New Vancouver cantina Jalisco
offers comedy, Karaoke, music
The intersection with the heaviest traffic in Vancouver, Wash., is where I-205 and Mill Plain Blvd. intersect, with the addition of Chkalov Dr. to help folks get around; this is where you will find the newest restaurant and cantina in Vancouver.
Jalisco Mexican Grill and Cantina opened two months ago, but it’s born from a long legacy of restaurateurs. It is part of a family-run restaurant chain that runs several Mexican restaurants, with one as far away as Connecticut!
Andre Paradise, Comedy Host
(Photo by Eric Donaldson)
From the outside, Jalisco Mexican Grill looks much like most of the other strip-mall single-wide storefronts you see all over the area nowadays. Once inside, this writer and companion were amazed at the large, wide-open spaces the business occupies. There is a huge room available for dining, as well as for special group meetings or events, a somewhat smaller room for dining and a large, comfortable bar/dining space as well. The spaciousness of the business was surprising, with its tidy, compact entrance.
The staff is made-up of warm, nice folks, who are very experienced, and seem to know the menu and the make-up of the dishes quite well. Speaking of the menu, it’s huge! There are lots of items, and several are vegetarian, even including a cactus burrito! The menu is very well laid-out and offers translations and explanations to help non-Spanish readers navigate the terrific numerous offerings.
Jalisco Mexican Grill and Cantina is run by Nicolas Rodriguez, who is very helpful. This writer shared a couple of good laughs with our excellent server Edgar Valdez, who was very helpful suggesting drinks and/or dishes to enjoy. The servings are big! Yes, it’s true; any one entrée dish could have been split with something left over to take home. From the chips and salsa (and warm refried bean dip), to the last sip of Negra Modello Ale to finish things off, it was an excellent meal!
There’s entertainment too! Plans are in the works to have Karaoke in the cantina a few nights a week; you’ll likely be able to sing-along most any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. There is live music every-other weekend, alternating between the usual bands in the area and Mexican bands, as availability and customer requests demand.
The big entertainment news for this reporter is comedy every-other weekend! Vancouver now has a comedy club and its name is Jalisco Mexican Grill and Cantina. This past weekend featured local comedians Rissa Riss and Sharon Lacy in a very funny night, hosted by Andre Paradise, who has appeared on Comedy Central, HBO, BET and Last Comic Standing, among many others. He splits his time between LA and PDX.
Paradise will be the host for comedy nights every second and fourth weekends. Starting in August, there will be a $5 cover for comedy. It’s money well spent for all the laughs that you’ll get in return.
All-in-all, it’s a good addition to Vancouver’s night life. Jalisco Mexican Grill and Cantina does catering, hosts birthday (and other) celebrations, provides a juke box, pool tables, big-screen TVs and lunch specials, along with the Karaoke, bands and comedy. Prices are fair, helpings are huge and the food is terrific; it’s well worth a visit, especially on comedy nights.
Jalisco Mexican Grill and Cantina is located at 512 S.E. Chkalov, Vancouver, Wash., 360-882-7835.