Mariachi's - Gulf Breeze

When my mom first mentioned trying this place, my husband and I weren’t so sure. She said the parking lot was always stuffed, and it has been open only for a couple of months (6-20-08). But it had been a long time since we had been to a truly good Mexican restaurant, so we went expecting the usual mediocre fare. Boy, were we surprised! The parking lot looked full, though we didn’t look at the whole thing. We just parked next door at the home interiors store that had closed at 5. When we walked in, we were immediately seated, even though the place was very busy. We sat in the farthest dining area, which is probably the best place, since it is quite noisy in the front where the desk is. The decor is pretty much as expected of a Mexican restaurant, which is fine, since it is really the service and the food which shine here. As you look over the menu, your server brings you fresh-made tortilla chips and fresh salsa. Our first visit, he also brought guacamole (again, made right there) and some sort of delicious, white cheese sauce. One way I judge Mexican food is by the guacamole, and theirs is fresh and wonderful! Our first server was very personable and accommodating, and was able to identify a food by the description we gave him. The second time, our server was more businesslike, but certainly not rude or abrupt. She also took our order entirely by memory (5 people) and brought it to us with no mistakes. Uncanny. They are very attentive, too. I don’t think anyone’s glass got half empty before she refilled it tonight. And I don’t think there was an empty seat in the place, so it wasn’t like she didn’t have anything to do. Both times we have come home with three large take-home plates. Their chips and dips can be purchased separately to take home as well… you can even drop in and buy those and leave. The fact that we went a second time says a lot about the place. This is not your average Mexican restaurant. These people pull out all the stops to give you authentic food to die for.