What a pleasant surprise Villa del Sol Mexican restaurant in Merrillville, Ind., was. A recent visit with a friend turned into the highlight of the evening.
The location has changed hands several times, but owner Sergio Gutierrez seems to have a winner here with his authentic Mexican food and a large patio for outdoor dining. Don't expect a posh interior. Instead, look for fast, friendly service and outstanding food.
Complimentary freshly made taco chips and spicy green salsa are brought to every diner's table. If you're more of a red sauce fan, ask for the milder roasted red pepper salsa. If you think you'd like an appetizer, I'd share because the dinners are large. Choose from Del Sol Nachos (with or without meat, seafood or chicken), Quesadillas (again, with or without a protein), Del Sol Sampler Trio (nachos, chicken quesadilla and chicken flautas), Mexican Shrimp Cocktail and Mini Sopes (cornmeal cups topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, sour cream and guacamole, with or without a protein).
My dinner partner opted for the Taco Salad with Pork ($8). Wow! This generous plate featured freshly made guacamole, perfectly fried tortillas, lettuce, tomato, bell peppers, sour cream, cotija cheese, and shredded pork so authentic, my friend, who is from California and knows good Mexican food, thought she was back in Mexico City.
I was in a seafood state of mind, so I went with the Create Your Own Meal seafood selection. I chose the grilled shrimp with garlic sauce ($14), which came with delicious green rice and beans. I was in heaven. A request for flour tortillas was met with aplomb.
All the usual suspects are on the menu -- burritos, flautas, enchiladas, sopes, chimichangas, chiles rellenos, tostadas, tamales -- and more unusual items like the Chilaquiles (eggs and tortilla chips sautéed in hot or mild sauce and topped with cheese), Gorditas and Skirt Steak. Soups and more are coming to a soon-to-be-revealed enhanced menu.
If we could have finished our meals, perhaps we would have tried the desserts. The Platanos del Sol ($4.50) caught my eye -- fried plantains drizzled with condensed milk. Another seldom-seem sweet finale is the Capirotada ($4), a bread pudding with brown sugar and pecans. Churros ($3.50) and Fried Ice Cream ($3.50) round out the offerings.
Amenities include a full-service bar with domestic and imported beers and wines, and margaritas and pina coladas galore. There is a children's menu ranging from $2.50 (cheese quesadilla) to $5 (mini burrito, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, taco).
This restaurant gets an enthusiastic 4 1/2 stars from me!
Villa del Sol Mexican Restaurant
Address: 2225 W. U.S. 30, Merrillville, IN 46410
Phone: 219-750-9137
No website
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Villa-Del-Sol-Mexican-Restaurant/16134...
Price: $$
