Ever since I became a mom, dining out has become some of
my riskiest behavior. Will the baby eat peacefully in her high chair, or will
my husband and I spend our meal pacifying our daughter’s demands while the food
gets cold
?
Luckily, Cancun’s Family Mexican Restaurant in the heart of
Red Hook Village creates an atmosphere where moms and dads can relax. Children
enjoy crayons and kid-centered placemats alongside an authentic kid’s menu with
options such as beef tacos, cheese quesadillas, and bean burritos.
There are two large rooms and my family was seated in the
more intimate setting alongside other families with small children.
If you
aren’t dining with kids, the main space, which touts a large bar and a
television, is a lively option. Not in the mood for Mexican?
Items like buffalo
wings and Caesar salad grace the menu and can give this restaurant a sports bar
vibe if you’re just looking for a good cocktail (they have an extensive
margarita menu) but don’t want to commit to a full meal.
To my delight, we were given free chips and salsa — and
better yet, the tortilla chips were warm and the salsa was fresh with a spicy
bite.
My husband and I ordered two of the specials, both recommended by our
waitress as signature dishes. He enjoyed the “Three Amigos,” a chicken, shrimp,
and steak combination platter served with tortillas, rice, beans, guacamole and
a medley of mushrooms, peppers and onions. The chicken was spiced nicely and
the steak, sliced thin, delivered a savory satisfaction.
I ordered the fish special, which consisted of tilapia,
shrimp, and octopus in a garlic sauce, also served with rice and avocado.
The tilapia
was light and flaky and the calamari was grilled with attention to creating
those savory charred edges that pack a lot of flavor.
The dish felt healthy and
light, even though the portion is gigantic. In fact, it’s too much to eat in
one sitting — but at $19.95, I was happy to be able to stretch this meal into
tomorrow’s lunch.
We
were simply too stuffed for dessert, but we will be coming back for the
churros, and of course, too see our favorite waitress smile at all the babies,
pinching cheeks and shouting, “Que linda!”
Rachel Ephraim
lives with her family in Germantown.
Cancun’s Family Mexican Restaurant
7483 S.
Broadway, Red Hook
845-835-8207
Family friendly? Yes
Date night? Yes
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