Vets. Hwy. near David Drive/Mississippi Ave. Metairie

Had our monthly get together with "the girls" (5 friends I grew up with) at Casa Garcia tonight. Shared a shrimp in garlic sauce with tortilla soup and a combination platter (mini tacos, flautas, chimichanga, tamale, etc.

The soup (sort of a glorified vegetable soup) with tortilla strips, avacado, and cheese was tasty and filling. "Shrimp in Garlic Sauce" consited of about 10 nice sized shrimp with mushrooms and (what appeared and tasted like bottled chopped) garlic surrounding a huge mound of rice. Not bad but not a bargain at $13.95 (one of the most expensive items on the menu).

The combo platter was very good--each item had a distinct flavor which is sometimes not the case at Mexican restaurants. A good choice at $11.50 (or so).

One friend had a half platter of Nachos Grande--much more than she could eat at $4.00. Another friend didn't eat a thing and I was so busy enjoying the company that I didn't notice what the other ladies had. Total bill for the five diners was $54.00.

Service, as always, was friendly and efficient. We occupied the table from 7 o'clock until almost 10 p.m. (while they closed down the place) and were never made to feel that we should leave. Our get togethers are more about enjoying each other's company than they are about food and Casa Garcia, for the third time, filled the bill beautifully--with some good food as a bonus.

After spending over $800 at Best Buy (appliance shopping) Friday night, I decided not only do I not want to eat at a Chili's in Metry, but that's all I could seem to find. My hunger and fustration grew until my SO headed us in the direction of a strip mall. My confusion then grew...and we went to Casa Garcia. To my suprise, yum! We started with a pitcher of Margaritas, had to get over the money I spent at Best Buy and that was the best way I could think of. We sat in the bar area and had the coolest waiter. He really knew his stuff. I asked him if he'd been working there a while, 11 years! Guess he should know his stuff then! He brought us the chips and salsa and bean dip. So good. I loved the bean dip and had the little bowl refilled two times. We started with the cerviche. He promised we'd love it and explained in detail how it was made there. It was so great. Then we ordered dinner although neither of us were still hungry at the time. His plate had beans and rice, a tamale, enchalada (cheese and onion maybe), and something else. Plus this salad type thing on the side and a taco. I had the green enchaladas that we so good I started liking chicken again. The waiter explained how the chicken was cooked for me also. We both had about three bites and packed the rest up for lunch on Sunday.

Service: excellent
Drinks: very good, full bar
Price: $17.75 for the pitcher of margaritas and I think about $40 for the meal.
Credit card friendly
Noise level: moderately high, we were in the bar area though, so no idea what the dining area is like.
I don't smoke so I don't know or care if you are allowed to. I didn't have anyone near me smoking.