It is no news to anyone that Southern California is an area with numerous Latino population. No matter where you look or where you go, te vas a topar con la raza. We are undoubtedly the largest minority living por estos rumbos, so obviously you’ll find loads of Latino-centric establishments, restaurants are definitely not the exception. Mexican food restaurants however seem to be the Starbucks of restaurants. There is a Mexican food joint every other block, both traditional and faux… either way, there’s something for everyone. Now, if you’re always on the run and don’t have much time to sit down and wait for your food to be prepared OR if you just like to eat hasta reventar, “Sara’s” in Norwalk is the best lunch alternative for you.
Open for business
When it comes to buffets, not all of them serve quality food. In some restaurants it seems like the food was taken straight out of either the can or the freezer. Now, the ones that serve good food, te cuestan un pie y la mitad del otro. If you want affordable tasty food in high quantity, “Sara’s” has opened their “lunch-time buffet special”.
This restaurant/ bar/ grill is usually busy during nights and weekends. During the evenings Mariachis, trios and even some Norteño groups keep the beat going while you chow down your comida or a couple margaritas and Coronas.
However, the mornings are the total opposite. If you happen to drive by Rosecrans Ave. between noon and 4pm you would think that “Sara’s” is closed, pero no te dejes engañar por las apariencias and just go in.
The place is humoungous, which appears even bigger thanks to the fact that it’s rather empty (at a mere 35% capacity at the time me and my partner-in-crime went). Nonetheless, it’s easy to appreciate the over-the-top Mexican décor, there’s even murals- in one of them you’ll find Pedro Infante if you look closely. While it could be kitschy, it somehow it kinda works.
Serve. Eat. Repeat.
My partner and I arrived to “Sara’s” without even knowing about the buffet, so as soon as we sat down we quickly browsed through the menu since I didn’t have much time for lunch. Our server noticed we were in a bit of a rush, so he mentioned the buffet.
We quickly opted for the buffet and headed over to see what was on the menu.
There was seriously a little bit of everything: the typical rice and beans, chilaquiles verdes, chilaquiles rojos, nopales con huevo, fresh ceviche, mole, filete de pollo, ensalada de papa, among other things.
As soon as we sat down our server came back with our drinks and told us that we could also order enchiladas and chiles rellenos which would be prepared as we ate our first plate. Of course we couldn’t pass the chance of some more food so we went for it.
I tried a little bit of everything. Not only were the dishes good, but they tasted as if they were just cooked. The nopales con huevo tasted like home, those are a must.
By the time our chiles rellenos and our enchiladas came we were already stuffed, but we were not about to let them go to waste, así que buscamos un huequito más to make room for them.
The chiles rellenos where ok- a little too greasy but good; the enchiladas on the other hand where delicious. If you get enchiladas, go for the green ones, the salsa is spicy and has a good flavor and some kick to it.
With about $20 bucks for two people and enough food to keep us alive for the rest of the weekend, my partner and I waddled out of “Sara’s”, threatening to come back for more.
Sara’s Mexican Bar & Grill11600 Rosecrans Ave.
Norwalk, CA 90650
562.864.3808
