Happy Grill

Update 8/25/2014: Happy Grill is closed.

In a word: Feels like a room without a roof, and not in a good way.

The specs: #00898   
2810 E. Washington, 53704
Details at Yelp,
Official web site, Google+

Latest Happy Grill news and reviews

JM ate the enchiladas verdes.
Nichole ate the hurarache with tilapia. 
The bill was $18, or $9/person, plus tip.
JM gave Happy Grill a C-; Nichole gave Happy Grill a D+ (see our grading rubric).

There must be some configuration of Mexican buffet that would work.  Most dishes come with a side of beans and rice.  Red sauce, green sauce, tomato and corn salsas in abundance.  Maybe a taco bar concept or a Chipotle style build-your-own burrito place with a worker to dispense the meat. 

Happy Grill is not that place. The place was nigh deserted at dinner time and we saw only one couple brave the heat trays to actually partake of the $11 buffet. Our visit made it seem like the name "Happy Grill" was an example of litotes.

The meals we got were mostly okay, but far on the bland side of Mexican. The huarache made a heavy footprint and the fish was scant, but the other toppings (lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and shredded cheese) were good, especially the really nice avocado on top. JM's enchiladas were small and almost immediately forgotten after consumption; the green sauce was neither spicy nor tasty.  The rice and beans were both a little under temperature but otherwise fine, despite the fact that he picked at them rather than eating them. 

There was also a sign taped up by the cash register offering to sell the whole business. So if you know anybody...

Comments

[Marissa]

Yikes!

[Brendan]

I think this is probably a pretty accurate review, but I don't tend to take critiques too seriously when they mention Chipotle as a possible model for a Mexican restaurant.