It all got started when Larry of Frontera sent me an email that titled “Ready for some real Tex-Mex?” a few weeks ago.
Having spent quite a number of years in the States, I was quite eager to give this place a try. It had been a very long time since I had any Mexican food, let alone the more unique Tex-Mex, so Mellissa and paid Larry a visit a couple weekends ago.
Frontera Tex Mex restaurant with owner Larry
Frontera is located at Jaya One, a place that is fast becoming a very trendy watering hole in PJ. There are dozens of eateries offering a wide variety of choices from fast food chains, cafes, Chinese restaurants, pubs, and of course, a Tex-Mex outlet.
Larry greeted us warmly and we took a seat at the bar. The restaurant is decorated in typical sports bar concept that is not very different from the likes of Chili’s. Nothing to shout about, but it was clean and comfortable.
Habanero and Jalapeno peppers, Mexican Oregano
Larry is a man who appears to be very passionate about his food, from the moment we sat down, the Texan went into in depth discussions about the ingredients, recipe, origin, and basically almost everything about the dishes we were served.
Everything here is done according to the way Larry learned from back home, and it all starts out with the ingredients. I had recently noticed that some Cold Storage outlets are carrying jalapeno and habanaro peppers (love the former, didn’t miss the latter), and apparently Frontera is the reason behind it. Larry was the one who initiated the import of the peppers that eventually found its way to the grocer.
chips and salsa, Frontera nachos, Taquitos de Pollo
We got started with chips and salsa (RM 8.95), they used to offer this for free so long as you order drinks, but apparently Malaysian can’t handle free chips and will inadvertently start to abuse it (as in come in, order a beer and have free chips all night long). Despite knowing we will have a lot to eat in the session, we finished the chips anyhow. The salsa was just too good.
Two classic Tex-Mex dishes came next, nachos (RM 22.95) and taquitos de pollo (RM 19.95). The nachos aren’t the typical messy type that you get at cinemas (for example, at Gardens), individual tortilla chip covered with melted cheese and a slice of marinated jalapeno pepper on top with some sour cream, lettuce and tomato at the center. Very authentic and nicely presented.
The taquito de pollo is something that looks like a love letter (pastry) but with the texture that is closer to deep fried spring role. The rolled up tortilla with chicken was very delicious with the spicy homemade jalapeno salsa, I would have eaten more than just one if Larry didn’t keep bringing out other dishes.
BBQ beef ribs, Frontera burger, chili con carne
The BBQ beef ribs priced at RM 49.95 is one of the most expensive dishes you can find at Frontera. I do like the BBQ sauce that goes with it, but ultimately, it is no pork. I personally prefer the pork ribs at Tony Roma’s (in Bangkok) over this. If you’re a beef ribs person, I suppose there would be no complains.
The Frontera burger (RM 15.95) is a great value that beats the Carl’s Jr. equivalent by miles. A good size beef patty with cheese and chili in between the buns that goes so well with mustard for some kicks.
My favorite dishes of the session was the unassuming Chili con carne (RM 8.95, RM 16.95). I lived in the hometown of Skyline Chili at Cincinnati for a year and chili was a taste I had acquired there. The chili here was the best I’ve tasted, there’s no beans, plenty of beef and the flavor of jalapeno, onion, and garlic all mixed together. This would be something I’ll order when I go there again.
new menu item, beef enchiladas, golden chicken fingers
The spring roll look alike dish in the collage above should be ignored, it is an experimental dish that might be part of the new menu that is in works. I can’t remember the name of it but it was something that tasted pretty good (especially with the sauce).
Enchilada is another popular dish at any Tex-Mex restaurants. The beef enchiladas (RM 28.95) we had tasted every bit like how an enchilada should taste like. Rich and flavorful.
And as if we haven’t been wasting too much food, Larry brought out the chicken tenders (RM 16.95) just because I told him I like honey mustard sauce and they are so hard to come by around here. The home made sauce made me want to cry, it was the long lost taste (from the sauce with McD’s nugget in USA) that finally found it’s way back, except 10x better. *slurps*
Don Julio and Patron tequila, margarita, XO cafe coffee liqueur
We were also served margaritas that’s made with premium tequilas including Don Julio and Patron (made with 100% agave plant). They tasted great, and maybe a tad too strong for me. We were also half-forced into taking a shot of Patron XO cafe coffee liqueur. It is a strange mix of strong coffee and tequila taste that somehow worked together very well. Saying that it tastes similar to Kahlua would be unfair, but that is the only description i could come up with.
Frontera Bar and Grill is located at ground floor, Jaya One
We chatted with Larry about a lot of other things too, it was a very enjoyable food review session. I headed back with a stomach that is so full and ended up skipping dinner for the day.
If you’re into authentic Tex-Mex food, give this place a try. After all the Mexican embassy has already made this place one of their favorite restaurants.
