Rene Gonzalez knows why Gabriela's Mexican Grill is so popular among their loyal clientele.
"It's consistency for sure," Rene said. "We work as a family and try to give the best service and serve the best food around."
In business for more than 14 years, Gabriela's Mexican Grill, with locations in Farmington and Prairie Grove, is a longtime local favorite. Rene, who operates the restaurant with his mother, Gabriela, the restaurant's namesake, and his two brothers, has brought the flavors of their home in Mexico to Northwest Arkansas.
"We are from Mexico City," he said. "We have those flavors from there in our food. The spicy food is from Mexico City. We use different peppers."
Those spicy flavors find their way into many dishes at Gabriela's.
"We have spicy shrimp and tacos made with our spicy salsa," he explained. "We have some dishes with pork and spicy sauces too. It's really good."
Gabriela's makes sure that there is something on the menu to satisfy everyone.
"We have a Tex-Mex menu," Rene said. "We try to have a little bit of everything. Something for everybody."
A little bit of love
With so many years of experience in the restaurant business, Rene has served a lot of homemade salsa and Pico de Gallo in his day. He knows the secret to making a good Pico.
"We use simple ingredients like lime and garlic," he said. "You have to put in the right amount of every ingredient to make a good Pico. You have to make sure it's a good blend and balanced."
Rene is quick to point out that not all Mexican Cuisine tastes the same.
"In Mexico you have different regions with different flavors," he said. "Our flavors in Mexico City are totally different than in the North and South of Mexico. I think the secret is to put the right amount of spices in it."
One ingredient, however, is shared by all good Mexican food.
"You have to put a little bit of love into it," he said.
With a spicy meal guests are eager to check out the drink menu, which Rene praises.
"We have really good variety of food here and our drinks are amazing," he said. "We are consistent in everything that we do. We have good food and drinks. That goes for the cleanliness of the restaurant and kitchen, too."
When you talk to Rene, it's apparent, the love that makes it's way into the food at Gabriela's comes from his family's commitment to the restaurant and each other.
"We get along pretty good," he said of the family's working relationship. "We have the same ideas and we work together in the best way possible. My two brothers work in the restaurant with us, too. We have the same goals and same vision and it works out pretty good."
Location: 330 East Main Street, Farmington and 121 N Pittman Street in Prairie Grove. (Note: Gabreilla's Prairie Grove location will soon be changing)
Location: 330 East Main Street, Farmington and 121 N Pittman Street in Prairie Grove. (Note: Gabreilla's Prairie Grove location will soon be changing)
Hours:
Tuesday - 11AM--9PM
Wednesday - 11AM--9PM
Thursday - 11AM--9PM
Friday - 11AM--10PM
Saturday - 11AM--10PM
Sunday - 11AM--9PM
Monday - 11AM--9PM
Phone: (479) 267-3211 Farmington
(479) 846-3211 Prairie Grove
Get social: www.facebook.com/gabrielasfarmington or www.facebook.com/Gabrielas-Mexican-Grill-Restaurant-Prairie-Grove.
NAN Dining Guide Cover on 01/14/2018