Chiquito, Clifton Moor, York

So it’s great that a new Mexican restaurant has sprung up less then two miles from my home. Chiquitos is nestled between Frankie & Benny’s Italian restaurant and The Flying Legends pub at Clifton Moor, York, close to the Vue cinema and TenPin bowling centre.

Like Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquitos is part of a national chain. It was set up as the “original Mexican Grill and Bar” in 1989.

We arrived on a cold and icy Saturday teatime, after a game of ten-pin bowling with friends, which I lost by one measly point. The first thing we noticed, apart from the warm welcome by the staff, was how smart it was. Black and white photographs from the “homeland”, together with a few piñata donkeys and the essential Latin American music in the background gave it a buzzing ambience. After ordering drinks, ice cold Coronas, wine and Cocoa Colas (for £2.45 you get free refills all night), we set about the menu. And what a menu! It took a good quarter of an hour for me to pick my meal, and even then I still wasn’t sure.

Appetisers, which start at £3.45, include chilli poppers (breaded jalapeños crammed with cream cheese), Acapulco shrimp salad, bacon, avocado and chicken salad and loaded potato skins.

Then there are the dishes to share, which includes the Ultimate Combo (£17.45) – a selection of potato skins, chicken wings, shrimps, chilli peppers, onion rings and corn on the cob.

In these times of watching the pennies, we decided to forego individual starters and share a plate of Fiesta nachos (£7.85) instead.

We were then surprised when two small bowls of tortillas and salsa dip arrived. Surely, these can’t be our nachos we thought. But just as I was about to complain, the “real” nachos magically arrived.

We received a mountain of crisp had-cut tortilla chips smothered in enchilada sauce, melted cheese, jalapeno peppers, guacamole, sour cream and homemade salsa. They were simply divine, even though the fiery jalapeno peppers brought tears to your eyes.

I do try to make this at home, but pouring grated cheddar and chopped up green peppers on a handful of Doritos then shoving it under the grill doesn’t quite taste the same.

Like the starter menu, the main meal choices were also pretty impressive. All the Mexican favourites were there – enchiladas, tacos, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, quesadillas and chilli con carne, as well as more unusual ones such as swordfish Naranjhita and Chipotle meatballs.

For those not wanting things too spicy, there was a selection of “Big Eat Burgers”, as well as steaks, chicken skewers, lamb shank, various salads and homemade wraps. Prices range from £6.95 to £14.95.

Although primarily catering for meat eaters, Chiquito does have a selection of vegetarian dishes.

My main course – chilli beef chimichanga – was outstanding. I was treated to two crunchy fried flour tortillas stuffed with Mexican-style rice, Monterey Jack cheese, jalapenos, plus sour cream, salsa, guacamole and wonderful refried beans.

My wife, Jayne, was equally impressed with her sizzling vegetable fajitas. They arrived at our table on a red-hot platter with smoked onions and peppers, together with salsa, sour cream and guacamole. You also got a pile of soft flour tortillas for rolling. Our friends gave the thumbs up to the vegetable chilli tacos (four crunchy corn taco shells filled with a mix of vegetables and Mexican rice), and the Philly steak burger (shaved rib-eye steak topped with chilli con queso cheese and served with salad and fries).

The one thing that worried us about going to a Mexican was what on earth would our children eat, especially as they say smoky bacon crisps are too spicy.

But, worry not. Chiquito is very child friendly and has drawn up special menus which cater for all tastes.

For £3.95, £4.75 or £6.26, youngsters can have a two-course meal and a drink. Choices include “not-too-hot” chilli, pizza, cheesy chicken pasta, Mexican meatballs, chicken nuggets, wraps and beef burgers. These come with fries or Mexican style rice and vegetables or beans.

Our two both had garlic bread and chicken nuggets, which they loved.

To keep the little ones amused, they were handed puzzle books, crayons and helium-filled balloons which insisted on rising to the ceiling.

The dessert menu did look tempting, but we were so full we decided to give it a miss. Maybe next time.

The meal for four adults and four children, which included drinks came to a very reasonable £88. If you’re wanting a fun night out with authentic Mexican cuisine, then Chiquito’s is the place to go. It’s simply Mex-cellent.

•Chiquito, Clifton Moor, York Tel: 01904 477900. Simon and friends visited the restaurant on December 6.