Cozumel Grill - Eclectic

In the sleepy little community known as Eclectic Alabama you can find a small town Mexican Restaurant that is a local favorite. Vicki and I eat there quite often and have tried most of the menu. Understand that we have spent a considerable amount of time in Mexico, so we know what true Mexican food is all about. Cozumel is what we classify as American Mexican, with a few items on the menu that are truly authentic.  Don't be afraid to ask for diversions, such as soft corn tortillas. They will accommodate. 

As with almost any Mexican Restaurant north of the border, chips and salsa greet you as soon as you are seated. The salsa at Cozumel is light and pureed, and contains an optimal amount of Cilantro. Too much cilantro and it overpowers. Too little and you ask yourself, "What is missing here"? They get it right here every time.

Vicki loves avocado. She always orders it as soon as the chips are brought. In a lot of restaurants that we have visited, they will bring you a few slices. Here at Cozumel, you get an entire Avocado for the same price. 

Vicki chose Fish Tacos. They come with some rather tasty Pico De Gallo, sliced avocado, and lime. 3 nice fillets of fish, seasoned well, grilled and served with a choice of corn or flour tortillas. Go with the soft corn, it's a traditional choice.

I went with the chicken Quesadilla Supreme. I really like the way they choose to serve their version. The 'dilla' is cut into wedges and laid on top of the bed of lettuce, guacamole, sour cream and sliced jalapeno. I prefer this presentation to the alternative at most restaurants, where the dilla is smothered by the lettuce. 

Cozumel Grill, a great little place to enjoy American Mexican. Clean, great service and always more food than you can eat. 

Tell Luis that we sent you!!!

Cleanliness - 5 forks

Service - 5 forks

Food - 5 forks

Total - 5 full forks to go along with 2 full tummies.

Ding How, A Quaint Little Buffet

Welcome to Ding How in Wetumpka, a small Chinese buffet where you may also order from a complete menu. Well appointed and very clean, Ding How is nestled in a storefront immediately off Hwy 231. If you are looking for a super buffet with 372 items, this is not the place. Ding How is more of a small buffet with a family friendly atmosphere. 

The staff and service were both top notch. Our recent visit was on a Wednesday at 6PM, normally a busy time. We were immediately greeted and seated, and drinks were on the table in short order. We decided to go with the buffet, knowing that if there is a chance for bad food, it will most likely be on the buffet line. The chances of food sitting on the warming section too long and becoming mediocre are the norm at most buffets, but we were pleased with most all the selections offered. Let's begin with soup!

I chose my favorite Chinese soup, Hot and Sour. I have experienced good and bad varieties of this wonderful concoction in many locations, but I found the soup here to be very good. Vicki chose Egg Drop and plopped a large dumpling in the middle. Her soup was very good as well. After a sip of Oolong tea we headed to the entree bar, which presents more than 20 choices, not counting the rice and other dishes on another side bar.

All the standards were there, from Mongolian Beef to General Tso, offering a varied representation. Let's look at the plates I built for the table. 

Crab Rangoon, Egg Roll, Fried rice, Beef with vegetables, and Crab with Broccoli and vegetables. The egg roll and beef entree were 3 forks, while the crab with veggies got 4 forks. The crab Rangoon ranked a full 5 forks! Delicious filling with crispy wrap, just like it should be. The fried rice was not greasy or clumpy, actually had veggies and egg so we gave it 4 forks, which is high for fried rice. Most fried rice at buffets does not have the amount of goodies included like this.

The second plate had General Tso, Garlic Shrimp, Rice noodle Lo Mein and Beef with Brocolli. The Tso rated 3 forks as the Lo Mein also. The Beef and Broccoli was tasty and the broccoli had a crunch. Let's give it 4 forks. The Garlic Shrimp was the tastiest item on the plate, but as with Chinese shrimp, the shell is left on. Still, I gave it 5 forks for being cooked properly and seasoned to perfection. 

A small cold bar to the side also holds sushi, salad and fruit. The soup and rice bar also has Dim Sum. And what Chinese buffet would not offer the sugar sprinkled "donuts" without a hole? Surely Ding How would not disappoint in that department, and they didn't. 

If you eat Chinese food, you should always have hot tea with your meal. The tea served at Ding How is an Oolong variety, and is quite good. Steeped perfectly and served in a teapot, there is enough there for a part of two to enjoy. Ask for one pot and two cups. It really goes great with the donuts.

Clean, great health inspection rating and great service go a long way in our world. 

Highest score we give is 5 forks.

Cleanliness = 5 forks

Service = 5 forks

Food = 4 forks

Total Average = 4 1/2 forks. 

The finish to a good meal in a Chinese Restaurant is the fortune cookie. Here are ours.

Ding How, a quaint little buffet.