Mogador is Gone; Another Mex Place in Methuen?

[pinehurst]

While on a coffee run to Heav'nly Donuts I noticed Mogador restaurant on 110 in Methuen has ceased to be. I was curious because I noticed that it was closed a week ago on Sat night/Sunday....bad signs.

Looks like a non-chain Mexican joint is in its place. Last night the lot had about two dozen cars in it. Interesting. If it's good Mexican, I'm on it, but it has Cafe Azteca in Lawrence for competition. And of course, Mexico Lindo (meh) Methuen version, Plaza Azteca (started awesome, but now meh), and the ubiquitous Margarita's in Salem NH...and that's just in, what, a two mile radius?

[BlueMagic]

It really seems like that location is jinxed. I didn't really care for Cappellini's when it was there. It wasn't bad..it's just that there were other places I liked better.
I am not remotely surprised about Mogador. We were in that area last weekend and saw that a new place had opened up. I don't think Methuen was ready for Mogador. Thanks of the report on the new place Tekila's. I'll probably skip it. I do like Mexico Lindo better than Cafe Azteca. I like the seasoning of Mi Mexico over Cafe Azteca. Plaza Azteca practically imploded..with both food and service.
Don't forget Casa Blanca ( Andover and North Andover) as well. Next to Mexico Lindo it's my favorite in the area.

[pinehurst]

Hi BlueMagic,

I agree with what you say, and am sad that Methuen doesn't have a really nice, non-chain restaurant.

Could not agree MORE about the implosion of Plaza Azteca. The menu changed and everything went downhill.

Haven't been to Casa Blanca in two years...but I will give it another visit. I always forget about that place. Thx!

[pinehurst]

So the name of the "new" Mexican place is Tekila's (sic), and I believe it's the same ownership as Mogador, just a different concept/menu.

A friend and I had an early dinner there last week. The decor is bright, the floor plan is open and pleasant. The restaurant was exceptionally cold--as in, it couldn't have been more than 58 or 60 degrees inside.

We were given the standard basket of tortilla chips and dip; the sauce was a cilantro lime "dressing"--no "chunks", all liquid, so not scoopable. The taste of the dressing was good, even to me who is not a huge fan of cilantro. The chips were cold. I ordered a "house made" guacamole to go with the chips. It was very good, but cost 4.95 for about 4 oz.

I ordered a sampler appetizer platter (flautas, quesadillas, buffalo wings, taquitos) for my "meal"; friend ordered the five-burrito platter (two ground beef with mole sauce; two cheese with salsa verde; one chicken with tomato crema).

Again, food reached us and was, at best, room temp. I'm neurotic about having hot foods hot and cold foods cold, so we both sent the dishes back for a warm-up.

Friend's mole/ground beef burritos were good, but still not piping hot after being warmed up. The cheese with salsa verde were also good, but cold by the time they were eaten, and the chicken one was just okay. These were served with minimal sides. Rice, no beans and half an iceberg lettuce leaf topped with a tablespoon of pico de gallo, and drizzled with a sour cream "sauce", rather than the standard dollop of regular sour cream.

My flautas were unremarkable....mini chimichangas sliced diagonally rather than true flautas. Not good, not bad, just meh. The chicken in them was shredded and quite dry.

The quesadillas were simple, good, and cheesy. The buffalo wings, while truly spicy, were served cold and only reached lukewarm upon reheating.

The price was 30 and change for the app, meals, and soft drinks. We got dinner for two for < 40, but would not return.