It’s no secret that Mexican food is one of our favorite dinners to have at home — there is always one weeknight dedicated to a Mexican dish {Actually, we had two Mexican dishes last week…oops!} And although we do not eat out that much, when we do, it’s usually Mexican.
A little over four years ago, we moved into our house further out from DC. While exploring our new town, we discovered a town center with shops and restaurants, and there on the corner was Uncle Julio’s. The bright colored building and cute patio seating were obviously a draw, but most of all, we were excited to have found a new Mexican restaurant close to our new house. And let me tell you, it was delicious.
Fast forward to a month ago when Uncle Julio’s reached out to see if I was interested in trying their from scratch favorites and a few new menu items, including the chocolate piñata {more on that later!}, I was thrilled. Not only have I loved this restaurant for the past few years, I was so excited to try the new menu items and share this restaurant with you!
One of my favorite things about going to a Mexican restaurant are the chips and salsa. And I can honestly say, Uncle Julio’s chips are the best I’ve ever had. They arrive to the table warm and are so light and thin, you can lose track of how many you’ve had and, like always, end up eating way too many! When it comes to what to dip those addictive chips in, my husband and I have different ideas of what’s best. I am a 100% guacamole fan while my husband loves the queso. I think Uncle Julio’s must have had us in mind when they created the Guacamole and Queso Combo: it’s the perfect portion of each and we both got what we wanted!
**Full disclosure: I might have had a bit of the queso and it was delicious. I’m not even a fan of queso!!**
The other thing I love about Mexican restaurants are the margaritas, and Uncle Julio’s has quite the selection! I’m pretty traditional when it comes to margaritas, I like the regular frozen {without salt!} — I just can’t pass up that classic flavor. My husband is more adventurous and went with the Margarita of the Day, which was a kiwi margarita on the rocks. Next time we go, I will definitely be giving the skinny margarita a try — I splurged and went with full-flavor, full-calorie!
Now this is always the most stressful part of the Mexican dining experience. What do you order when you want every. single. thing. on the menu? As much as I love the sauce-covered enchiladas, I decided to go with the healthier option, {I did have that full calorie margarita!} the grilled vegetable fajitas. Although I am not a vegetarian, I am always attracted to vegetarian dishes and it was great to see vegetable fajitas on the menu. Many Mexican restaurants don’t include vegetarian options when it comes to fajitas, so this was a huge plus for me! As for the veggies, the steaming skillet arrived with perfectly cooked portabella mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini and onions.
While we were eating, I noticed the promotional material on the table for Uncle Julio’s new dessert: the chocolate piñata. Not only did the name peak my interest, but after the waiter mentioned to save room for it, I was definitely intrigued. And, like most times when we eat out, I was way too full to even think about dessert, but of course, that didn’t stop me.
When I say the presentation of this dessert was probably one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen, that is no joke! The chef brought out an egg-shaped chocolate piñata that was suspended over a large tray, complete with whipped cream and chocolate and caramel dipping sauces for the contents of the piñata. I had the responsibility of cracking the piñata open, and after a few instructions from the chef, I began tapping the hard chocolate outer shell. Apparently I wasn’t “tapping” it hard enough since the chef instructed me to hit it harder. Well, I gave it a nice tennis forehand and boom….it exploded! Filled with blackberries, strawberries, pineapple and bite-sized churros, it was one fun and delicious dessert. Since it was just the two of us, there was no way we could finish it all, but it would be a great dessert for a large crowd or even a birthday celebration. It was such a fun and unique experience and something you don’t see at every restaurant when dining out.
After another great experience at Uncle Julio’s, we will most certainly be going back. We love having delicious Mexican food close to home — meaning we don’t have to travel in to DC for dinner! You can click here to find an Uncle Julio’s near you.
Thanks so much for dropping by! Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Brought to you by Uncle Julio’s. All opinions are my own.
I have got to try that chocolate pinata! What a fabulous restaurant! Mexican is definitely one of my favorites, so I will have to look to see if we have one near us.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
You had me at chocolate pinata!! We have a UJ in Atl, so I'll have to check it out!
I love a good margarita- can't get enough. But everything here looks SO yumy! 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I cannot believe my eyes with the chocolate piñata! Brilliant and beautiful! But not as beautiful as you!! What a fun time and great place to go!!
I must admit that I never tried mexican food, but this post totally made me crave it!
Love,
Lucrezia ♥ (http://www.lucreziacandelori.com)
I need to find an Uncle Julio's near me ASAP! Everything looks delicious and a chocolate pinata…yes please!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
WHAT!? A chocolate piñata! I've never seen anything like this before and it looks AMAZING! Uncle Julio's needs to open a location in Greenwich, CT (just sayin'). Everything looks so good, you've really found a neighborhood gem! Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you're having the best start to your week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
I love mexican food! this all looks so tasty!
kelseybang.com
Love mexican food and that desert looks incredible!!!!!
http://beyondblessedblog.com/
dessert* 😉
Love me some mexican food, but omggggg that dessert!! It looks amazing!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles