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The "New" Caliente

Discussion in 'Area Restaurants, Dining and Food' started by Mom8386, Mar 25, 2012.

  1. Mom8386

    Mom8386 Member

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    We had lunch today at Caliente. They have made major changes. The menu is now a southwestern one and the meals we had were very good. The menu is much larger now and the food is much, much improved. I think everyone needs to give them another chance. Our server even agreed the changes were good and needed. I think the management has also changed. We also had excellent service.
     
  2. ChrisL

    ChrisL Member

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  3. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    plus TWO. we went back a few months ago- from empanadas to margaritas- everything was fantastic. hadn't been in YEARS because it was so awful- new ownership and management changes and hard hard work created a 180 here- VEY impressed!
     
  4. gb10

    gb10 General Lurker

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    LOVE Caliente! I'm partial to quesadillas and they make a good one :)
     
  5. ChrisL

    ChrisL Member

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    Okay, went last night... It is much better. But I still wasn't blown away. I certainly wasn't turned off like a couple years ago... but I'd still drive to Uncle Julio's in Reston. My three year old said their Queso wasn't good and that she wanted to go to Anita's! HA HA HA!
    Before I get flamed for that: The quality of entrees is much better at new Caliente than Anitas... but I do agree with the 3-year old... the Queso is better at Anita's! Also... I personally LOVE anita's green chili sauce.
     
  6. Mom8386

    Mom8386 Member

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    It may not be the best anyone has ever had, but honestly, what restaurants can you say that about? A handful at most within 10 miles. As I said, the food is much improved, much better than it was and it is. We're going tonight with friends and we're looking forward to it. I had the chicken enchiladas last time and will try something else tonight. DH did say the tacos were good-he had a combo platter. Of course, we'll have margaritas. Their drink and tequila menu is huge.

    I hate Anita's. I've never thought it was all that good and the last time I went, almost 2 years ago, I got food poisoning.
     
  7. Mom8386

    Mom8386 Member

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    We had dinner there tonight and the place was almost full. Margaritas were good as usual and the food was also good.
     
  8. Don't Say Cheese Photo

    Don't Say Cheese Photo Broadlands Photographer

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    We were there tonight as well. It was pretty full about 7:45, but we only had a short wait. I thought the service was good, the chips and salsa weren't anything to write home about. I had the tacos el carbon, and I liked the flavor, but the meat was a bit tough. Not horrible. My husband had a chicken pasta dish that he said lacked flavor. He did say the grilled chicken was good, but overall it wasn't fantastic. My kids had the little cheeseburger sliders. They looked fine, but not spectacular. Of course I totally understand that a restaurant won't put its best effort into the kids' meals!

    Would I go back? Yes, especially with friends when we can enjoy the patio! Am I in a hurry? No. I hope it survives because it IS a really neat spot.

    One thing I forgot to mention... by the time we were finished, 8:30 or 8:40ish, the restaurant had really emptied out. We waited around for the kids' desserts which we'd requested to take home. We got tired of waiting and left without their dessert. When the restaurant was full, I was quite pleased with our service. But an hour later, when there were very few tables full, the service seemed to drop off.
     

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