Why: As with most areas of Clark County, Battle Ground has its fair share of Mexican restaurants. Las Mesitas has been serving the city of Battle Ground since 1995. Located in a strip mall, Las Mesitas draws a regular crowd of locals who favor the menu’s Super Burritos.
Atmosphere: The large windows that look out to the parking lot are coated with a mirror finish that limits the natural light and creates a private feel for diners seated window-side. The decor is colorful. Walls are painted dark yellow and adobe, and doorways are arched and trimmed in painted faux brick. Decorative sombreros, photos of missions, and an island mural provide visual interest. Seating consists of handsome, carved wood booths as well as tables and chairs with configurations for large groups.
What I tried: I had the pork tamales, and my dining companion ordered the fajita Super Burrito made with steak. The pre-meal chips and salsa presented thin, crispy, tortilla chips and salsa that was very sweet and tomatoey.
Rice and beans accompanied the tamales. The burrito was served dry style and topped with fresh pico de gallo, a dollop of sour cream and avocado, with a smattering of cheese and lettuce alongside.
I found the rice (absent any mix-ins) and the beans (topped with cheddar cheese) to taste as expected. The tamales, apart from the sauce, were a bit dry, and the pork filling lacked flavor. The enchilada sauce was not at all spicy. Perhaps this might be a good option for someone seeking a mild encounter.
My dining companion found the fajita burrito — which consisted of fajita ingredients, rice, and refried beans rolled into a large flour tortilla — big enough to satisfy a hearty appetite. Aptly named, the Super Burrito’s flavor represented a blend of fajita and a basic burrito. My dining companion noted that not all of the fajita blend of ingredients were uniformly cooked — some of the onions were still crunchy, while others were translucent and limp. The bell peppers were the same way.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The barbacoa dinner, made with chunks of beef cooked in a special sauce, sounded intriguing. The machaca con huevos, which consists of shredded beef scrambled with eggs and served with rice and beans, might be a good brunch option. Shrimp blended with onion, tomato, cilantro, and avocado served on a tostada shell (tostada de camaron) is listed on the appetizer menu.
Other observations: The service was friendly and attentive. The food arrived less than five minutes after we placed our order and was served on hot plates. The restaurant, beyond the entry area, appears tidy, although the air quality was significantly musty.
Cost: Appetizers are $3.25 to $10.99. Lunch offers smaller plates for $5.25 and are served until 3 p.m. Tostadas and salads cost $3.50 to $8.50. Burritos cost $6.50. Super burritos start at $8.50 and top out at $12.99. Chicken dishes are $11.99. Enchiladas are $10.50. Two-item combination dinners are $11.25, three-item are $12.50. Seafood dinners are $12.50 and $13.50. Beef dinners are $12.25. Mexican favorites range from $9.25 to $18.49. Fajitas cost $13.25 to $18.95. There are a few traditional egg dishes for $8.95. American dishes consist of burgers and fries for $5 to $6.95. Child’s plates (12 and younger) cost $3.95. Desserts are $2.95 and $3.50.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: 715 W. Main St., Battle Ground.
Contact: 360-687-7221 or www.lasmesitas.net
Health score: Las Mesitas received a score of 13 on June 17. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
