THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 22, 1996 TAG: 9602200093
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Restaurant review
SOURCE: SAM MARTINETTE
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Armando Ayala and his family have brought the food of their native Guadalajara in the Mexican state of Jalisco to their new restaurant, Mi Hogar, on Hampton Boulevard across from the Old Dominion University campus.
``Well, it has been changed for the American taste,'' Ayala explained.
The 80-seat family restaurant - roughly translated, Mi Hogar is ``my house or home'' - boasts a menu with about 100 items. Located in what most people will remember as Arnold's Sandwich Shop, Mi Hogar is clean and bright - perhaps a bit too bright at night. A new half-wall encloses what used to be an open kitchen, with freshly painted walls festooned with the traditional Mariachi sombreros.
Ayala operates the restaurant with his sister and brother-in-law, and a brother, while other family members operate Mi Passeo in Hampton and a third restaurant in Richmond.
Just open a week when we went in for dinner, Mi Hogar should do very well offering lunchtime fare to the ODU community. The most popular dishes so far have included the Speedy Gonzales (a taco, an enchilada and a choice of Spanish rice or refried beans, $3.25); the Quesadilla Deluxe (flour tortilla with cheese and chicken, topped with lettuce, tomato and sour cream and served with rice, $3.75); and the half-Enchilada Supreme, which turns out to be not a half enchilada, but two - one chicken and one cheese - with lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and rice, $4.
There are a dozen more lunch specials (served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), and the full menu is available as well. By the way, the pico de gallo salsa served tableside with warm chips is fresh and tangy.
A la carte items include four jalapenos with cheese ($2.50), nachos with beef ($3.50), a beef or chicken taco ($1.30), enchiladas ($1.60); chile relleno (a baked stuffed Anaheim pepper covered with cheese, $1.95), and a tamale for $1.50. Or you can order three chicken or beef tacos ($3.50), two quesadillas ($3.25) or two burritos ($4.60).
The 25 combination dinners are $5.50 to $6 and include two tacos, an enchilada and chili con queso, or an enchilada, chile relleno, rice and beans ($5.50); a beef burrito, enchilada and a tamale, or beef tostada, beef burrito and a quesadilla ($6). There are special dinners such as Carne Azada (roast beef with beans, guacamole salad, flour tortillas and a green salsa - $7); deep-fried pork served with rice, beans and salad and a spicy green sauce ($7.50); and a grilled chicken breast with a Mexican sauce and served with rice, salad and flour tortillas ($7.50).
Under house specialties you'll find Fajitas Texanas (shrimp, chicken and beef fajitas with bell peppers, onions, guacamole, beans and cheese - $9.25), Rico Mole Poblano (a grilled chicken breast topped with a chocolate and poblano pepper sauce and served with guacamole, rice and flour tortillas - $7) and Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (shrimp served with a Mexican-style garlic sauce, with rice and salad - $9.90).
I had the Special Dinner, as a way of sampling various offerings. The $8 dinner had a chalupa, or flat tortilla with fried beans, cheese and guacamole; chile relleno; a beef taco; an enchilada; tamale, and rice and beans, which was a great deal to eat but well worth the effort.
Mi Hogar also has a children's menu with six entrees, such as a cheeseburger and fries ($3), or a taco, rice and beans ($2.50).
The prices are right, the service is efficient and friendly, and the place looks new inside. Mi Hogar should be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. If you like Mexican food, give this place a try. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SAM MARTINETTE
From left, Armando Ayala, Estela Camacho and Benjamin Rodriguiz have
opened a new Mexican restaurant, Mi Hogar, on Hampton Boulevard.
Graphic
AT A GLANCE
Mi Hogar Mexican Restaurant: 4300 Hampton Blvd., 440-7705.
Food: Mexican; full ABC pending approval.
Prices: most dinner entrees in the $5.50 to $6.50 range.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
by CNB