We took in the Don Jose Mexican restaurant in Sebring at lunch today.
It turns out that the Don Jose Mexican Restaurant here is part of a small chain of Mexican restaurants, with a couple more of them of the same name found in New Jersey.
The Sebring Florida venue, perched as it it overlooking Lake Jackson, the watery heart of Sebring, is pretty hard to beat for ambiance. We took advantage of that fine location by sitting out on their spacious and screened back deck.
Unfortunately for the non-smokers in our party, Don Jose allows smoking on their deck. Depending on which way the wind was blowing and where you were seated, you quite likely, as we did, “enjoy” exhaled tobacco smoke along with your meal. They need a sign to alert folks that this may happen. Had we known, we would have opted to sit inside where smoke is not, presumably, allowed.
Inside the Don Jose venue is quite colorful and cool.
One of us ordered a Steak Pueblo without garnish – medium rare, two ordered Shrimp Enchilada, and one of us ordered Chilis Renellos.
It didn’t make our lunch experience any better, after having to move tables to try to avoid the smokers, that our server forgot to order one of the entrees, and that person got to sit and wait while the rest of us went ahead to eat. We might have waited, but since all of the food was delivered cool and congealed, we wanted to eat it while there was still some heat there. The steak, despite our server asking twice how we wanted it, was delivered extremely well done, not even close to medium rare.
Don Jose Mexican restaurant was not crowded on this Friday lunch. That made us wonder why the food was being delivered in cool to cold condition, and what it would have been like had Don Jose’s been busy?
Food is well priced. Alcohol is expensive – based on Florida standards – so be prepared to pay $45 with tip for lunch if you have a drink each and order one of the more expensive dishes. Halve that if you don’t order alcohol.
We recommend their deck for a nice view and a cool drink on a hot afternoon, as long as you can put up with the smokers. The food? We’ll pass, thanks anyway.
Don Jose Mexican Restaurant
4731 Lakeview Dr., Sebring, Florida 33870
W: http://www.donjosemexican.com
T: (863) 385-9326
Comments – in good taste – are welcome.
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