El Viejo Oeste The Old West

I went in today. Was the only one there. Just wanted some tacos but ordered some cheese dip while I waited. Server was very nice even comped my cheese dip because of technical difficulties with something in the kitchen. The salsa was not very good. Tasted like pace picante with Adobo chilis blended into it. The cheese dip was fine. The tacos looked great but the meat was terrible. It tasted like it was burnt or something. I can 't quite put my finger on it. The server was so nice so at the very least I can give 2 stars.

I picked up some tamales and they were absolutely delicious. I can't wait to try the buffet and more!

So I guess I've never known what authentic Mexican is supposed to be like or I I'm dumb and think this is because it doesn't look like the food you see in any of the the other Mexican places that all have the same exact menu. It doesn't taste like it either...in a good way! One look at the salsa you'll know this is gonna be different. It's not the bright red boring stuff you get everywhere else. This is a deep red full of all kinds of chunks Mexican salsa stuff. I have no clue but its good. They do a lunch buffet where theres about 12 different vats of who knows what concoctions inside. Some are chicken, some are beef, some are pork....some are all 3? Nothings labeled so if you're unadventurous maybe go with the menu, but the 4 I tried were all very good. My face is currently melting off from 1 of them unfortunately. The downside of being adventurous I guess. It'll grow back I'm sure. Very small inside with a small bar area where they've somehow squeezed in a pool table and an air hockey table. If you're sitting at the bar while someones playing either, wear a helmet.

The Old West is a slight misnomer, unless your perspective of West is Durango and Sonora; then it makes sense because even with the cowboy and gun slinger motif and classic country western music on the speakers, this place is authentic Mexican cuisine. I normally steer clear of buffets, but I saw a lot of unique dishes that I certainly didn't expect in a small restaurant in Claycomo near the Ford plant. I spoke with the owner/hostess and she told me that her husband in from Guanajuato and he is cooking traditional family entrees. So I went with the $8.99 buffet so I could sample a cross section. I'm glad I did. The standouts dishes were the Churros, the shredded beef in red sauce, the steak and celery and the chicken salsa verde. There was also ground beef soup, rice with chicken and veggies and a couple other items. Chips and sauce were provided solid but not spectacular, and the cook brought out a sample cup of guacamole that he had just made a smooth creamy version of avocados blended with crema and cilantro. They are definitely putting in the extra effort in the kitchen and in customer service. They also have a full bar and a pool table that takes up way too much space in this tiny establishment. I hope they can prosper, the northland needs more Mexican Authentico.