Salsa’s Southwest Grill

Excellent empanadas, this was more of a take out place so it was a little chilly. Everything was soooo fresh! We had beef and carnitas (pulled pork) empanadas. Awesome! Had chips and salsa first — very good! Offer of seconds but would have scarfed them down. Another Salsa up the road– more a restaurant and bar, want to go there! Had a Mexican beer– Modelo light with lime in it. And, the price was right!!! a great choice !!

We had dinner at Salsa’s new home (between Rt. 84 and Marion Rd. — still on Rt 322). They have a dining room and a bar area now instead of being in a little shack. They still have the same great food, but it is now complemented with great drinks. There is a wide variety of tequilas to choose from, as well as some Mexican beers on tap. Their salsa is the best I have tasted, and the chicken flautas were delightful. Service was very attentive. Can’t wait to go back to try more items from their menu. It’s really nice to have a great Mexican option in this area. Give it a try!

Overall, I wasn’t crazy about this place. Disappointing because there are so many good reviews.
Went on a Saturday afternoon but it wasn’t busy at all. Only the booths were full, tons of open tables.
Our waitress didn’t really seem to knowledgeable about the menu, just so so.
There was no queso dip, which was really surprising to me (maybe I’m just used to cliché fake Mexican places, but hey I like queso with my chips!)
We did order a queso with shrimp in it as an appetizer, shrimp was very good but I didn’t care for the actual sauce. It didn’t make sense to eat with chips as it wasn’t an actual dip, more like a soup.
I had a chimichanga which was HUGE. Packed with rice (too much in my opinion). Rice and beans again on the side (now that I think about it they never asked if I wanted black beans, only had refried).
We also ordered enchiladas, quesadillas, and fajitas. All said their meals were good.
They brought our appetizer out at the same exact time as our meals which I always find SO annoying.
The total for 4 entrees & 1 appetizer was $ 77. A little pricey for me for lunch but definitely will be able to have another meal out of the leftovers so worth it.
Even though it wasn’t entirely a bad experience I don’t think I’ll be coming back.

Let’s just say I love this place. It’s authentic, fresh, and inexpensive. Everything I have ordered from this place I have thoroughly enjoyed! The empanadas are extremely fresh and the salsa is absolutely delicious, but my favorite item on their menu, hands down, are the fried plantains!!! Definitely stop by Salsa Southwest next time you’re in the area!

Great, Authentic Mexican food. Their sauces are quite unique and very enjoyable. Tacos are one of my favorite foods and this will certainly be a «go to» place for us. We especially like that we could have Pacifico beer with our food. The guac was a very generous portion. I really like the barbacoa and chorizo. I usually like fish tacos but this one didn’t dazzle me.
We’ve ordered a take out platter from here and it was a huge hit with all that helped us on moving day.

What did I eat? I don’t remember. I was in an altered state after the first bite.
Place looks like a shack from the outside, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect, though in my experience those are the best places because they’re more authentic than big shops. They make everything there instead of shipping it from huge retailers etc etc. inside is tight with two tables, so sitting outside was the obvious choice. It was a good day so that worked perfectly. Was with friends so it was great company, and that always helps.
Anyway, onto the food. Starving. Ordered the nachos (8.5), guacamole (9), southwest burrito (8), portabella burrito (7), torta cubana (10), and the beef empanada (8). I can’t speak on the empanada, portabella, or the torta, but they were all given incredible, raving, reviews by the others.
Guacamole is fresh made and tastes so fresh and wonderful. It’s double the size of besitos, tastes better, and is $ 4 cheaper. Comes with chips and they also give you chips and fresh, homemade salsa (too tomato-​y for my taste). I would drop my face into it and eat it like that.
Nachos…Jesus. Gigantic. For 8.50, four people couldn’t dent it. Brought ½−¾ home. Covered in beef, covered in cheese sauce. Most were still crispy when I packed them up, but I mean they were SMOTHERED in beef and cheese and beans and everything else. Ridiculous. Best nachos.
My southwest burrito probably weighed a pound on each side. Freakin LOADED. Fresh tortilla. Not an inch wasn’t filled. Pork belly was moist and fresh. Shredded. I had a moment. Think When Harry Met Sally. What parts weren’t filled with pork belly were filled in with potatoes, poblano pepper, pico, and habanero salsa. I was crying in joy. I think it took 2 minutes for me to house it.
TL;DR: eat here for possibly the best Mexican you’ve ever had in CT.
Disclaimer: the guy told me my burrito would be «very spicy.» The description says mild habanero salsa. If it was spicy, I didn’t feel it. I added hot sauce to every bite. But, I have a very high tolerance for spicy foods so it is probably spicy for people that think mild or medium salsa has spice. With that said, the burrito was still a ¹⁰⁄₁₀. Spice would be nice but does not detract from the burrito’s flavor at all.

