Mexican dining at its best

What do you get when you go to Saipan’s only Mexican restaurant and order Tinga Poblana with chicken?
You get a platter containing slices of mouthwatering chicken thighs on a bed of crispy chips garnished with white onions, garlic cloves, Mexican chorizo, chiles chipotles, topped with slices of ripe avocados. The order comes with a serving of Mexican rice and sweet refried beans.
The Tinga Poblana with chicken is just one of the special main courses served at JT Tijuana Mexican Restaurant located on the ground floor of Gold Beach Hotel along Beach Road.
A late lunch on Saturday introduced us to corn soup tortillas as a starter. What’s unique about the soup is that it tastes like all other corn soups, except that long after your soup is gone, a touch of spicy taste lingers in your mouth. It leaves a pleasant taste that makes you crave more.

We also tried the Mahi-Mahi Veracruz-Style fish.  It was served dripping with the Chef’s delicious Vera Cruz Sauce and topped with garlic cloves, lime juice, ripe tomatoes, green pimientos, parsley leaves, and oregano jalapeno chiles.
Everything on Tejuana Restaurant’s menu are Mexican, but owner Nellie Tawney said they are planning to expand and serve international dishes very soon to meet the diversified palates of their customers.
Try one of the special courses at Tijuana Mexican such as the Tatemado Pork Special, a boneless pork shoulder specially seasoned with vinegar, clove garlic, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, onions and bay leaves. You could also go for Certified Angus Beef carne asada, shrimp in Chipotle sauce, or Carnitas.
Check out the main courses at Tijuana and go genuinely Mexican with the restaurant’s special enchiladas, burritos, chimichanga, tacos, tostadas and seafood tostadas.

All items under the main courses are served with a side dish of salsa, refried beans or Mexican style pinto beans and a choice of Mexican or white rice.
Appetizers begin at  $5.95 and the menu includes Guacamole and chips, Chilaquiles (with Salsa Verde), Salpicon of Beef, rolled tacos with guacamole, quesadillas, quesadilla supreme, nachos or the Tijuana seafood platter.
Accompany your meals with a choice from the beverage bar like sodas and juices at $2.50 and wines, mixed drinks, frozen specials and cocktails from $4 and up.
Tijuana Mexican is presently the only Mexican restaurant on Saipan, Tawney said.

Spend leisurely hours belting out songs on videoke over drinks, or beat your friends and family members at darts or at the billiard tables.
JT Tejuana Mexican can accommodate up to 70 persons and they cater to all occasions. They are open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner. Tawney said they will soon be opening for breakfast.
For reservations, call 670-235-5504 extension 125.

This article was first published HERE