Ixtapa - West Linn

Of the few spots offering sit-in dining these days, Ixtapa was available for a Friday night dinner. We got there, were seated immediately in a socially-distanced booth (the booths on either side were taped off). Water and menus came quickly, along with chips and salsa. Of note, while the salsa was a tad on the watery side, flavor was spot on and the heat was perfect for my heat-tolerant taste. Ixtapa is your generic, Americanized Mexican food establishment. Pretty ethnic decorations, a menu that covers all of the standard offerings, really nothing that stands out. My cousin had the Chili Verde, I had the Enchiladas de Espinacas. Both plates were ample servings. I think he enjoyed his more that I did mine. My enchiladas, while full of spinach and cheese, and overflowing with guac and sour cream, were watery and the flavor was flat. And the side of beans looked and tasted like it was just thrown out of a can. Overall, dinner was just ok. And being addressed as senorita (I 'm a guy) just seemed weird. $36 plus tip for dinner (including a bottle of Modelo for me and a soda for him). I won 't be rushing back.

This review is for a chili relleno lunch plate after getting fit for a knee brace, so not my norma area. I am gonna rate this as an American Mexican place, and jot deal with how closely it matches food I have enjoyed south of the border. Chips were thin, crisp and clean tasting. Salsa was room temperature--thank goodness as the refrigerator kills the taste. It had some heat, a nice undertone of Mexican oregano and was overall a nice rendition of this type of salsa--see picture. The guacamole was fresh with strong avocado flavor. The beans and rice were non-descript in that way many Mexican American places rice and beans are. The relleno was pleasant though the cheesy filling was a bit light and peculiar. Service was friendly, helpful and fast. A nice place.

We ate at Ixtapa once before COVID hit and thought it was pretty good. Since COVID, Ixtapa has been our go-to restaurant. The food arrives hot and delicious. I particularly like the chicken tamale and recently asked for Mole sauce instead of red sauce. We also are fans of the Burrito de Asada and the Enchiladas de Mole. I find myself craving it.

We moved to west linn in late 2018. Took a while to get over to ixtapa. When we finally did, it was amazing. This was just prior to Covid hitting. Service was some of the best I've had in a long time. Kids ordered quesadillas and tacos.I had beers with fajitas. Unfortunately, the state COVID mandates killed this restaurant along with so many others. RIP ixtapa. Now we're stuck with more expensive, subpar Mexican food around the corner and up the hill.

Our family loves this place for recent Covid option take-out. They are fast and friendly and the food has been great. Love the fajita burrito, which is huge, and my kids love the kids' chicken quesadilla meal.