Take a seat: El Acapulco customers can sit inside or outside and still be pleased

For dinner on the porch of a Mexican hacienda, head to El Acapulco in Cape Girardeau. The restaurant invites customers into it's bright space through arched doorways and Spanish architecture.

Nick and Brianna Maldonado bought the restaurant in 2001. El Acapulco is part of a family-owned chain that also has locations in Poplar Bluff and Memphis, Tenn. Since the Maldonados took over, they added a veranda and new windows.

The side dining rooms are flooded with natural light from large windows, while plants and a waterfall make the center space seem like a rainforest meal. The shaded outdoor seating gives customers a chance to enjoy the few days of perfect Missouri weather.

"We try to provide good food and good service," Nick Maldonado said.

Customers said they liked that the food is reasonably priced and always tastes good.

"It is very good and filling for not a lot of money," Mallory Kiefer said.

Kiefer and Ashton Phillips were eating at the Mexican restaurant.

"It has a clean open environment with fast service," Phillips said.

Customers flock to the happy hour on Thursdays and a Mariachi Band livens up the place on occasion.

The menu lists dozens of familiar Mexican favorites and a few special dishes.

One of the new appetizers is sky, surf and turf dip, which consists of grilled shrimp, beef and chicken, covered with melted cheese. Another addition is quail, which is two deep-fried quails cooked in grilled onions, tomatoes and bell peppers, served with rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo.

Options are also available for those diners who prefer vegetarian meals.

El Acapulco Mexican restaurant is open seven days a week. Its hours of operation are Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

El Acapulco

202 S. Mount Auburn Road

332-1465