Camino Real
Discover a Northern Kentucky favorite for homestyle Mexican fare
KARI WETHINGTON | CIN WEEKLY
Camino Real has been a favorite homestyle Mexican eatery among Northern Kentuckians for more than 10 years. A hot spot for festive family dinners and business-crowd lunches alike, the place has a loyal following.
Opening for business in 1992 in a snug spot in the Florence Ramada Inn, the restaurant moved across U.S. 42 earlier this year and reopened in the old Frisch's building, where owner Julio Perez says business is now even better than before.
SIMPLY MEXICAN
Neither the decor nor the service are exceptional, but the hearty fare makes up for them. Refreshingly non-festive, Camino Real still looks like the old Frisch's, only with a splash of typical Mexican-restaurant decoration. Service is pleasant and efficient but confusing; you'll probably have a few servers.
With standard Mexican fare - nachos, quesadillas, fajitas - Camino's menu is more comfortable than mind-blowing. But enjoy the familiarwhether you stick to a south-of-the-border favorite or branch into new territory, Perez and staff will keep you happy.
Passing on the margaritas ($12) and sangria ($3.25), my gal pal and I dug into the freshly baked tortilla chips and salsa, which the waiter brought out in two spice levels. While the mild salsa was so-so, the medium was good enough to be a meal on its own. (Get a half-gallon to go for $14.)
MUY CALIENTE
Camino has an extensive menu, and sometimes knowing what you want to order gets confused with knowing where on the menu to look for it. If you're indecisive, just remember that portions here are ginormous, so order a couple of options with your dining mates and share, for a private buffet.
For a simple, smaller-portion Mexican meal, try the chicken quesadilla ($3.50); ours was loaded with tender, shredded chicken and creamier-than-most cheese. Note that Camino serves your quesadilla with sour cream only unless you order it "deluxe"; for $1.50 extra, you get lettuce, sour cream and guacamole on the side.
QUE RICO
Several vegetarian dishes stand out on Camino Real's menu, and Perez has added two new options lately. Try the vegetarian fajitas ($8.25) or the grilled vegetarian quesadillas ($8.25 each).
I ordered my usual half-chicken, half-steak fajitas ($8.25). My hands were happily full with the over-abundant tray of sizzling peppers, giant onion petals and tender pieces of meat.
My friend loved the Pollo Mexicali ($9), a new menu item that impressed both in spice and size. A giant chicken breast, seasoned and grilled, is smothered under fajita veggies and cheese and served with rice and beans.
Whatever your main course, save room for a traditional dessert such as sopapilla ($2) or fried ice cream ($3.25) - served here in mammoth portions.
