I participate in the Restaurant.com #ReviewCrew and receive perks which allow me to dine with a discount at the restaurant of my choice.
As much as I love Mexican food, I hardly ever go to Mexican restaurants. They just don’t auto-pop in my mind when I’m thinking of places to eat, but I hit upon a superstar when I was out on a date the other night — Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant in New Bern, North Carolina.
The decor was warm and inviting and I liked it instantly upon walking inside.
But they hooked my heart the moment they plunked down a complimentary basket of tortilla chips and salsa.
I liked those chips so much that I ordered some queso too. (Rumor has it there was also a second basket of chips involved.)
One thing I love about Mexican restaurants is that it’s super easy to find vegetarian options, and even though I’m not a vegetarian, I eat like one a heck of a lot. So I ordered a cheese quesadilla with a side of Mexican rice.
Across the table from me was one man and two plates of Mexican goodness. He ordered burritos deluxe, re-fried beans and rice.
I don’t normally rave about the food in Mexican restaurants because it’s usually good, but not worth a flip. In this case everything was outstanding. The service was also friendly, responsive and efficient. I’ll definitely hit up Arturo’s again and again.
Psssst, I’ve been search-stalking the independent restaurants on Restaurant.com lately because I’ve been having such good luck with the places I find there.
New Bern is a charming waterside community and I wanted to take a little ride over there for dinner and a stroll for date night, and that’s why I picked Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant. Of course, I used a restaurant.com gift certificate to save on the check total too.
Do you have a favorite Mexican restaurant? What’s your favorite Mexican food?
HilLesha says
I have a couple of favorite Mexican restaurants in my area. I love Mexican food, especially veggie fajitas.
Dawn Lopez says
Okay yum!!! I need to get some of those tortillas like asap! I love.. adore Mexican cuisine.. this looks really authentic and fresh!
Marcie W. says
I LOVE Mexican food and I think that comes from being a West coast girl. We can drive just 4hrs to Southern California and experience the best Mexican food on the planet (even better than some I have had IN Mexico!)
Kristyn says
everything looks so amazing i want some now~
Dianna @ Oy Vey a Day says
I don’t eat a lot of Mexican food, but it is a nice treat to eat at a Mexican restaurant every so often. Plus, my hubby and kids love it. Arturo’s looks like a good one.
Maryann says
We eat at Mexican restaurants a lot because we can often find Gluten free options for my boys. I like the shrimp tacos on corn tortillas .
Kathleen says
Yum! That queso dip looks amazing, that is one of my big downfalls.
Lolo says
Oh my gosh, Arturos looks amazing! Now I am craving Mexican food!
Colleen says
I love Mexican and queso, looks like a lot of options. We recently went to a new Mexican restaurant here and my husband enjoyed it and he is not much of a Mexican peson.
Stephanie Person says
That queso looks delicious! My favorite thing is enchiladas!
Leilani says
Looks like a cute Mexican restaurant. We recently found one we like in our city. My favorite is beef enchiladas and steak burritos.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
That rice looks really, really good!
HilLesha says
I love Mexican food, and vegetarian fajitas are my absolute fave!
Shell Feis says
Looks yummy! I feel like we go to Mexican restaurants 9/10 times! Part of the reason is like you said, it’s easy to find vegetarian options. {I eat chicken, but even that is hard to find at some places.}
CiCi says
Nice date night indeed. My favorite Mexican food is carne asada taco. Of course with rice and beans.
MommaDJane says
I am so hungry now after looking at those photos. Our local Mexican restaurant offers some queso and chips that are gluten free so I’m happy! We might have to go today for lunch and eat some enchiladas.
Dee says
Yummy!! I LOVE Mexican food!! I’ll keep an eye out for one of these!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
I love Mexican food. I love chicken fajitas. We go to a restaurant here in LA called Mexicali all the time.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
I love, love , love Mexican food! My new favorite is Casa Marias. I would to try some more though!
bmanousou@gmail.com says
that looks so great!
thanks for sharing:)
xx
Angela says
I have a feeling I’ll be visiting my local Mexican restaurant this weekend. You’ve given me such a craving for burritios with this post.
Carmen's Coupon Blog says
I love mexican food (it helps that I am mexican lol) but I usually have to make he food my self at home since most of the time really good mexican restaurants are hard to find.. but if I ever go up to N. Carolina I will have to check this place out… In Naples I love Maria’s Restaurant their food is delish.. and my favorite food is Tacos.. de Pastor.. yummy… Ok now I am hungry and its your fault…
Debi says
That looks yummy. The rice is my favorite.
