Restaurant reviews are tough to pull off because taste is subjective. We just want to give you a general idea of the restaurant offerings.There is no shortage of places to eat Mexican food in Falcon, but La Mission is solidly entrenched among them. The eatery has been in business since June 2009, according to its Facebook page, and a restaurant in a small community does not keep its doors open that long unless it is doing something right.Judging by online comments and ratings, many people enjoy the self-proclaimed ìgreat Mexican homestyle cooking,î fair prices and relaxed atmosphere.Our meal started with the typical complementary tortilla chips (warmed) and two kinds of salsa. The fresco-style was a blend of crunchy shredded cabbage, tomatoes and peppers capable of winning over even the most stalwart of cabbage haters. The salsa aficionado in our party called the other tomato-based sauce ho-hum, but then salsa can be a subjective and controversial condiment. Other diners seemed to enjoy La Missionís recipe.From the adult beverage menu, we sampled the Tamarindo frozen margarita with full-bodied tangy flavors that provided a nice change from the usual citrus or fruity versions. The pomegranate daiquiri was also an enjoyable variant on an often too-sweet drink.As a starter, we selected jalapeÒo poppers ó six to an order. Thick but crispy breading-encased mild jalapeÒos ó hot from the fryer ó were good but could have used more cheddar cheese filling. The poppers would have benefitted from a fresh homemade dipping sauce rather than a ranch dressing.La Missionís menu offers something for everyone, from traditional Mexican fare to hamburgers and even breakfast items. Our group deemed the chicken fajita tacos to be ìvery goodî but decided the fish tacos were a bit fishy. A combo platter that included a cheese enchilada and a crispy chile relleno was a satisfying selection, while the chicken enchilada from the lighter entrÈe menu was plump with filling. The Southwest burger was perfectly cooked.But perhaps the best dish of the night was the carne asada, with smokiness and sweet notes that paired well. The meat had a pleasant texture that was tender, not chewy. One person recommended ordering extra fresh tortillas.Side dish options included Spanish rice, which our group found to be somewhat bland, and refried beans that garnered a thumbs up. The whole charro beans are worth the small up-charge that isnít mentioned on the menu. Calabasitas, which consist of sautÈed squash, corn, onions and green chiles, provided a respite from the traditional rice and beans but were heavy on the onions and slightly overcooked.To finish off the meal, we found the fried ice cream to be both a visual and a tasty treat. It was served in a crispy little tortilla bowl, smothered in whipped cream, drizzled with caramel sauce. The flan was delicately sweet. The puffy sopapilla arrived hot and coated in sugar and cinnamon. Bonus: Honey for the sopapilla was served in individual packets rather than a sticky bottle handled by who knows how many people, and for that we were grateful.The server told us she was fairly new, and that newness did occasionally show. But overall she took good care of our group with prompt attention to requests and frequent check-ins to make sure everything was okay.Everyone would gladly come back to La Mission for another meal.La Mission Restaurant7634 McLaughlin Road
