First Impressions
Matta’s is more traditionally known for their location on Main Street in downtown Mesa, a long-standing pillar of typical, “gringo-ized” fare which holds mild positive memories as the site of my first date.

This location closed recently, leaving only their newer institution at Higley and Brown Road. This location gives the impression of being a fast-food outlet from its size, stand-alone position, and the fact it was a Boston Chicken prior to the turn of the millennium. The inside is decorated in a fairly toned-down manner for a Mexican restaurant, with the decor limited to tcotsches on the walls and brightly tiled tables.

The Menu

Matta’s doesn’t try to be innovative or fresh, instead sticking with the standards. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. They offer the usual taco/burrito/enchilada/chimichanga assortment, only slightly enlivened with a slightly wider choice of meats (two types of chile stew as well as typical beef and chicken options).

Food

I ordered a ground-beef burrito. This dish has the remarkable property of tasting exactly like a line of frozen tacos they used to sell, although the tortilla seemed fresh. The overall experience was dampened by the oceans of grease the filling shed (do you know how to DRAIN ground beef, Matta’s?) and the lack of an accompaniment. While many other Mexican restaurants would include beans and rice, all Matta’s added was a lame handful of lettuce and a single olive.

Service

While service was reasonably speedy, it seemed spotty. We were served “bucket-brigade” style, with about three waiters coming out to supply us with dishes. However, not one mentioned that we were supposed to retrieve our own cutlery. When your restaurant straddles traditional fast-food and slow-food boundaries, you really need to make the rules obvious to earn credit for service.

Conclusion

I could see bringing relatives from far afield to Matta’s. The food isn’t threatening in any way, and does deliver reasonably sized portions for the money. However, it simply lacks any extra kick in quality or service to justify going there when a hundred other restaurants do the same. Maybe if it were 50 years from now and a hallowed institution…

First Impressions

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First Impressions

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First Impressions

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