Do yourself a favor and try Miny’s Mexican Restaurant

Julie Heng, Editor-in-Chief

I’ve been to Miny’s Mexican Restaurant a lot—like 50 times now—and I can safely say I won’t stop anytime soon.

Miny’s consistently has the most appetizing Mexican food in the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area. This time, I ordered a sope carnitas ($3.75) as well as a steak quesadilla ($3.25), my go-to order. The sope, a crisp tortilla dish layered with refried beans, pork, lettuce, sauce and crumbled cheese, is both filling and leaves you wanting another bite. The steak quesadilla, seasoned thoroughly, is the profile of a Platonic ideal. The textures and flavors are symphonic: crisp, oozing, fresh, sharp, warm, refreshing and delightful.

This being said, I can vouch for nearly everything on the menu. You can’t go wrong with $1.89 tacos filled everything from al pastor to campechano to chorizo, enveloped in two sizzling fresh corn tortillas and the option of fresh onion and cilantro. The chilaquiles are simultaneously crunchy and chewy. The huarache is like a personal pizza-sized adventure. The gorditas are excellent, and the pambazos are surprisingly tasty.

And the value cannot be beaten. For what you pay, you get a very good amount of high-quality food. Plus, they keep the tortilla chips refilled alongside homemade salsas and hot sauces that cover the gradient of fresh and piquant chile flavors.

Yes, it’s a small restaurant, nothing fancy. Six tables, a counter and a fridge full of hibiscus water, horchata and delectable tres leches cake. But there are always patrons. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the place is fully seated. They do have a few extra chairs that can be brought out to accommodate the demand, and the waiters are always very agreeable and quick to help.

So, yes. I’ve been to Miny’s a lot. I’ve been there for lunch, for dinner, sometimes for take-out, though I usually dine in. I’ve seen the building rebrand its menus and seating arrangements, hire new waitstaff and change hands in management (I’m fairly certain). They even have a selection of ice cream now, in addition to their usual fried ice cream.

Gosh, Miny’s. That place is simply fully wonderful. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself sometimes. I guarantee you’ll be going back.