Old Hardee’s gets a makeover, to become new location for Kain’s Mexican Grill.
This was my second (and third) visit to the almost year old establishment, originally from Butler, Al, Kain’s has made it’s way into the Bayou. Owners Valentine and Audel moved to the States from Mexico in 2004. Valentine told me the name of the city they are from, and we just agreed to leave it at Mexico, feel free to ask on your next visit.
I will have to say, although it still feels odd walking in and it not being a Hardee’s that I remember while growing up in this area, the new restaurant is a welcomed change. As far as the feel of the place, there isn’t a whole lot that separates it from your traditional Mexican restaurants, there is still the feel of people having a good time while enjoying good food that you have come to expect out of a Mexican restaurant. The staff is friendly and doesn’t waste any time getting to you to get you started.
Co-owner Valentine, is also a waiter, while co-owner and brother Audel primary stays in the kitchen. Between the two of them are a combined 30 years of experience in the restaurant business, which includes every aspect from starting at the bottom washing dishes all the way up to owning and operating their own place. I love to see owners that are this invested into their business.
Turning towards the menu and you could start to see where they separate themselves from your other “run-of-the-mill” Mexican restaurants.With names like “Bayou Special” or “Bayou Nachos”, it gives you the feel of something authentic.
You’re greeted with your traditional chips and salsa, which I have to say ranks highly on my list as it has the right amount of “kick” to it. Along with that we were asked if we would like a cheese dip, my wife never goes without cheese dip. But from what I recall is the first time, we were asked if we wanted a small or medium order of cheese dip, which is an unexpected change that just makes sense.
After we had indulged ourselves with chips, salsa and cheese dip, which if you’re like us and always say you’re not going to do but you end up doing anyway. We were told of a dip that is not on the menu yet, it’s called Brian’s dip. It is chorizo sausage topped with pico de gallo, avocado and cheese dip, named after a friend of Valentine’s. So it was another basket of chips and we we’re almost full before even putting our entree order in, which we didn’t mind because the dip was perfect with all the different textures and flavors involved.
We decided on the Bayou Special and Alambre. The Alambre, which was recommended by our waitress, is steak and bacon cooked down with onions and peppers served with avocado and tortillas. The tender steak paired with pieces of bacon were cooked perfectly and made into a delicious combo wrapped in the warm tortillas. The Bayou Special is somewhat similar to the Alambre except, there is the option of chicken, no bacon and it’s over rice instead of being served with tortillas. Although similar in ways, they both present different flavors and textures.
This article actually includes two separate visits, on the second visit we came back for taco Tuesday. $1.50 for a soft or hard taco filled with grilled or shredded chicken or beef lettuce cheese and tomato. After this visit we could have found us a regular place, especially on Tuesdays, because who doesn’t like tacos and for $1.50 a piece you can’t beat it. We tried two different desserts, the sopapilla and apple burrito. While neither disappointed us, the apple burrito did beat the sopapilla as my favorite.
You can check their Facebook page for any specials they run, just search for Kain’s Mexican Grill on Facebook. Give them a like and a visit, you won’t regret it.
