Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Imelda Estrella can be found in the kitchen of Estrella’s Family Restaurant in Bonsall cooking up some award-winning family recipes, some of which are secret. Imelda takes much thought to preparing her dishes and has taken home the ‘Best Overall — Professional’ award at the Avocado Festival Culinary Contest two years in a row. She also won a first place ribbon for her hot and spicy salsa in both 2004 and 2005. This year she also took home a blue ribbon for ‘Best Guacamole.’ Imelda was thrilled when she learned that she took both first place honors. Her marvelous tomatillo salsa is a secret family recipe, which she learned from her mother. The Estrellas, Imelda and her husband Ramiro, are looking forward to marketing their salsa through the Old Grove Company. Ramiro also lends a hand in the Estrella kitchen preparing his delicious Carnitas.
Imelda and Ramiro have been serving authentic Mexican cuisine at Estrella’s Family Restaurant for three years. The dinners always begin with a plate of wonderful and warm homemade corn and flour tortilla chips along with two flavors of salsa — mild and hot. In my opinion, the mild cannot compete with the spicy and hot. No wonder it wins awards — the smoky, spicy flavor is enhanced by the cilantro, fine chili peppers, onions and a medley of ‘secret’ ingredients.
The restaurant can accommodate diners both indoors in a casual atmosphere and outdoors in a cheery covered and netted patio (no pesky seagulls or pigeons). Nestled in the patio area are a variety of potted plants and a collection of terra-cotta wall pieces. The comfortable and attractive wooden chairs make the dining experience relaxing and pleasant.
The menu is traditional Mexican fare, which includes combination plates, seafood selections and chorizo items including Queso Fundido, a marvelous cheese dip flavored with chorizo.
The wonderful ‘Chicken Flautas’ is a chicken dish served with a twist. The tender chicken is twisted into a grilled flour tortilla flavored with spices and served with rice and refried beans. For $9.95 patrons may order beef or chicken flautas, which are garnished with salsa, sour cream and a sprinkling of grated cheese. They are light and crispy, unlike other flautas I have eaten.
Estrella’s Family Restaurant is located at 5584 Mission Road (Highway 76 at Olive Hill Road) in Bonsall. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Please call (760) 758-0310 for further information.
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