Icon Restaurant Review:
Campito Lindo Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
142 N. Main Street, Bluffton
567-226-1266
Reviewed by Liz Gordon-Hancock
If you're in the mood to eat something tasty and quick, then try Campito Lindo Mexican Restaurant and Cantina. This restaurant offers authentic Mexican fare, and everything is made fresh, on the premises.
Campito is Spanish for "little field" and the name shows the connection with the much bigger Mexican restaurant in Ada, called El Campo. El Campo means "field" or "farm" in Spanish. Campito Lindo (or "beautiful little field") has been open for almost two years now.
You are probably being seated and served by one of the co-owners, Enrique Cabrera, Rosalia Banales or Refugio Lopez Casio. You can sit in a high-sided booth or one of many tables, or on a stool at the cantina (bar). The booths and tables are brightly painted and lacquered. The decor is colorful, with handmade pottery and scenic paintings on the walls. The atmosphere of the place, along with the dress code, is casual.
The menu says "We prepare our food fresh daily" and they really mean it. Every dish served is made on the premises, down to the delicious tortilla chips and salsa.
My friend and I were seated by Refugio, who goes by Cuco. We came for a weekday lunch, and there was a steady stream of customers in and out, including families with young children. As we perused the extensive menu, we were presented with a basket of (homemade) corn tortilla chips and salsa.
The menu is full of Tex-Mex classics, such as tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and fajitas, but also more authentic Mexican cuisine, such as tostadas, flautas, burros, chile renellos and tamales. These come with your choice of steak, chicken, ground beef, shrimp or beans. Also, check out the Mexican soda and selection of Mexican beers and margaritas.
Presented with so many options, I could not decide what to have, so I chose the La Casa Especial, which is literally a little bit of everything: a tamal, chile renello, beef tostado, beef taco, chicken burrito and chicken enchilada, served with the obligatory rice and beans. (See picture)
I had never tried a tamal before - it is meat covered in corn flour dough, wrapped inside a corn husk and steamed. My favorite was definitely the tostado, which I think of as a Mexican pizza.
It's a flat corn taco, topped with ground beef, smothered with fresh salad, tomato and guacamole. I was also surprised to discover I really liked the chile renello, which is a cooked poblano pepper, de-seeded and stuffed with melted cheese. The cheese had a pleasant kick, having absorbed the flavor of the chile.
My friend ordered the Carne Asada from the lunch menu, (see picture) which was a tender steak, grilled with red peppers and onions, served with beans, rice, tomatoes, guacamole and your choice of two corn tacos or flour tortillas. The portions were huge, so we both took leftovers home. Once we found out the tortilla chips were homemade, we took those home too.
On the lunch menu, nothing is over $8. Considering how large the portions are, this is really good value for money. There is a small menu for kids under 12, including cheeseburgers, chicken fingers or hot dogs for the less adventurous youngster.
For the vegetarian, you can substitute the meat for fish, beans or cheese, or try the vegetable fajitas, with fresh zucchini, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes.
The service is fast, which is impressive considering everything is prepared fresh. My friend and I were in and out in an hour.
The food is also not too spicy; a selection of hot sauces is provided at each table for those who wish to turn up the heat. If you're the type that always wants extra sour cream or guacamole, then all you have to do is ask. Check out their Facebook page for any specials.
If it happens to be your birthday, be warned you might have to don the sombrero and be serenaded in Spanish. The good news is you'll receive free sopapillas - crispy flatbread, deep-fried and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, which I'd say is worth it.
Campito Lindo is a quick and easy meal out for families; the food is good, the service is fast and the price is affordable. As the menu states, everything is made fresh daily.
The restaurant is busier for dinner, and Fridays and Saturdays are their busiest days. If you're not in the mood to dine-in, everything on the menu is available for carry out, for an additional 50 cents per order. Whether you come for lunch, family dinner or a date, you'll find flavorful food, served fast, at an affordable price.
Campito Lindo Mexican Restaurant and Cantina is located at 142 N. Main St., Bluffton, a couple doors down from town hall. It is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Additional info:
Campito Lindo Mexican Restaurant's Facebook page
For previous Icon restaurant reviews, click here.