Courtney says
Mmmm I’m in love! I love mexican and could eat all of this myself 🙂
Cara says
Looks yummy! I love Mexican food, but like you I don’t automatically think of them when thinking of a place to eat.
Kiersten @ OMV says
We have been wanting to find the time to go to New Bern for a while now! At least when we do finally got out there, we’ll know where to eat. 🙂
My Inner Chick says
I want.
I want it ALLLLL.
My fave. Mexican Restaurants are the authentic places! Xx
Mel Cole says
Wow! What delicious foodies here! Nice restaurant and hope you guys enjoyed it!
Kate, aka guavalicious says
The interior looks just like the Mexican places I used to go to growing up in Dallas! I eat Mexican whenever I can. Mmmm!
Laura says
Mmmmm this is making me hungry! Looks delicious 🙂
Heather says
I have to admit.
I usually don’t think Mexican when we go out for dinner either!
The last time we ate At a Mexican restaurant was when we were in Mexico!
Looks like you had a great time and the food looks amazing 🙂
Sue says
I have never really been to a Mexican Restaurant – looks like good stuff there though 🙂
patricia says
These dishes look great. I love Mexican food but never think to go to a mexican restaurant. When I lived in Mass we went to one and I loved their mexican food and fried ice cream!.
Cascia Talbert says
I love Mexican, especially enchladas (spelling?) That looks like a fun restaurant.
Shop with Me Mama says
OMG, now I want mexican food!!!! I have been craving it forever. That looks and sounds like a great place to eat!
amanda says
i love mexican food! i sure do miss getting mexican food. i ordered a tortilla and mexican bean soup in india and it had chinese flavoring!
Michelle H says
We always think of Mexican food and these photos have my mouth watering. I could go for some good queso today!
Tammy S says
This looks really good. I love Mexican food and there is nothing better then great tasting fresh Mexican food. I wish we lived close so we could try it.
Kristyn says
that food looks so delicious! i want to eat some 🙂
Theresa says
Ooh, you’ve got me craving some queso right now! I do have a favorite and it’s called Salsas. Super cheap prices, quick service and the food it amazing!
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade says
I grew up in New Bern and my family is still there! My friend Katherine and I have enjoyed many a 3 hour lunch in Arturos! Great place to eat and you get a lot of food for a fair price.
Stephanie SassyModernMom says
I adore Mexican food!! This looks delish!
Jackie says
I love Mexican restaurants and finding that one that has the perfect tamales and best salsa. It’s hard because generally it’s one thing or the other that they’re good at.
Lesley F says
I love Mexican food and this looks so delicious! Wish it was by me
Cynthia L says
I love Mexican food! This looks like a great place to eat. I love the atmosphere and the food looks delicious. I wish I had a bowl of that cheese dip right now!
Kristen @ kristenione says
Oh yummy. I’m not too far from New Bern and I’ll definitely try to make it here! My favorite mexican dish is enchiladas suizas! The cheese dip looks fab!!
Nichol says
We have an amazing Mexican restaurant here, but they are so expensive. My favorite is the tortilla chips and salsa always complimentary, but for my main meal; their sizzling fajita with refried beans, mmm. Now I want to go there!
Mimi says
We just found a cute little Mexican restaurant that we tried last week and it was amazing. I could live off of their salsa! This place looks amazing! Yum!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
I love Mexican food, we are lucky to have some great restaurants nearby and the food is great. Looks like your pictures, Arturo’s looks phenomenal!
Grace Hodgin says
Looks wonderful I wish they were near by me as I’d enjoy their food.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I love Mexican food, this food looks fresh and delicious.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
We used to have a Chevy’s nearby that had a few things that I liked, but they closed and now there’s no Mexican restaurants nearby.
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
I love Mexican food. The free chips and salsa are usually so yummy and I love when they are unlimited.
kay adeola says
Looks amazing i love mexican food but never really get a chance to eat it anymore since no one else in the family likes it lol.
Malia says
The food looks delicious! I like mexican food, but barely eat it because we don’t have any really good mexican restaurants nearby.
Betty Manousos says
those dishes look incredibly yummy!
i just love chenese food!
Ange says
I LOVE Mexican food!! Arturo’s looks great!!
Katherine Bartlett says
I love restaurant.com! I use them all the time!
Taylor @ Pink Heels Pink Truck says
My hubby and I choose Mexican food 9 times out of 10. 😉 One of our favorites is this little mom and pop place in our town. I love either getting Fajitas or Nachos. 🙂
JulieK says
which reminds me that *I* haven’t been to a Mexican restaurant lately! That all looks delicious! 🙂
Stefani says
The food looks delicious! I want some beans and rice please!
