Cocina Real - Lawrenceburg

Everything there is simply amazing! It's my favorite place to eat!

I have been dining at Cosina Real for many years, and like any restaurant, they have their off days. However, the flavors are consistently excellent, and the portion sizes are generous. In my opinion, the standout dish is the Molcajete, especially when cooked with Chipotle Paprika—it’s enough to satisfy three adults. The shrimp is also delicious and perfectly sized. The Pollo Poblano, Guiso Mexicano, and Speedy Gonzalez are all fantastic choices as well. Since its opening, I can count on one hand the number of times I've had a less-than-great meal, and I’ve been coming here almost every week.

The food was quite bland. Every meat dish I tried was incredibly dry and lacking in flavor. I've dined here multiple times, and unfortunately, it's been consistent. On the other hand, the side dishes were excessively salty, and the tea had a fermented taste. On a positive note, the venue itself is lovely.

I've been here twice now. The first time, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. After the second time I see that this is an awful place. It seems clean, but that's about where the positives end. The staff is very rude and inattentive. We had to flag down a waiter that was standing right next to our table watching the TV mounted on the wall. The food is even worse. I had the carnitas on my first visit. I've had carnitas at dozens of resteraunts, and never before have I found a rendition that was so bland and overcooked. Carnitas is roast pork, for those who don't know, and it's usually well seasoned and very tender. This was not seasoned at all and so tough that it was hard to chew. On my second visit, I ordered the chimichanga. This is another favorite of mine, and again I've had it in a lot of places from Florida to New York. This was the smallest chimichanga that I've ever seen. It looked like they took a frozen burrito from the grocery store and fried it. It didn't taste any better, either. It was filled with chopped steak and nothing else. The steak was bland, dry, and I'm confident that it was boiled instead of grilled or roasted. My girlfriend got the fajitas both times, two different versions. Both of those dishes would have been okay if they had not been overcooked, dry, and so covered in salt that you couldn't taste anything else. I've never been to a Mexican restaurant that I wouldn't be willing to return to, until now.

Great food. Kindness