Charming interior, pleasant service at Dona Esther Mexican
Restaurant
Dining in any restaurant in San Juan Bautista is more than just a meal – the journey is part of the experience. If you have some spare time during the week, I suggest taking a long lunch and enjoying the drive along the golden rolling hills.
That’s exactly what my sister and I did before finding ourselves at Dona Esther Mexican Restaurant. Strolling along the covered wooden sidewalks with the Old Mission San Juan Bautista as the backdrop is like taking a step back in time in this sleepy little town. We had to dodge the town’s signature roosters crossing the street while we parked our car, but we were rewarded with delicious food, charming decor, and attentive and kind service.
Dimly lit and adorned with cultural knick-knacks, Dona Esther’s interior is like that of a Mexican grandmother’s home. The hosts, more than gracious, greeted us with smiles that said they were eager to feed us.
We chose a seat on the screened-in patio, which was about half-full with other diners. Paintings along the walls paid homage to the California Missions. It was a warm day, but the restaurant’s ceiling fans offered a soothing breeze as we poured our salsa into two saucers and got started with our complimentary chips. It felt as though we were in a friend’s backyard – nothing fancy, but comfortable.
Water was brought to us promptly and we perused the vast menu that offered a variety of dishes, from standard a la carte burritos and tacos to more inventive entrees that included lobster and prawns. The restaurant also offered an array of combination plates creatively named after the California Missions. Dishes for senior citizens are $7.50, and children’s entrees go for $5.75.
Dona Esther’s drink menu offers lime or strawberry margaritas as well as drinks from a full bar. After being greeted by our friendly, engaging server, we both requested iced tea. My sister couldn’t resist ordering a blended lime margarita. I would have done the same, but I had a busy afternoon still ahead of me.
We asked our server what she might suggest for the meals, and her opinion was right on the money. For a lighter appetite she suggested the half-order of Tostada Salad ($8.75), which includes shredded chicken and beef, iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, cold refried beans, sour cream, and guacamole. It comes piled high on a crisp fried flour tortilla. She also suggested the No. 11 Prawns Enchilada ($11.75 as a meal or $8.95 a la carte). My sister went with the Tostada Salad, and I ordered the Prawns Enchilada.
At the last minute my husband decided to join us, and his order, the Mission Carmel ($11.95) arrived in record time along with our other plates. His dish was a large and extremely hot combination plate with a chile relleno, a beef taco and a cheese enchilada. The classic chile relleno was a chile stuffed with cheese and egg battered, fried, and topped with mild sauce and Monterey jack cheese. This beauty had the added bonus topping of fajita-style sauteed onions with green and orange bell peppers. My husband finished his lunch happy and satisfied.
My Prawns Enchilada was absolutely delicious, with a green chile sauce and plenty of soothing jack cheese. It was served sizzling hot with Mexican rice and refried beans on the side that were still bubbling. The fresh-tasting shrimp were wrapped in a soft corn tortilla and topped with a tangy green sauce that was not in the least bit spicy. The cheese added a smooth, comforting finish to each bite. The rice was fluffy, and I enjoyed the refried beans that contained chunks of whole pinto beans.
If I had to do it again, I would have skipped the salad that came with my meal. It was standard “sack-salad” that was swimming in too much dressing.
My sister offered me a taste of her tostada. The combination of shredded beef and chicken was mild but very flavorful. She assured me that the half-order was plenty for a lunch portion. I also sampled a bit of her tart and refreshing margarita.
After such a satisfying meal, we felt like rolling back to our car . The service was quick, and the staff was friendly. I would recommend that anyone with a craving for casual Mexican food take the time to visit Dona Esther.
Jane Dough was raised in Gilroy and returned after graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She enjoys cooking, caring for her husband and three small children, and dining out every chance she gets. Reach her at sl*******@***oo.com. All reviews for The Dish are anonymous, and all reviewer’s meals are paid for by South Valley Newspapers.
