08/22/09

Bland as they come, service slow as possible

by AllTexanMusic

Anamias - Bland City on August 16, 2009

Anamia's is a popular local place because of its sheer location, right between several middle-upper subdivisions in Flower Mound. The first thing you will notice upon walking in is how LOUD the place is. While there is a high ceiling, the tables and booths are jammed so tight that even an early lunch will find you screaming to be heard at your table, especially when they crank up the music. Yes, there is a "patio" if your thing is watching cars park in hundred degree heat - at least you can hear your conversation during a meal out there.

But the food is nothing to write home about. It is every bit like El Chicos combined with On The Border, except more bland. The service can be iffy - fine one day and listless the next. The cheese sauces are like Velveeta with one pepper per gallon. The traditional Tex-Mex is predictable, bland, without any range.

The alcoholic drinks seem to suffer from a wide variation - you will notice more people cozy up to the bar than going to booths, I think it is to insure the drinks are strong enough by directly addressing the bartender. The people-watching here at the bar is perhaps the most interesting thing about Anamias - the happy hour crowd is quite obviously where the boss takes the young assistant to get tanked before reporting in to the wife, and the beautiful people get especially loud vying for attention there. It can be quite the circus on a Friday evening, especially if you get a booth where you can see the bar clearly.

The overall impression here is - this place is the Mexican food version of the Chili's across the street (even though Brinker owns both Chilis and On The Border). Its a family place that seems to aim at being as bland and as crowded as possible. You could visit any one of a dozen places in Flower Mound - corporate and non-corporate - and find the same fare. Come prepared to find children and geriatrics screaming equally loud to be heard by their families and the service staff.

Mark Robbins

• Pros: Watching husbands pick up chippies at the bar
• Cons: Noise, food, noise, overcrowded, noise, bland!

04/08/09

Great lunch spot

by ShawnEwert

The only thing I can say about Anamia's in the negative is that too many people like it! If you have more than a couple of people with you for lunch, definitely call ahead. This place gets crowded quick, and the tables are a little too close for comfort. You may have a problem hearing your friends over the tables next to you. The food here is excellent. I have had the fish tacos a number of times, and they are the best I have ever had. Last time I was in, I tried teh Garlic Crusted Tilapia. Now I love garlic, and even I had to scrape some off, but the taste...WOW! I could also make a meal out of the guacamole and salsa here, they are both tops with me!

• Pros: Staff, guacamole, fish tacos, Garlic Crusted Tilapia
• Cons: Lunch is crowded, tables to close to each other

04/08/09

Great lunch spot

by ShawnE

The only thing that I can say about Anamia's in the negative is that too many people like it! When trying to get a table for lunch, if you have more than a couple of people with you, definitely call ahead. The tables are a bit too close for comfort, and in a crowded place it is hard to hear the people in your own party over the noise. The food here is excellent! I have had the fish tacos a number of times, and they are the best I have ever had. I recently had the Garlic Crusted Tilapia, and it was amazing. I love garlic, and even I had to scrape some off of the fish, but the flavor....WOW! This is another restaurant where I could make a meal of the guacamole and salsa. Both are tops with me.

• Pros: Guacamole, Garlic crusted Tilapia, staff
• Cons: Crowded for lunch, tables too close to each other