Blue Cactus Mexican Grille, Fairport, NY

Vegetarian Restaurant Review by Jennifer Kumar.

Meet and Greet
We arrived at the hostess station about 7pm on a Sunday evening. We were immediately taken care of and sat down. The table we were originally given was not comfortable, mostly for me. After a few tries, we finally were sat in a corner table in the front of the establishment.

Mise en Scène
Honestly, I was surprised the place was so void of people. In the past year, no matter the day of the week we tried over the last year, the waiting list to enter the eatery seemed inexhaustible. Lines of eager patrons would exit the doors and down the street. Today, there were no lines, no waiting and very few people inside the establishment as well. Seemed to be in a way good for us on our first visit to the Blue Cactus. Those inside seemed to be enjoying very casually. Several couples and a family were having dinner. Appeared that most people were dressed in casual dress.

Though the interior seemed to have small square footage, the modern, colorful décor seemed to open up the space and make it much more inviting. The windows that cover the façade of the building, where we sat, also add to this effect.

**We did not have to use restrooms, so no comment on that ambiance!

Choosing a Veggie Treat
The menu at the Blue Cactus Grille had some unique items as compared to other Mexican eateries we have frequented. I would categorize the following menu items as ‘unique’: Sopa De Chile Poblano (cold soup made from poblano peppers), Ensalada De Nopal (cactus mixed salad), platanos with crema agria (fried plantains with cheese), elote (grilled corn on cob with cheese), empanadas (These “Mexican samosas” were actually not vegetarian, but we have rarely seen them outside of Rochester’s famous Juan and Maria’s Empanada Stop in Rochester Public Market. Incidentally Juan and Maria do serve a vegetarian empanada.), and chile relleno. This chile rellano at Blue Cactus Grille is unlike the others I have encountered, especially my most cherished found at Rio Tomatlan filled with cheese. This one here at Blue Cactus Grille is filled with corn and some spices. (At a loss for tempting words to describe this dish, as photographed above.) Actually, as the photo shows, corn refers to corn kernels. I had assumed a corn pudding type of filling when I read about it on the menu. The chile poblano was my main course, while hubby enjoyed

Preceding our main course we enjoyed appetizers- corn chips with two types of salsa (salsa de mesa and salsa habanero), along with the elote and tamales. The chips and dip are really ‘nothing to write home about.’ This location seems to like pureed type salsas, where as we prefer salsas with tiny chunks of vegetables, and chopped cilantro leaves. We noticed neither cilantro leaves in the salsa nor any dish at Blue Cactus. The elote, corn on the cob, must be one of their specialties. I feel a shame I could not try it because of having braces, but I’d prefer it without the cheese. The tamale was reminiscent of the ‘sweet corn tamale cakes’ we had at the Cheesecake Factory. Though I don’t prefer Cheesecake Factory, as communicated in my review, I would go back for this dish, especially after having it at Blue Cactus. Like the salsa, the tamale seemed to have all tastes mixed together and the fresh juiciness of the tastes as I remember it in this dish in Cheesecake Factory did not exist in the Blue Cactus version.

Checking In
The wait staff was very responsive to seating us in a comfortable place in the eatery. We had to change the table twice before we were comfortable. We do appreciate that. However, as we sat and were offered appetizers, it took the waitress longer than I think is normal (maybe 15-20 minutes) before she came to collect our main order. Though this is atypical, I am curious if this could be a routine for this particular place because we thought possibly drinks and appetizers may be more sought after here than the ‘meals.’

See you later
Near the end of our stay, the table was cleared and we were given the bill. Payments were collected swiftly.

Pay Scale
$25-30 per person – includes an appetizer and main course per person. Also noted is that chips and dips are not complementary. Nachos are $1.00 and salsas are .50 or $1.00 depending on taste.
Tips
10% was sufficient.
Star System 2/5
Though we may come back to try some of the other specialty items, we are not in a rush. We actually rather prefer to drive fifteen miles further to Rio Tomatlan. I would also venture to say I did like Chilango’s better, but would not prefer to drive out there, 20 miles further.

To find/Contact
Blue Cactus Mexican Grille
5 Liftbridge Lane E
Fairport, NY 14450
(585) 377-9590
Get directions

Have you eaten at Blue Cactus Mexican Grille? If so, please share your thoughts below.
Thank you for reading!

Tags: “Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester, New York Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester, NY Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester Restaurant Reviews”,” Rochester NY Mexican”,” Mexican Food Rochester NY"