I admit it. This was the first time I had ever set foot in Mad 4 Mex. I didn't know where it was until a few weeks ago -- only that it was tucked away somewhere near the food court like every other restaurant on campus that is frequented by everyone at Penn.
Apparently, I really was one of the very few who were completely out of the loop.
The place was pretty filled for a Thursday night. The dimly-lit, kick-back-and-relax atmosphere was not just happening at the bar stools but throughout the entire restaurant. The loud Y-100-type music that was coming from the bar was a definite plus. Of course, being there during happy hour added to the ambiance.
My guest had a couple of Hoegaardens, and though I am hardly the alcohol connoisseur, I also was not above noticing their large and inexpensively-priced beer and mixed drinks selection for which even I had heard Mad 4 Mex was known. And that was just the beginning.
My initial glance at the menu seemed promising, with much to choose from besides nachos and quesadillas.
Out of the salads, soups, chilies, quesadillas, taquitos, empanadas, fajitas, burritos and enchiladas with every combination of meat, beans, cheese and vegetables possible, my guest had the Rib-eye Rito ($14) while I stuck with the Chicken Fajita Quesadilla ($6).
We also ordered the Nachos Grande ($6.50) which had everything on them from black beans to jalapenos, the Empa-combo-nada ($6), which they call "perogies gone south of the border," and Mad BBQ wings ($4.50).
The nachos could have been a meal in itself and are definitely worth ordering. The empanadas were plentiful too, and I was a little partial to the mushroom and potatoes one myself. My first-ever taste of buffalo wings was surprisingly good to me -- indicating just another thing I have been missing.
My quesadillas could have been tastier, but the appetizers more than compensated. I also tried some of the steak from my guest's Rib-eye Rito, which he thoroughly enjoyed and appropriately deemed "a bene."
For dessert, we tried the "I Scream Burrito," the only Mexican-themed dessert on the menu ($4). The warm brownie-filled tortilla covered in chocolate, ice cream and whipped cream was amazing.
What definitely added to my long-overdue Cal-Mex food experience was the service. It was a busy night, but our waiter came around pretty often and was helpful with his recommendations. Even the managers were up and around, checking the tables and chilling at the bar.
All in all, Mad 4 Mex is definitely the place to be after a long day or night, surrounded by a friendly atmosphere. Their half-price food and beer specials are at college-friendly times and are also worth checking out.
If you are looking for a place that takes the versatility of the tortilla to seemingly endless possibilities for an affordable price, you'll definitely find that at Mad 4 Mex. Of course, just about everyone knew that already, but for the rest of you, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see what the buzz is all about.
