Restaraunt Review" Cinco De Mayo" Cape May NJ

[SportFishStaff]

Having lived in the West for a few years in my early days in the culinary business, I have a love for southwestern, and mexican food. Unfortunately, the east coast and especially southern NJ has failed me when it comes to quality restaurants in this arena. When I think of these styles of food, I think of simple, fresh and popping with flavor.

So I was a bit excited to hear there was a new Mexican Place on the way into Cape May. So We, the kids, the wife and I decided to stop in for lunch.

Cinco De Mayo or as there sign says 5 de Mayo

Location:
Cinco is now housed in what was formerly Copper Fish right across the street from South Jersey Marina on rte 109.
One issue Cinco or any business faces at this location is parking

The decor is tacky mexican, with bright walls and colorful pinatas and Aztec style statue accents. Spanish music gives a festive feel from the sound system. Boat seats on pedestals make for comfortable dining chairs.


My first few signs of hope that this could be the real deal, were the soda refrigerator just towards the kitchen full of Jarrito's. For those that do not know Jarrito's is mexican soda. I grabbed a grapefruit and my wife had Guava/guayaba.

The water than dropped a basket of house made tortillas and re-fried beans and salsa verde' for dipping. The salsa was crisp with a good bite, freshly made the tomatillos and cilantro in the right proportions

My girls ordered from the kids menu. Chicken fingers and fries for one

Quesadilla for the other. Quesadilla was small not bad for a lunch size but did not have much filling. Portion should have been larger even on a kids menu. As the chicken finger plate was a full plate of fingers and fries.

The menu was an odd mixture front was pasta with Italian components as the back of the menu had a good variety of Mexican dishes. The split was noticeable as me and my wife both looked at each other in bewilderment while reading the menu.

My wife ordered Scallop and shrimp burrito. A good choice said the waiter. The shrimp and scallops were nice size and filled the tortilla it was wrapped in. Condiments were lacking (more on that later). Flavor was bland and seasoning was lacking a good dish was hidden in there but couldn't tie it together.

I ordered The fajita's, explained on the menu as a mixture of shrimp, chicken, beef and chorizo marinated in house spices with peppers and Onions served on a sizzling platter with guacamole, fresh salsa, sour cream all the accompaniments

What I got was a plate of boiled unseared meat in a puddle of liquid no sizzle, no seasoning.

Shrimp where of a good size, plenty of chicken, beef was tough simmered and lacky of flavor, Chorizo was small crumbles like bacon bits. would of been nice to see chunks or slices. There were little flashes of flavor and if seasoned properly would be a good dish but sitting there in a puddle of liquid it just couldn't elevate. it was served with 4 tortillas should have been more for the size of the plate. They were a good quality tortilla. Side of rice and beans were adequate, needing more flavor on the rice. The beans were very good.

Condiments, Now when in this type of restaurant the thing to not get fancy with is the sides. My salsa, Guacamole, sour cream had to be asked for. What they do at Cinco is put a bed of shredded lettuce with a dollop of Guacamole, a sprinkling of salsa and than drizzled with sour cream and sprinkled with queso. Nice presentation but when assembling fajitas there should be ramikins over flowing with goodness as all the sides had good fresh flavor.

The bill for lunch was over 50.00. Waiter was young and not very experianced had to ask for a few things. It was a little slow for a day when there were not many patrons in for lunch.

I noticed as I left what could of been a cause for our food quality as the door swung into the kitchen a cook was standing on the line with a cell phone to ear trying to cook on the line. Lack of attention to detail maybe whats wrong with Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo has just opened so growing pains can happen on my scale
CHUM BUCKET
[COLOR="#FF0000"]CUT BAIT[COLOR="#FFD700"]
DRIFTING IN THE BAY
TROLLING BLUE WATER
HONEY HOLE

The ingredients are there but the food lacked
I GIVE CINCO DE MAYO "CUT BAIT"

SO ONCE AGAIN I AM SEARCHING FOR GOOD QUALITY MEXICAN FOOD IN SOUTHERN NJ.

Opinions expressed by the author are his own and based on his experience at said establishment.

[hookup1]

These are the family that operated Rey's in Wildwood. Authentic, good food, good price, keep it simple attitude. They are true to that. Rey's had the best beans - grandma's home style recipe. I want her to put them on the menu as a alternative choice Our favorites are the enchelatas (we prefer cheese instead of chicken) with green sauce and the pork chops with the red or green sauce.

The old new resturant was good. They gringo'ed the menu up a liitle (added some italian food) but give them a chance and I think they will figure it out.

Chef Geof from the Copper Fish was in this location before. You never got it your way! You get it Geof's way. He knows better than you. Too spicy - oh no - you might offend someone. So you get it his way! Did he ever think he he might offend someone who doesn't want it bland! BS!

Anyway - give this family a chance and you won't be disappointed.

[SportFishStaff]

I so want good Mexican food here in NJ. My quest will continue, someday I'll have to give 5 another shot.