Chayo Mexican Kitchen
Chips & Salsa – Housemade Molcajete Salsa, Crispy Tortilla Chips, Guacamole
Guacamole – Fresh Avocado, Cilantro, Lime, Jalapeno, Crispy Tortilla Chips
Chayo Salad – Baby Kale, Black Beans, Cucumber, Mango, Panela Cheese, Tortilla Strips, Mango Vinaigrette
Tortilla Soup – Fire-roasted Tomatoes, Shredded Chicken, Crispy Tortilla Strips, Cilantro, Avocado, Queso Fresco
Chipotle Wings – Crispy Chicken Wings, Chipotle Hot Sauce, Cilantro Crema, Pickled Vegetables
Tacos – Marinated Chicken, Pickled Red Onions, Cilantro, Cotija / Carne Asada, Cilantro, Onions, Pickled Vegetables, Molcajete Salsa / Baja-Style Shrimp, Mexican Spices, Jalapeño Coleslaw, Avocado / Refried Beans, Mexican Rice
Enchiladas – Marinated Chicken, Anaheim Green Chile Sauce, Cilantro, Onions / Sweet Corn, Cotija Cheese, Green Peppers, Smoked Morita Chile Cream / Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, Sour Cream, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Vegetables
Churros Rellenos – Dulce de Leche, Strawberry, Vanilla Cream
Now approaching its seventh anniversary, one of The Linq’s few opening-day venues that has changed neither name or concept, it was Saturday that a party of six sat down in the quiet upstairs dining room for dinner presented by Executive Chef Garry Valiente.
Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner amidst the pandemic, but closing earlier than in the past thanks to social distancing guidelines, guests entering Chayo will find themselves engulfed in a Tex-Mex wonderland comprising everything from Sombreros and Luchador Masks to a Mechanical Bull, the Hip-Hop soundtrack thankfully turned down in comparison to a 2017 visit.
Happy to see staff taking guest-safety seriously, PPE worn diligently by everyone including a young woman who kept up with Food and Beverage orders over the course of nearly two hours, it was with Cocktails in hand that Chips, Salsa and Guacamole arrived on individual plates, the housemade nature of each making them better than the typical Mexican joint with the smoky Salsa particularly standing out.
Steered away from sharing, many of the items re-portioned and plated individually to facilitate something of a tasting menu, it was with Soup plus Salad that dinner marched on, Chayo’s eponymous Greens liberally slicked with sweet Dressing while Tortilla Soup was nicely textured surrounding hints of spice and smoke.
Keeping the Chipotle Wings, plump and crispy but not overly hot, course five consisted of three Tacos including nicely fried Shrimp while the night’s final savory featured Green Chile Chicken and Sweet Corn Enchiladas that remain Chayo’s best dish.
Fairly full at this point, tablemates leaving behind Rice and Beans that are each better than average, only one Dessert has replaced four tasted prior, “Churros Rellenos” a little tough to the tooth but thankfully not oily atop thickened Vanilla Cream and cooked Strawberries.
THREE AND A HALF STARS: Largely unchanged in the past three years, save for safety precautions, Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar fills a niche with good Food and service at a fair price-point.
RECOMMENDED: Chips and Salsa, Shrimp Tacos, Green Chicken Enchilada, Sweet Corn Enchilada.
AVOID: Guacamole remains fairly basic and the Churros are most-likely not made on-site considering the texture.
TIP: Chayo validates Linq Self-Parking for up to 2-hours with Purchase, and locals can park at Linq or Harrah’s for free by swiping their ID.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.chayolv.com
