The Mexican Camel- Review

Disclaimer: I understand this is a horrible picture. I didn't get any good pictures but I still wanted to leave a review. Next time I'll get better pictures. 

Now that the wife and I are both working from home, we like to escape and do little day dates every once in a while. I saw someone post something about The Mexican Camel on Instagram, and I loved the name. I have a thing about names. I don't like things with weird names or names that make me uncomfortable.

Cheddars, for example. I've been there and loved it, but I really don't like that name. It sounds gross to me. Krispy Kreme is on the fence for me because the double K's aren't necessary. Light the torches. Send the mob. I know, I know. I just can't get behind it. And then there is anything that ends in world or land. Shoe land? Really? You couldn't think of anything more creative than that? Disney is the exception, obviously.

Anyway, back to The Mexican Camel. We met some friends there for lunch today. It was tucked in the back of a touristy shopping center on I-drive. The inside was cute, very colorful, and plenty of seating, but nothing really Instagram worthy. And aren't all restaurants supposed to base their designs on insta-worthiness? Yeah, I thought so. Overall experience and aesthetics of the place: 3 out of 5

Now if you know me, you know I love me some Chipotle. The cilantro lime rice. All the toppings. Guac for days (yes I know it's extra) and the chips for dipping. So when I heard it was like Chipotle with a little flair, I was all about it. The flair that makes The Mexican Camel different from Chipotle is the Mediterranean options. I like that you can go full on Mexican with the barbacoa and salsa and guac and cheese. Or you can channel your inner Greek and go to town with the pita, pickled turnips, lentil rice, and tzatziki. Or you can go crazy and mix it all up. I love options, so I was all about it. It's important to know that while I love to have options; I don't always take advantage of all of the options. So there, in line at The Mexican Camel, I gave them my exact Chipotle order.

Chicken
White rice
Black beans
Mild salsa
Corn
Sour cream
Cheese
Guac

Sarah went with the more Mediterranean side of things, and our total (with my soft drink) came to $25. I guess my chicken kabobs were a specialty option.

We sat by the window and had an effortless hour long conversation with our dear friends. Half of the table was mostly listening, so we were able to eat our food. The two talkers barely touched theirs but got their lunch to go.

Overall, I'm not sure I'd go again. Maybe I should try the Med side and leave my Chipotle order to the pros. At Chipotle. The bowl was good, but pretty bland. I tried squeezing some limes all over it but it really just tasted like plain white rice and chicken. It wasn't bad, and I ate it all, it just didn't wow my socks off (as the cools kids say.) 

And I'm sure PETA and the US Environmental Agency and NASA and the Men In Black and The League Of Turtle Supports will love this part, but The Mexican Camel gave out paper straws. I get it, save the turtles. But I'm not a fan of drinking my fizzy drink out of a soggy piece of paper.

This review feels negative, but I don't mean it to be. I feel like I'd give it another chance and maybe get a pita with chicken, and tomato cucumber salad, and feta cheese. I bet that would be awesome.

Overall, I'd give The Mexican Camel a 3 out of 5. I loved my lunch date with my wife and my friends, and am thankful for an afternoon out of the house and good conversations. Oh and the free warm churros. That was a plus.

Have you been to the Mexican Camel?

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