Alamo Grill of Georgetown

With its cautious menu of Tex-Mex staples, the Alamo Grill would hardly stand out in, say, Arizona. Plunk it down in Georgetown, however, and it practically shines. The margaritas sometimes a tad syrupy, but the finger foods come through. Flaky taquitos are served with enough guacamole for the entire dish, and the seviche has a fresh, clean finish. Just about anyone can make a decent quesadilla, but Alamo’s are especially good, filled with juicy grilled steak or chicken and maintaining the right ratio of cheese to tortilla. The nachos alone are worth the trip. The chips are light and crispy enough to eat unadorned, yet they hold up well under generous toppings. As for the entrees, the flavors probably wouldn’t ever be described as complex, but the dishes are well-executed. Just don’t expect to see and be seen—the bar tends to be on the quiet side. Still, with good prices and nary a designer label in sight, the Alamo Grill makes for a more than adequate first, or only, stop.
—Huan Hsu, December 15, 2006