Taralyn says
I’ve found some yummy restaurants via Restaurant.com! Love it. My husband would go to Arthuro’s in a heartbeat. He is such a Mexican food fan!
Karla Campos says
I will take everything on their menu please, you had me at chips and salsa : )
Michelle H says
The food looks yummy. I usually try to compliment the manager when the waitstaff, food, etc., is really good- I figure we can never get enough good news & encouragement.
Karla Campos says
All those dishes look super good, I will take on of everything please.
Danielle @ We Have It All says
We LOVE Mexican – and our favorite restaurants are Mexican.
MELISASource says
That looks so delicious!! One of my weaknesses is Mexican food! I see a special dinner night in my home’s future!
Le-an Lacaba says
I love mexican food! And this restaurant really brings it!
Emily says
You are making me hungry this week! First BBQ now Mexican! Yum!
Chelsea says
I love Mexican food too but never actually think of it when deciding where to eat. I love quesadillas too!
Karen says
it sounds like you had an amazing date and the chips and Queso looked really good
Giveaways 4 Mom says
The food looks delicious. I have a Mexican restaurant by my house but I have not had the chance to try it yet.
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
Oh, no fair. I really love Mexican! I’m hitting hubby up to take me on Friday night!
Robyn says
The nachos look amazing!
martha says
oh, i love finding amazing new mexican restaurants!! yummy!
kathy balman says
okay now I’m hungry. I love Mexican food.
Jenn says
I luuuurve Mexican food. We have a few great local places. I want Arturos’ chairs!
Amy Lynn Desrosiers says
I would LOVE to eat here, and try their food..now I want Mexcan..wahhhh!
stephanie from grinninglikeanidiot.com says
I love a good mexican restaurant! We have a place call Casa Blanca and they have this dish called “Tres Amigos” – grilled steak, shrimp and chicken with rice and smothered with the queso cheese – YUM!
Thanks for sharing!
Terry (My Journey With Candida) says
Okay… now I want to go. I love Refried beans and eat 2 servings every time I go mexican.
Mally says
You really get around!
lisa at two bears farm says
That queso looks so creamy and amazing! I love Mexican. I make it at home a lot since we aren’t able to afford to eat out much but it is definitely not the same! !
Ronni Keller says
You are one heck of an ‘eater outer’ !!! I totally just made that word up 🙂
You go to some awesome spots too!! Mexican is in my top 3 for sure!
Pam says
The food looks fabulous and it sounds like a great place. If I am ever in the area, I will try it out.
Rosey says
We have a local Mexican restaurant that is always a score when we hit it too. We don’t go often either, but when we do we always leave happy.
The decor at Arturos looks fun!
Kita says
I love some good mexican there is a new place that just opened up next to me and I am in love we went for the first time two weeks ago and have been back 4 times it’s that good.
brian miller says
nice. we just rocked mexican on sunday as a fam. i love the refried beans…and we may have rocked 2 things of chips….just saying…ha
Jennifer says
OH MY GOODNESS you are killing me here. I love Mexican food!! LOL there’s always a second basket of chips involved when we go out, too! 😉 This place looks GOOD!!
Debbie Denny says
I love a good Mexican Restaurant. This sounds awesome!
Hanan says
I love Mexican food!
Pam says
We have an authentic Mexican restaurant near our house too. I love to go there whenever we get a chance. Yum!
Jessica A says
Oh man…..my mouth is so watering right now! Those dishes look incredible! YUM!
Alissa Apel says
It does look really good!
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says
That looks so yummy that I’ll have to check it out the next time I’m in that area. My FAVORITE Mexican restaurant though is Los Tres Magueyes in the Raleigh, NC area. Although my favorite location is the Wake Forest, NC one. They have such great food AND great service.
Mellisa says
Mexican is one of my favorite foods to eat! I especially love good authentic Mexican food This place looks so good.
Jennifer Williams says
That looks delicious, Mexican food is always so full of flavor. We have a restaurant that is similar here, of course now I want to go!
Jennifer @TheRebelChick says
I love Mexican food. That queso looks delicious!!
Amber Edwards says
Dang, that looks like such an amazing place to eat! I adore Mexican food!
Jennifer B says
What a beautiful place and the food looks wonderful too!
Sheri says
That looks yummy. I love when they serve tortilla chips and salsa while you wait for your food.
