Tex-Mex for Lunch: Don Pablo's

For a little more than 20 years, Don Pablo's has brought a wide variety of Tex-Mex favorites, juicy burgers and salads to suburban America. They don't claim to be authentic Mexican cuisine but they are influenced by Mexican dishes and flavors. Popular with both the business crowd and families, the Eden Prairie, Minn. location, close to Eden Prairie Center, businesses and the highway, sits in a convenient location for a flavor-packed lunch.

One of the freshest tasting items on the Don Pablo's menu is a Fajita Taco Salad with unexpectedly juicy and richly flavored steak. The mesquite grilled beef has just a little kick of pepper that takes what would be a boring lettuce salad and transforms it into a delicious lunch. Fresh lettuce, pico de gallo and green bell peppers support the steak with a dollop each of sour cream and guacamole. The taco shell holding this salad is light and crisp, similar in texture to fried wantons often found at Chinese restaurants. Ask to have the salad prepared without refried beans to ensure the lettuce stays crisp and cold. Another Don Pablo's taco salad is offered with spicy beef. While full of flavor and juice, the grease from the hamburger leaves the salad soggy before you have a chance to get even halfway through your meal. We recommend opting for the steak salad instead.

Don Pablo's serves up a couple of enchilada lunch meals. The Don Pablo's Lunch includes one cheese and onion enchilada with Santa Fe red chili sauce and a dash of fresh, chopped cilantro. A beef enchilada completes the meal, along with rice and refried beans. If you aren't looking for a red meat lunch, El Favorito includes one cheese and one chicken enchilada served in a rich sour cream sauce topped with melted cheese. Those who love hot and spicy dishes will want to add hot sauce to bring up the heat. Fajita and quesadilla lunch options include smaller portions with lower prices. Also on the menu are crispy fish tacos and a juicy bacon cheddar chicken sandwich.

A typical lunch for two is about $20 but the budget conscious muncher should be able to find a satisfying meal for even less.

Don Pablo’s
11347 Viking Drive
Eden Prairie, Minn. 55344
www.donpablos.com
952.943.2877 | map