By Staff
MARIACHI BAND Judy Williams, left, and Mitsy Bilello enjoy listening to Mariachi Band Garibaldi whose members consist of Alesandro Magro, left, Evaristo Hernandez, Julio Ramirez and Luis Perez. The band performs Thursday nights from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at the restaurant in Bonita Lakes Mall. Photo by Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star
By Penny Randall / staff writer
April 24, 2002
Nestled in the food court at Bonita Lakes Mall, La Fiesta Brava offers a unique dining experience live music while you eat.
Thursday nights, the Mariachi Band Garibaldi entertain customers while they enjoy their meal from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. in the restaurant.
Meridian houses several restaurants that serve what is known as "Tex-Mex." Manager Benito Debora said the food at La Fiesta Brava is the closest you'll get to authentic Mexican cuisine.
Chips and salsa are homemade daily. The salsa is packed full of tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and fresh spices.
The menu is loaded with something for every taste.
Specialties include the fajitas tradicionales, sizzling strips of steak or chicken served with bell peppers, onions and tomatoes. The fajitas are served with rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream and flour tortillas.
Another specialty is the bistec estilo jalisco, a grilled 8-ounce ribeye covered with salsa ranchera and served with rice, beans and flour tortillas.
La Fiesta Brava's menu also features combination meals that include enchiladas, chalupas or burritos with a taco on the side.
And who doesn't love nachos. The appetizer is a meal in itself. Nachos can be ordered with beans, beef or chicken pilled high with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and Jalapenos.
The restaurant also offers vegetarians something special. Non-meat eaters can enjoy the chiles poblanos de queso, two poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, topped with salsa ranchera and a guacamole salad.
A native of Zacatecaz, Mexico, Debora has plenty of experience in the restaurant business.
The Bonita Lakes' La Fiesta Brava is one of eight owned by Debora and his partner, Jose Hernadez who is based in nearby Tuscaloosa. Other locations include Hattiesburg, Columbus, Slidell, La., Gautier and West Point.