Greer’s Chicken is the small hidden gem of Bristol as is Salsa’s is the small hidden gem of Southington! Goes to show, a place doesn’t have to be the size of a castle to match its greatness. And Salsa’s is doing just great without.
We sat down in front of the propped open front entrance so we got a frequent hint of breeze as we enjoyed our food with the salsa music playing in the background. No tap water, all drinks are inside the fridge (including bottled water) by the entrance so grab one on your way in.
Our server was down to earth and helpful; explaining the items on the menu when asked. We got a complimentary basket of tortilla chips and the oh-​so-​delicious house made salsa! Really good stuff.
I got 3 soft tacos (all topped with cilantro, spring onion, and house salsa):
PORK BELLY– the best of out of all the meats. So moist, soft, flavorful and fatty. Had pink pickled veggie strips on top to mess with your already aroused taste buds! Popular on menu
LENGUA (beef tongue) — not very flavorful compared to other Mexican joints I’ve been to
CABEZA (cow head) and BARBACOA (method of cooking to get tender, shreds easily meat) — I loved this one, wasn’t spicy but full of smoky flavor from the barbacoa
Included witht eh tacos were 2 small pieces of lime and 2 sauces (salsa verde– a thin green sauce w/​a tropical refreshing taste, my favorite! & the red sauce which I was warned was spicy so I didn’t dare try it) but the lime and sauce goes very well on top of the tacos!
Other honorable mentions (for soft tacos):
Carne asada– A-​ok.
Al pastor– Good
Second visit:
Pork belly they gave more filling than 1^st time, too much pickled pink veggie was too salty
Chorizo– Really good
Carnitas– Good
We also ordered 3 more tacos to-​go & pick up about 3 hours later and our server was very accommodating to our request. Just remember to get a complimentary side of salsa verde inside your order!
$ 2 per taco and a deal of a kind! Bang for your buck! Coming back next time, duh!

I’ve eaten here several times since my initial review and they continue to impress. I haven’t gotten anything other than tostadas and tacos BUT my boyfriend did get their chopped salad with shrimp which was enormous and he seemed to like it a lot.
Now they do beer and wine, although you’ll have to pry the Jarritos (guava and mandarin are my favorite) out of my hands. If you want fake Mexican, go elsewhere. In good weather they have outdoor seating, there’s a handful of tables inside as well. When you walk up to the counter it will vaguely look like Chipotle but the comparison ends there. This is authentic with the added benefit of being fast.
Unlike other area joints (Tacos Mi Nacho in Meriden and Taqueria Mexico in Wallingford spring to mind — both also great) the facility isn’t as run down looking. That said it’s still a hole in the wall and everyone knows that’s how you get the best food anyway ;)

Salsa’s is easy to miss if you don’t run errands in Milldale. It is a very divey, very authentic Mexican food outpost, with a large array of flavorful menu items and great service. It is always busy, but always quick.
Menu highlights include:
–the tacos, particularly the al pastor (delicious pork and pineapple)
–the burrito with the pork belly, poblano, and potatoes
–the chicken tostadas are overloaded with tasty chicken and fresh queso blanco
–sodas made with sugarcane and bottled beer