As a California native, I grew up on places like Taco Bell, eating some of the finest, greasiest, originally wonderful Mexican food.
You can imagine what I sorrowfully encountered when I first came to Cairo: no Mexican food.
I asked around and sampled some platters claiming to be “Mexican at local eateries like Lucille’s and even Chili’s, but none compared. Though they all serve an array of tasty meals, most restaurants lacked a certain something in their Mexican-inspired dishes. When Cantina Laredo opened up in City Stars I had hope, but came to find that the food both made me sick every time, and was just too gourmet to be the real deal. It was like eating gourmet fuul; it’s simply something you don’t do. But what can one expect in a country so far away from the origin of the taco?
Luckily, the real deal has finally arrived. On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina opened its quaint, Mexican ranchero themed entrance to hungry Cairians a few weeks ago. On level four of phase two of City Stars, this American Tex-Mex restaurant is sure to please just about anyone.
On the Border is perfect for large groups of family or friends with an equally large appetite. The waiters are eager to please, without being annoying. An old fashioned Western-style bar inhabits the back corner, though alcohol is not served.
On the Border is a favorite of university students back in the States. I myself went there every Tuesday with my friends during my undergraduate years.
Famous for its simple options such as the taco or burrito, On the Border’s menu also offers a variety of platters.
To start they quickly bring you fresh, red hot spicy salsa and chips. It fits with the theme of the restaurant, which is laid back, relaxed, and equipped with oversized wooden chairs and fake plants.
My friend and I decided to split an appetizer and chose the Fajita Chicken Con Queso, a dish served warm with bits of mesquite chicken, peppers and tomatoes mixed into melted Jack cheese. The Queso appetizer evaporated; the succulent pieces of chicken weren’t too heavy or light. It’s a perfect appetizer for two and so good you’ll find yourself wanting to run your finger along the bottom of the bowl to get the last remaining remnants of cheese.
Other Queso appetizers come with more or less ingredients and I have no doubt they would be just as delicious.
Other appetizers that caught my eye, that I will be sure to try in the future, include the Guacamole Live and the Empanadas. Served with chips, Guacamole is made fresh to order at the table so that you can pick and choose exactly what ingredients will go inside your guacamole. The Empanadas is a fried, flaky pastry stuffed with chicken, meat or cheese. Think Mexican-style egg-roll if you will.
Our appetizer was followed by a main dish called the Fajita Grill with Mesquite Chicken smothered in melted white cheese and sautéed mushrooms. It was accompanied by a plate or rice, refried beans, sour cream and salsa as well as what looked like freshly made, hot tortillas. It was just the right size for two people with average appetites.
The chicken was again excellently prepared and bursting with a grilled, smoky flavor. The rice wasn’t too dry, as many restaurants in Cairo tend to prepare it, and the refried beans added a moist touch to the rolled fajitas we made ourselves. However for the healthy conscious restaurant-goers black beans are available too, as well as a selection of salads including the Chicken Fiesta Salad.
There was absolutely no room for dessert after we finished our second plate, as we were stuffed and perfectly satisfied. Well worth it, our meal and two drinks cost us LE 140, which I was perfectly happy to pay. On the Border provides you with both good, authentic Mexican food and a cozy, light hearted atmosphere that makes you forget where you are. I personally enjoyed it because it reminded me so much of Mexican restaurants back at home.
On the Border is sure to be the new popular place in Cairo, which it is perfectly apt and equipped to be.
