The long-running La Cazuela Mexican restaurant in Lawrenceville recently moved to an upscale downtown space that was formerly home to Sperata on the Square.
Owner Carlos Rodriguez oversees a mini-chain that includes three other La Cazuela neighborhood locations in Buford, Cumming and Suwanee, all with the same casual, family-friendly menu of Mexican-American favorites.
The look: La Cazuela Lawrenceville combines small-town Southern charm and a surprising fine-dining atmosphere. The main room is spacious and airy, with tall windows and a variety of seating options. There's a street-side brick patio with umbrella tables, and the separate bar area has a row of cozy booths and a clubby feel.
The scene: One afternoon, the place was crowded with local business people and groups of women digging into gratis chips and salsa and bargain lunch plates. At the bar, a regular remarked that he always orders the same thing -- the "Crazy Taco" ($5.95) -- a taco salad bowl, layered with shredded lettuce, seasoned chicken or ground beef, cheese dip, tomatoes and sour cream.
The menu: Much of the sprawling menu is multiple-choice variations on the tortillas-with-meat-and-cheese theme -- from nachos ($4.75-$8.50) and taquitos ($5.95) to burritos and quesadillas ($6.95-$8.45) and a hefty chimichanga ($8.45). But there's also ceviche ($7.95), a half-pound burger and fries ($5.95) and a chile-rubbed New York strip steak ($13.95) with veggies.
The drinks: Of course, the bar mixes up mucho margaritas, such as the Texas with Cuervo Gold and Grand Marnier and the Cinco de Mayo with Cuervo Silver and Patron Citronge liqueur. Beyond that, there's house-made sangria, a small selection of wines by the glass, plus the usual American and Mexican lagers, including Dos Equis Amber on draft.
The extras: Weekdays (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), look for lunch specials, including a $5.25 combo with two Tex-Mex items, rice and beans, and a $5.95 combo with soup and a soft drink. La Cazuela can accommodate parties up to 100 and offers "At Your Place" catering, complete with margarita machines.
Dining out
La Cazuela in Lawrenceville
11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; noon-10:30 p.m. Saturdays. Lunch specials: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.
Salads and starters, $4.50-$7.95; combos and entrees, $7.50-$24.95; lunch specials, $4.75-$9.95.
179 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville, 770-682-3481, lacazuela.com
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