Mexican Food for the Living?

Review of La Mision:

How to Stand out Among Multiple Mexican Restaurants?

Address: 935 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO 65802

Phone Number: 417-832-0032
Website: NA
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM-10:00 PM

            Sunday: 11:00 AM-9:00 PM

Price: Cheap, Dinner under $10
Full Bar: No

When I saw La Mision pop up, only a block away from another Mexican restaurant, I was doubtful. With some restaurants I get stuck in my ways. I had my cheap Mexican place, and I was happy with it. But adventure called, I suppose, or something akin.

Driving up, the place seemed established. There was a definite look, and the place seemed to have an identity. A group of us went on a Thursday at 6:00 pm, and found it fairly empty. The restaurant sat on a well-manicured lawn, and the interior design showed a rustic flair more sophisticated than your normal Mexican eatery. The tables were lit with candles and accented with flowers. The centerpiece was a bowl with an avocado and a lime, which impressed me by how well the stark minimalism worked. La Mision definitely had its charm. A woman stood behind us making fresh tortillas. The waiteresses wore ruffled shirts that seemed like a forced traditional look. Our service was quick and friendly. Most of the other customers were older, though they were also dressed casually. What our generation would call “Muzak” played, though the other customers seemed to enjoy the smooth jazz. It played at the right level, where it was heard but not spoken over.

We looked over the prices. La Mision has a large selection, and overall has the same prices as any other Mexican place. All dinner entrees are under $10. We quickly were given the standard chips and salsa to fill up on. There was a plate of tortillas on my side of the table, which honestly confused me. I thought they were just left over from the last customers. But the tortillas come free like the chips, so dipped in salsa they were tasty.

We ordered some appetizers. We decided on the guacamole and the shrimp appetizer. I would highly suggest the guacamole. The server takes the avocado and lime center piece on your table and whips you up a batch right there. The guacamole was nice and fresh and made to our accommodations.

The shrimp were much larger than expected. They were cooked in a light white wine sauce, which I thought a bit odd. The shrimp were well cooked, but not at all what I expected. They lacked the spice and umph that I expect from Mexican food.

We put in our orders: a chimichanga, a chicken enchilada, and tostada ceviche. I was surprised to see the ceviche on the menu. Though it is a classic dish, it is often missing from most Mexican fare. I figured it would be more expensive, but it was under $10 like everything else.

The food came out quickly on large white plates. Everything was laid out well, looking appetizing and appeasing to the eye.

The food, unfortunately, followed the shrimp appetizer. Again, there wasn’t any of the spice or flavor of Mexican food. The food was, dare I say, bland. I ordered the chimichanga because it is one of my favorite dishes, and relatively uncomplicated. The rice and beans on the side were fine, though the same as every other Mexican place. The chimichanga itself had little to offer. The cheese tasted like plastic. There wasn’t shredded beef inside but steak, chewy steak pieces that tasted like they had been frozen. I tried the chicken enchilada, again ordered for its simplicity. But alas, no zing. The sauce it was in was just red, with no taste. No tomato, no pepper, just existence.  

The tostada ceviche was the crowning surprise. It was set out modestly, just fish and tomato on three tostadas, a hard, flat shell, with lime slices on the side. The dish’s simplicity worked well this time, giving nice fresh flavors. However, like the tortillas, the server laid down the tostada ceviche and left. He offered no help on how to prepare the ceviche. Given their other items and the elderly customers, there should have been some explanation on how the lime juice cooks the fish and makes it safe to eat. Ceviche is relatively unknown in America, not to mention Springfield, Missouri.

We originally were thinking of ordering dessert, but after dinner we had enough. The atmosphere soars above what you would expect from the normal Mexican place, but it lost the life and flavor. La Mision might be a place to take your grandmother when she is in town, the one that needs an explanation between an enchilada and a burrito. The mood was nice, but the food was lacking and that is what everything boils down to.

My normal Mexican eatery need not worry. I will keep my business there.