By Chris Holmes

Hidden in the corner of the small Escondido Hills Shopping Mall, next to the Postal Annex at 555 Country Club Lane, a new restaurant was recently discovered, called “Chicken Lisa’s & Your Mexican Favorites.”  The mall also houses a 7/11 convenience store and a Round Table Pizza take-out.

The house specialty is charbroiled chicken seasoned with traditional mexican seasonings and cooked on big open-flame grills.  They also specialize in deep fried carnitas, claiming theirs to be  the “Best in Town.”

The portions here are large and the prices are very reasonable.  A giant, 12”-long breakfast burrito is only $7.99; “The Coop” dinner package serves 4-5 people and includes 1 whole chicken, a serving of carnitas, 16oz beans, 16oz rice, 16oz Caesar salad or potato salad, tortillas, chips and salsa, for $39.99.  The menu includes tacos, salads and kid’s meals.  They also do catering.

You can eat inside, on the outdoor patio, or order take-out.  They have a great little salsa bar with three levels of hot, plus tomatillo salsa and very delicious hot carrots. They are open from 9am to 8pm daily and on Friday and Saturday they stay open until 9pm.  The location is convenient and probably qualifies as the closest restaurant to Hidden Meadows.  Next time you don’t feel like cooking or going to the same-old fast-food places in town, give this place a try.  You will be pleasantly surprised.  Enjoy.