The all-new Chicheria MX Kitchen has arrived at The Works on the West Side, adding welcomed flair and color to the burgeoning mix-used development. It joins the already impressive food hall, a massive stand-alone Fox Brothers BBQ location, as well as Your 3rd Spot, continuing the mini-city campus experience. Ten years ago this area was an eye sore of a food desert; today it's the kind of live-work-play in-town living that many dream of.
The concept comes from the mind of Bravo TV's "Top Chef" alum Whitney Otawka who consulted on the menu in collaboration with Executive Chef Alejandro Tamez (who recently cooked at Quintonil in Mexico City—recently named among "The World's 50 Best Restaurants"). Just so you know, Chicheria MX Kitchen is NOT your standard Tex-Mex experience so don't expect the cliche sombreros and maracas stapled to the wall. The design is modern, rustic chic with simple, light wood-tone furniture and ornate cinder block/terra cotta decor. And while there are similarities in the dishes as Tex Mex (i.e. tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas) the Baja-inspired Mexican cuisine stands out starting with their handmade organic blue corn tortillas, made fresh in-house daily.
The menu features eight varieties of tacos, among which the Baja fish taco, chicken tinga taco, snapper al pastor, carnitas, grilled skirt steak, crunchy coconut shrimp, and snapper al pastor. Also, try the fresh Fajitas, served with a medley of roasted bell peppers and blistered shishito peppers, charred red onion petals, and signature blue corn tortillas. Carne Asada steak accompanied by guajillo salsa, avocado slices, crisp radish, and black beans. Chef Alejandro, having honed his skills at the esteemed, aims to infuse that experience into Chicheria's menu. And of course, Chicheria's drink menu steers you to the salted rims (or unsalted) of six unique craft margarita interpretations and numerous Baja-coast-inspired craft cocktails.
Atlantan's appetite for south-of-the-border cuisine seems inexhaustible and Chicheria MX brings a welcome dab of sophistication to the genre.
