enchiladas, or a taco and tostado, all served with a side of rice and beans for under 5 dollars. After lunch hours, these menu items are still available for only $1.50 more. The lunch menu is quite extensive too. There are a total of 21 specialty priced items including Chile Verde or Colorado, shrimp quesadillas, flautas, fajitas, tacos, chimichangas, burritos and enchiladas. All of the food at Gabriela’s is prepared and newly made each day, even the soups, the salsas, the chips and the guacamole are all made fresh each day. Gabriela’s saying is, “We prepare your food with the finest ingredients to provide you with the best meal around.” Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant is a fan-favorite here in Northwest Arkansas for that very reason. The fine ingredients are freshly prepared in each new meal giving customers the best possible experience. The combination of delicious food, a fun and welcoming atmosphere and top-notch service makes Gabriela’s Mexican Grill restaurant one that can not be missed, and a true restaurant gem in this little corner of the Natural State. Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant in Farmington and also in the Prairie Grove location is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday. Catering is available, just call for more details. For more information, call Gabriela’s Mexican Grill in Prairie Grove at (479) 846-3211or Gabriela’s Mexican Grill in Farmington at (479) 267-3211. Visit Gabriela’s Mexican Grill Restaurant in Prairie Grove at 121 N. Pittman St. or at the Farmington location at 330 East Main St.