Mid-Michigan Dining

• 2398 Jolly Road #100
• Okemos, MI 48864
• (517) 347-3510
• Website
• Menu

Cancun Mexican Grill on Jolly Road in Okemos

Mexican wasn’t the plan tonight, but that’s where we ended up.  We were actually going to Backyard BBQ on Jolly Road in Okemos on the suggestion of a commentor.  When we pulled up there a little after 7:00 we found the business closed.  They close at 7:00, so we just missed them.

Instead, we headed across the street to Cancun Mexican Grill.  The shop is in one of the many strip malls in the area right next to a Mediterranean deli.  Cancun is in the corner and they make good use of the space.  When you walk in, you come to a very small waiting area.  We were met by a waiter who showed us to a booth.  The space is pretty much one long hallway with booths on either side. 

The decor is loud.  Very, very loud.  Everything is painted in bright colors and there are Mexican flag designs on the curtains.  The booths and tables are really neat.  Each table and booth back has a Mexican scene on them.  These scenes are actually carved in the wood then painted.  It’s a very cool looking design feature.  They really play on Mexican stereotypes with the way they’ve decorated.

The menu is huge.  The waiter brought us a couple Pepsi and asked if we needed more time.  We really needed another ten minutes to go through everything.  The great thing about the menu is the key on the last page.  It gives a description of what each of the menu categories are for us ignorant Americans.  I always THINK I know what an enchilada is or what chile con carne is, but it’s nice to have a clear description.  After finding this part of the menu, I actually changed what was I going to order because something I thought was scary turned out to be pretty tame. 

Cancun Mexican Grill on Jolly Road near Okemos Road

J was really wanting a cheese quesadilla, but at first, we could only find them in the appetizer section.  After a little more searching, she found the vegetarian combo plates.  She ordered combo plate “D” which came with a bean burrito, a cheese quesadilla, and a chalupa.  She made the big mistake of grabbing her plate once it was set down.  The server said it was hot, but it was much hotter than she was expecting.  She really burned her finger.  After dealing with that, she said her meal was really good.  There was a lot of food on the plate and she couldn’t quite finish everything.  She likes the option of the vegetarian meals because when she has to order meat, it ends up going to waste if I can’t eat it. 

I ordered combination meal #3 which was two beef tacos, one beef enchilada, and Chile con Carne.  It was freakin delicious.  I ate the enchilada and Chile con Carne first.  The enchilada had a great sauce on it and the Chile con Carne was much milder than I expected.  I couldn’t taste the jalapeno’s at all, but the meat was great.  The tacos were stuffed with meat, lettuce and a white cheese.  They were really good and when I say stuff, I mean stuffed.  There was just as much filling on the plate as there was in the taco.  The taco shells got a little soft by the time I got them, but they were still really good.  Out of the three, the enchilada was by far the best, but everything on the plate was good.

While we were waiting for our meal, a server brought out chips and salsa.  The salsa is how I used to like my salsa.  It was smooth with no chunks other than a few pepper seeds.  It wasn’t really hot which J likes, but I like heat.  The chips were alright, but nothing special either.  The chips and salsa are my favorite thing about Mexican restaurants.  Our waiter came back and asked if we wanted more.  I said no, but only because I didn’t want to spoil my appetite more than I already had. 

After we finished, we waited quite a while for a check again.  That seems to happen to us a lot.  Our mistake is not saying anything when the waiter/waitress come over near the end of the meal to ask if we need anything.  Instead of saying we need the check, I usually say “we’re good” and we end up waiting.  Once the check came, we both surprised by how much food we got for what we paid.  Our bill was $19.75 before tip and we both were walking out with a little food left on our plates.

For being a second choice, Cancun Mexican Grill turned out to be a pretty good meal.  I’m still not an expert on Mexican food or Mexican restaurants, but I know I’ve enjoyed the meals at every place we’ve eaten.  Cancun is definitely one of the best values we’ve found, but be prepared for all the bright colors.