Fiesta Del Mar Too! has just the atmosphere I love. Crowded enough to feel like I’ve hit upon a hot spot, but not too crowded to get a table. That’s how it was Friday night when we headed to downtown Mountain View for what a friend promised would be fajitas better than Chevys (I am in search of the perfect fajita and, so far, Chevys fits the bill). Fiesta Del Mar Too! is the sister restaurant of Fiesta Del Mar, also in Mountain View. It was packed, even for a Friday night. Every table, except thankfully one, was taken—probably a direct result of the great food. We were seated so close to one couple that, when my water spilled, I managed to douse my neighbor’s open toed shoes…and her entire leg. To Fiesta’s credit, we barely realized I’d knocked the glass over before it was cleaned up. And I guess it’s a tribute to the restaurant that their customers shrug off spills and order another margarita, as my victim did.

We started by perusing the drink menu. My friend had one of Fiesta’s many Mexican beers. If you’re into having a mixed drink with your Mexican dish, they have a large selection of fun tropical drinks. I opted for an island breeze, which wasn’t all that breezy—a lot more booze than breeze (tequila, Midori and ammoretto); it looked appealing, even if it was a little strong.

While we sucked down our drinks, we admired the menu. This isn’t your typical Mexican restaurant. The menu is very creative, and fresh seafood is well represented. Old favorites get a new spin at Fiesta Del Mar Too!, like the fajitas marinated in tequila.

The tortilla chips are abundant and come with three salsas. It’s tempting to fill up on chips since they keep them coming. We started with the chicken tortilla soup, or sopa de tortilla. We split a half order, which was surprisingly large. It wasn’t too spicy and had generous pieces of chicken and tortillas toasted over the top. Delicious.

As a main course I had the "drunken" chicken fajitas (12.95) marinated in tequila and grilled alongside carrots, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro and squash. We should have split the order; the plate was huge. Very tasty, but a little too much, unless you’re starving. My problem with fajitas is that I never get enough tortillas. I am constantly asking for more. This place was no exception; I ran out on the second fajita.

My friend ordered the mole poblano (13.95): chicken breast with a dark rich sauce of dried chilies, ground nuts, seeds, spices and unsweetened chocolate. I probably could have eaten the sauce by itself, but it was even better smothered over the tender, boneless chicken breast.

We skipped desert since there was no room left, but the couple next to us ordered the flan and practically licked the plate when they were finished, so I’m guessing it was good.

Delicious food, quick service and a menu that will surprise you makes Fiesta Del Mar Too! a great bet. I still say Chevys wins for fajitas, but Fiesta Del Mar Too! is certainly a close second. Fiesta Del Mar Too!, 736 Villa Street, Mountain View, 650.967.3525.

--Tara Cottrell

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