El Acapulco serves good food fast

OK, I'm ready for a vacation. I want warm beaches, tropical breezes. The toughest thing I want to deal with is that I need more salt on the rim of my glass. I want to listen to my skin sizzle as I bake myself to a nice shade of pink/red. Lightly pink on the outside, red in the center.

But since I'm on the low end of the totem pole of disposable income I have to be crafty ... wait ... creative. I went to my editor with a nicely prepared proposal with charts, graphs, whistles and bells. I showed my editor that readers would love for me to take a trip to Mexico. I could expound on the local customs, the foods and exotic cuisine. We would be promoting international relations and good will.

OK?

Yes, Rhon, we will be sending you to the El Acapulco.

I can live with that. The El Acapulco does share some of the same traits as the city it is named for. The interior of the restaurant has a bright, tropical open-air feel, and I never have to worry that I have enough salt on the rim of my glass. The restaurant is vibrant and buzzing with activity during the weekday lunch period. I guess I'm not the only one who wants to go south of the border.

I went with a friend who can be a little obnoxious with waiters from time to time. True to form, he started to grill the waiter about the menu. How fresh are the ingredients? Could he get a glass of lukewarm tap water, no ice with a slice of lemon? The waiter took it all in stride. He didn't get exasperated. He stayed calm, smiled and was helpful. To me good service is just as important as good food.

We had one of the lunch specials: Chicken quesadilla and enchilada with rice. Good food, not over the top but good food. The service was fast, the food warm and tasty. El Acapulco proved it can do both.

And yes, that waiter did earn every penny of his tip.

So quick review: Great service, good food, moderate prices. We left happy and so should you.

Check out the area dining guide for coupon specials to the El Acapulco. The more you clip, the more you save. It's one of my mantras.

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