Address:
Frontera Bar & Grill
18-G-2, Block L,
Palm Square Jaya One,
No. 72A, Jalan Universiti,
Petaling Jaya
GPS: 3.118298, 101.635294
Tel: 03-7958 8515
wah, hungry hungry!
all the good stuff! if i were you i would starve myself for 2 days before going there…
you reviewed the food. now check out my friend’s review of the TEQUILA! –> http://thirstyblogger.my/2009/05/how-can-you-have-an-alcohol-blog/
ky, looks good and better than chillies, i think will give it a try soon. my wife been craving for spicy stuffs, so i think the jalapeno will be something nice for her….
lb,
Hahaha 2 days will be a bit too hardcore isn’t it?
eyeris,
I just read it, they got wasted. lol
JD,
Yah most definitely better. Make it happen 😀
It was soooo gooood I’m having a craving for the nachos now, I think I need to go takeaway some tomorrow yummsss.
Halal, yes?
oooh! i just miss GOOD beef ribs ( no doubt prok’s the best ). TEX MEX beef ribs are solid . . . .must go try it out.
Thanx for the info bro – and u r right – japaleno is superb but habaleno lack the fragrance of super hot chilli – like in capsicum – green vs red kinda thing ( i prefer the green )
Larry is a true Texan where downhome ribs is always beef ribs ordered by the pound and you’ll never find pork ribs on the menu.
ah, mexican food, wraps, jalepeno, nachos, chilli con carne… these are the food that really capture my heart (ok, that’s gross)
the food in your pictures looks good. will try this shop once i return
You should try Scotch Bonnet. It’s the spiciest natural chilli in the world. Haha… I’ve tried cooking it in the kitchen. THe smell was so strong that i can’t open up my eyes… And everyone started coughing….
Now, that’s a lot of food and drinks! Where’s Mell’s pictures?!!
Mellissa,
Ooo yesss yums! <3
Adrian,
No pork, but they do serve alcohol.
foodcrazee,
True true, I prefer jalapeno over habanero too, the latter's just too crazy.
cooknengr,
That might be true, but I still love pork better, hee-hee 😛
cindy khor,
capture your heart, and the arteries? 😛
Kevin Yong,
Hahaha that is nuts!
eiling,
We were too concentrated on the food and hence, forgot about that part. :/
Nice recommendation; interesting Mexican food indeed =)
looks very ori mexican. great.
drool drool drool :,)
Christy,
yess 😀 😀
Myhorng,
Yah, original Tex-Mex
janelgrace,
slurps slurps slurps
You didn’t skip dinner because you’re full, you skipped it because you were passed out hahaha.
Food looks good. Wonder if they have BKT-flavoured enchiladas?
Thanx for the heads up. Did you get to try their burritos?
ShaolinTiger,
Shut up. lol
Galvin,
No pork served here ok!
Adrian,
Ah, we already had too much food. 😀
the Frontera nachos looks more tempting than Chilis~
Do they sell Opels on the side? *Lame* 😛
ooo lala…mexican food …..more choices now…
taufulou,
Oh definitely! 😀
Suertes,
LOL
vialentino,
Yah, more and more please! 😀
Food looks damn good. Some friends went before and said the food was good. Guess I’ll have to try this some day.
Anyway, I like pork ribs too… *slurp*
Tell you the true way of eating chilli.
You have to rub it at your backside first and eat it in one go… Haha… Just joking only…
You can get honey mustard sauce at korean supermarkets… i got mine from Korean village in Ampang..near ampang point..
Angie Tan,
Make it happen! Yah pork ribs are nice, pai kuat 😀
Kevin Yong,
Hahaha you’re nuts
joeylyn,
ooo cool, thanks!
aihhh…my wife doesnt crave for mex food now…hahaha….wait till baby deliver first….
Tried it over the weekend… but didnt like the place too much. Food was okay only lah, bit expensive though to eat there often.
vialentino,
Haha yah, you have to. 😀
angie,
I think it’s a bit of an acquired taste, I spent a few years in the States so. 😉
Seriously, Larry’s Taquitos is the best. Double dip is neccesary. . .
LMF,
Couldn’t agree more! 😀
Yo KY
Are you serious about the Honey Mustard??? OMG.. do you know how much a miss the honey mustard in MCcD ….I’m so gonna try it….
Thanks man….
Amelia,
Yess, it’s very very nice! 😀
Is this place halal? I’m planning to come here with a bunch of friends that went on the same exchange program as I to the US and we heard they had great buffalo wild wings 😛
AND OF COURSE MEXICAN FOOD!
HAHAH So is it halal?
Ken,
This place is pork free. 🙂
the food is ok only actually. the brownie is so dry and taste burn. I went to las caretas and the food was not so nice but their service is really good. they had a small preparation for my birthday as well.
Caroline Ng,
Well I’m not too sure about their desserts, but I certainly liked their other dishes though. 🙂
Food is not as good as described. Environment not nice at all. Only thing nice is their Margaritas. They dun serve plain water n u need to pay Rm4.95 for a bottle of normal mineral water.
Jav,
Ahh, I guess the taste of original texmex needs a little getting used to, unless their standard’s dropped somehow. I do agree with you that restaurants shouldn’t charge for water though.
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