Hoover has a new spot for Mexican food
When you’re craving really good Mexican food, you want more than the standard chips-and-queso experience. (But to be clear, every good Mexican restaurant is judged by their salsa, queso, and chips…) Unfortunately, Hoover doesn’t have a ton of options.
A little over two years ago, Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante opened in the Village at Brock’s Gap, becoming the company’s third location across Alabama—and already, they have won multiple awards, including best Mexican restaurant in Hoover. Between their fresh food, expansive menu, great service, and genuinely fun atmosphere, you can see why it’s become such a popular spot. Here’s why it deserves a spot on your Hoover restaurant rotation.
- The food tastes seriously fresh
It’s one thing to think the guacamole tastes fresh—and it’s an entirely different experience when they roll the guac cart up to your table and make it right in front of you. Talk about the next level! You can even choose if you want them to add lime, jalapeño, tomato, onion, and cilantro. The other foods are also fresh: the tres leches cake is a fully traditional Mexican recipe that is made in-house every day—and sometimes sells out by lunch! (Scroll to the bottom for more dessert details.)
And oh, the quesabirria… piping hot, and not something you’ll see at just any Mexican restaurant. Which of course leads me to their tortillas, which are hand-rolled in-house. You really can taste it, too. (Bonus: They put four tortillas in each fajita order, so if you’re splitting, you each get two!)
- There really is something for everyone
One of the things that makes Phil Sandoval’s special is the sheer variety of their menu. “We like to feed people,” says Eduardo, the General Manager. While they have your classic Tex-Mex like fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, they also serve traditional and specialty Mexican flavors like quesabirria, carnitas, chile relleno, and pollo en mole. They recently added several bowl options as well (think Chipotle-style), offering guests a great healthier choice. They also have multiple vegetarian options, salads, and even soups!
- It’s just as much about the experience
Picture it: bright colored hanging umbrellas, a wall of sparkling sombreros, dangling piñatas… the entire space is colorful and welcoming. It invites you in to sit and stay for a while. “It’s a good environment,” explains Eduardo. “We tried to make the setup like a little market. You’re not going to find a place like this in Hoover.”…