Saint Anejo, Winter Springs

Like the inbred illiterate judge in the Dan Newlin commercial, this place helped me "obtain" some tacos to go at this Mexican restaurant on Red Bug Lake Rd in the strip mall that has one of those mini Wal-Marts. It is from the same people who brought you Agave Azul and La Fiesta. Somehow a place with that sort of experienced ownership just appeared on my radar. Even though it has been open for a year. It's better than it's two sister restaurants. Cleaner. Newer. More refined. Are they imitating a tequila flanking strategy? I didn't eat in because I was trying to shoe horn in another "sit down" play in Oviedo that ended up not being open for lunch. I had the carnitas taco plate for $9.50 ($12 at dinner). It was good. Not $12 good. Or $9.50 good. But, good. Street tacos that you can get at a taqueria for half the price. $9.50 gets you three tacos. The pork was a shade off perfection. Not an overwhelming amount of flavor. The meat didn't fall apart on its own. It seemed more braised in its own juices than in boiling oil. They write "Dos Equis" braised. Maybe that is the answer. Can carnitas not be braised in oil? For at least part of the process? I know. It's a devil may care time in history where everything self identifies with definition-less language. The tortillas are listed as "hand made corn". I believe they were. Raw white onion and cilantro serve as the toppings. A side of rice and beans are added. Both were fine. The rice was bathed in a vegetable or chicken stock. They fluffed the rice. I don't like when they do that. They all do that. Fluffing is for adult film ACTORS (they can't all be stars). The rest of the lunch menu STARTS at $9.5. It is basic and since it is not any cheaper and the rest of the menu is available all day, it is superfluous. The main menu is schizo. They want $7 for an ear of corn (oh wait it comes with cotija) or a soup versus $21 for a T-Bone. Well, that's really the only egregious disparity. Most of the menu is simply over priced. Guac is $10 to $13. Fajitas are $17. They are pricing themselves ala Rocco's Tacos. However they are in the middle of nowhere and they don't have an equivalent ambiance or bar scene. Those are the reasons they can charge that much. It isn't their food. If you go, at least try one of the less ubiquitous Mexican selections. A cazuelita ($14-16). Mahi Mahi in puffy tortillas ($15). Tamales ($9). The menu isn't bad. I just think you will not find it to be a value. The place looks good inside. They have a bar with some booth seating on the right, an enclosed mini kitchen in the center and regular seating in the back and on the left. It is tastefully decorated. They have some interesting grafitti near the bathroom. I seem to remember the color white and wood for the furniture. And a wall of hats. I think the place must have been a Season's 52 type place before. I cite the stacked flat rock accents as evidence. It's a nice option if you don't mind paying a premium.