Get a taste of Mexican delights

Tucked away in a corner of Dubai Festival City, On The Border Mexican Grill comes as a breath of fresh air in a city that is bursting at the seams with casual Italian eateries and neighbourhood sheesha cafés.

Walking in on a bustling Saturday evening, it felt like being transported back to one of On The Border's many American branches – complete with its family-friendly ambience and its detailed menu of Mexican fare that reads like a book.

As we munched away on the hot tortilla chips and homemade salsa, we debated between the empanadas (handmade pastries stuffed with chicken/ beef and cheese) and the Firecracker Stuffed Jalapenos for our starter; the empanadas won, along with the guacamole live that was made fresh at our table with just the right mix of tomatoes and lime juice to give it a tangy kick.

Eager to sample its fajita grill as the main course, the very dish that made the chain a household name in the US, my friend opted for the safety of the OTB Original Fajita with the mesquite-grilled chicken. My appetite had already taken a beating, thanks to the healthy portion size of the first course, so I settled for the less intimidating vegetarian version of the Three-Sauce Fajita Burrito.

Twenty minutes later and facing an empty platter, it was clear the OTB Original Fajita had lived up to expectations. The chicken was grilled to perfection and was accompanied by a large-portion of Mexican rice, black beans and all the added fajita frills. At the opposite end of the table, I was still struggling to finish the super-size serving of my burrito, which was stuffed with grilled vegetables and topped with delicious queso sauces, ranchero and sour cream. And yes, I had my own sides of beans and rice to plough through.

The eager-to-please staff tried to tempt us with their dessert menu, but we were too full to attempt another dish. Clearly, a second visit to On The Border is on the cards – especially when we come packed with a heartier appetite to make a serious go at some of the menu's other delicious delights.

 

On The Border. Dubai Festival City. Call: 04 232 8112