Dawn says
Your food looks really good but you are only missing one thing: guacamole! Yum! I HAVE to have it when I eat at a Mexican restaurant. 🙂
I think Mexican might be my favorite food. I am jealous of your post. 😛
Pam says
I love Mexican food, especially the chips. Yum. I need to eat here if I am ever in NC.
Matthew's Mom says
The burritos deluxe, re-fried beans and rice look like what I would want to order.
Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom says
I grew up in San Diego surrounded by Mexican friends and authentic Mexican dining. Since moving from California I’ve found it very difficult to find Mexican restaurants that I love. Arturos looks awesome!
Amber says
I love Mexican food. We have a local restaurant here called Teds that we enjoy.
Anne Younger says
We have a local restuarant that serves authentic Mexican cuisine and it is soooo good. Thanks to this post, I think we may need to go out for Mexican tonight!
Janel says
Mexican food is my absolute favorite, especially the chips and salsa!!
Annemarie says
I love Mexican Food and Arturos looks amazing. I wish we had one close to my house. It certainly looks delish!
Debbie Lamb says
I love Mexican food! Every thing looks delicious!!!!!
Tara says
I love Mexican food and I am craving this and there isn’t one any where close to me….insert sad face. Lucky that you found one you love!
Kelsey Apley says
NOW that looks like some good eating!!! I love the chips they serve, you can’t go anywhere to get chips and salsa like you do at a restaurant!!!
Heather D. says
Yum yum! I love mexican, but we don’t seek these restaurants out either. Time to change that.
Ellen Christian says
Looks like a yummy dinner. We love all sorts of Mexican food.
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
You know, I completely understand where you’re coming from on Mexican restaurants; I LOVE Mexican food, but I always forget it’s an option until AFTER the fact! I don’t go nearly enough as I would like.
It definitely does look like you’ve found yourself a winner! That food you got looks quite delicious 😀
Melanie S. says
I wish we had a good Mexican restaurant around here; I love enchiladas. That food looks delicious!
brett says
oh, Arturos Mexican Restaurant sounds amazing. I love Mexican food, esp refried beans! YUM!
Ms. A says
Now THAT’S something we have a lot of around here, Mexican Restaurants! We go often. Plus, the better the chips the more often we visit. I like a good chip!
Growing Up Madison says
I love Mexican food as well but never really get a chance to eat it as much. This does sound like a great restaurant, happy you got to enjoy it.
Maria Iemma says
We love Mexican food and we have a favorite restaurant we visit since it opened up in our village not too long ago. The food at your restaurant looks fantastic.
AmyLK says
YUM! We have a mexican place around here that plunks down the chips and salsa. I love that!
Donna says
Mexican food is our favorite. My fave dish is chile rellenos. 🙂
Colette S @JamericanSpice says
I haven’t been exposed enough to Mexican food to know how / if I like it.
However we went to this little Mexican restaurant here a year or so ago and it was fantastic! I d’love to go again.
Ashley McLure says
That food looks awesome! I love checking out the free chips and salsa (and queso) when I go to Mexican.. usually I can about fill up on those alone.
Lashawn says
I love Mexican food. Anything all of it. But I rarely get to eat it!!
Tammy says
Oh your quesadilla and rice looks delicious! I like Mexican if it’s not too spicy, we tend to stick to chain restaurants for Mexican because there’s usually more main stream options and of course my husband and daughter are not fans of Mexican food at all, except for the chips and salsa LOL!
Beeb says
MMMM! That all looks soooo good. I loooove chimichangas, rolled tacos, nachos…
Daisy says
You always feature the best restaurants and food! I want to visit here.
Rachel says
That Mexican rice looks great! It is always nice to find another go-to restaurant for date night!
Stacie Connerty says
I love love love Mexican food. Looks like this place would be a winner with me! 🙂
Jennifer says
I love a good Mexican restaurant!
Marina says
I don’t have a fave Mexican restaurant but Mexican rice and fajitas are my faves!
Patty says
I don’t do Mexican for the most part because I am deathly allergic to peppers. (Cut a jalapeno near me and I can’t breathe. Not fun.) I can say that New Bern is a lovely place to visit. We traveled through when we were in the trailer….
Shannon (The Mommy-Files) says
I love Mexican food, especially tostadas, tacos and enchiladas.
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
The queso dip is a treat for me – if I got it every time we went to a mexican restaurant, that’s all I’d eat!
Nicole B says
I love going out to eat at Mexican restaurants. I usually fill up on the chips and salsa, so by the time my entree arrives, I am stuffed!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
You know, I had the most AMAZING Mexican food when I was in San Diego. It was so good, that I’ve been afraid to try any place else since then because I don’t want to be disappointed.