Mama Loca's Cafe

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OPEN NOW - Closes at 9:00pm

After hearing several friends talk about the "diamond in the rough restaurant" we decided to make the trip to Ash Grove to see if what we were hearing was true. For starters the drive to Ash Grove from Springfield was not was far as we thought, only 14 miles, and it was all highway. Way better than trying to drive to the south side of Springfield.

Finding the restaurant in the town was not as easy as we would have thought (they need more signs in town directing people off the highway to the downtown area). When we arrived on Main Street, it was easy to figure out where the restaurant was, because there were so many cars parked in front of it.

Walking in, it was the atmosphere that first caught our attention. I was immediately reminded of a John Wayne move as the Cantina was painted very similar to the one in Rio Lobo. Lots of bright colores, can easily make you think you are in Mexico itself.

Once seated we were given chips and salsa. The chips were thin, crisp, and very light. The salsa was HOT, but very flavorful. Despite the heat generated by the salsa, it was easy to eat and hard to stop eating.

The beer was COLD and tasted fresh. I had the senior Marc's which was a lot of food. In fact it was almost too much, but it was so good I could not stop eating. My wife had the steak fajita's. I was only able to steal one bite of them as my wife did not want to share her new found "Favorite Meal Anywhere." I must concur with her assessment of the fajitas as being the best. I do not think I can recall ever having tasted their equal.

The restaurant is very spacious, but is divided in such a way that makes you feel at home. We did not know anyone, but could tell several of the people there did. However neither of us felt like out of towners. The staff was so friendly it felt as if we were regulars (and we will be from now on).

The owners both came by our table and greeted us at two different times, first the husband, who seemed to be the bartender/cashier then later the wife (Mama Loca herself) who is the chef. That was a very nice touch, and after talking to them could see how it is their personalities that breath the air of friendliness into the staff and building itself.

I would recommend Mama Loca's to anyone wanting to enjoy really great Mexican Food, and enjoy the atmosphere of a place that makes you feel at home. I wish there was some way I could share this gem of an eating experience with more people because my wife and I are both giddy feeling like the kid who has a new secret and has to share it.

We will be returning in a few weeks and may post another review it we try something new. It will however be hard to make ourselves try something else after eating the faijtas.

We have eaten here for the last two years thinking it would get better but it hasn’t, they have moved to a newer bldg but have not changed their food BLAND (I know real Mexican is not spicy but it does have flavor) Their chips are not homemade , they are fried in the back but not made there. Their wait staff has always been good and their new bldg very nice but I will be going to El Venero in Willard and I am sure it will not cost me $84 for 3 adults and 2 kids