Tex-Mex Gem: El Trio Mexican Grill
Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2013There are several flavors of self-proclaimed "authentic" Mexican restaurants floating around Cincinnati, and if there existed a Geiger counter measuring the accuracy of such labels, El Trio Mexican Grill would likely fall squarely between fully Americanized and "Mucho Authentico" extremes.
El Trio, located near Mariemont on Wooster Pike, rests in a strip mall that has been for years the site of a number of struggling restaurants. But the little area seems to be making a comeback, now boasting three solid eateries, including Mango Tree Thai and Magic Wok.
Superficially, El Trio seems like any other Tex-Mex restaurant in town. You're greeted at the door with the obligatory "Welcome, Amigos," then escorted down a short flight of stairs to the main, recessed dining area of tables and booths.
At about the moment the server places the complimentary chips and salsa in front of you is when you'll start to notice some key differences. In addition to the salsa, a complimentary dish of bean dip is provided. You'll then be informed that a self-serve salsa bar is available near the front register, boasting about a dozen homemade salsas, ranging from the familiar verdes, tomatillos and habaneros, to the more exotic peanut, pumpkin and Guajillo chili salsas.
El Trio's menu is a laundry list of mostly familiar Tex-Mex favorites, as well as a couple items that gringos will find adventurous. Familiar fare such as fajitas, chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos and burritos brush up against poblanos, tortas and the shrimpy Sopa de Camaron.
On our last couple of visits, I was impressed with their Enchiladas Con Mole, three corn tortillas packed with shredded chicken and topped with a dark, rich mole sauce. The mole hit all the right notes of complexity, with chocolatey, spicy underpinnings. The accompanying Mexican rice was no surprise, but it was competently prepared and helped to balance the bold mole.
My girlfriend enjoyed the spinachy Enchiladas Suizas, served with both rice and beans, while my sister --an El Trio regular-- is quite fond of the tri-colored Enchiladas Bandera: a chicken, spinach and beef enchilada, topped respectively with verde, cheese and red sauces, served with rice and beans.
El Trio's peanut salsa from the salsa bar is a new favorite of mine: the peanut flavor shines through but is not overwhelming, coupled with a palate-tickling heat that slowly builds, chip after chip. The pumpkin salsa made me realize I have no idea what pumpkin really tastes like; rather, I'm really only familiar with its accompanying spices, such as cinnamon, clove, etc. None of those are evident in this salsa, so expect to be surprised.
El Trio offers solid, reliable Tex-Mex whose salsa bar, timely service and extra attention to detail make it a cut above its cookie-cutter competitors.
7227 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227513-271-0555
Rating: 3.0 out of 4
= Outstanding
= Fair
= Poor
The best TACO joint in the city. I go there as a treat to myself every Monday. TEX MEX TACOS are delicious culinary treats that look beautiful and taste great. I'm so impressed with this place that I never explore the other items on the menu. If you don't get your taco fix here, you're losing in life.
posted: Tue., Apr 27th, 2021 @ 2:37 PM
My Wife and myself dined at Ferrari’s on Saturday and the Food and service was great/ I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with misc nuts and sauce and it was the best meal I’ve had there/ My wife had the Fish and Vegetables and was very happy/ I also got a couple of their pizza and olive loaves of bread/ The bread is always a hit at work.
posted: Mon., Nov 23rd, 2020 @ 1:14 PM
@Rick: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to remember to give them a try.
posted: Sat., Nov 21st, 2020 @ 9:06 AM
Try Joe's Pizza located at Airway and Smithville Rd. You might like it...That's one of favorite haunts. I definitely think it beats Cassano's.
posted: Fri., Nov 6th, 2020 @ 4:19 PM
Hands down the best Indian in the area. I have yet to find their yellow Punjabi dish anywhere. It is my favorite, and what keeps me coming back time after time. I think I have been here over 100 times. I love this place.
posted: Thu., May 28th, 2020 @ 12:03 PM
I found a gyro I keep thinking about
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tazikis-mediterranean-cafe-cincinnati
their lamb gyro is about 2-3 bucks higher in cost than a gyro elsewhere - B U T - it is made with whole pieces of lamb meat, not the lamb and beef loaf that all other Gyro joints in Cincinnati seem to do
it is a chain. A minus for me, and I suspect for you as well.
But its good.
really, really good
one caveat: skip the baklava as it is not made in-house
posted: Mon., Dec 9th, 2019 @ 12:43 PM
I'll take your word for it, then.....it is fairly close to work so it'll be an upcoming lunch
I also need to try out this little taco wagon near Quatmans in Norwood
posted: Mon., Sep 9th, 2019 @ 6:21 PM
Hi @TJ - We were pretty impressed with the quality of the items, which I think justifies some of the pricing. I really liked the house-made tortillas and their salsas. Chilero offered some extra little touches that were a pleasant surprise. :)
Just by way of comparison...that same week we'd tried the new Mazunte location downtown...and our experience at Chilero beat them out.
posted: Thu., Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:18 PM
Great food and fantastic atmosphere
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 8:29 PM
Seems very pricey for a mostly carryout/counter-service joint
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 5:51 PM