El Vaquero, Summerville Road, next to Piggly Wiggly

After living in the south for nearly seventeen years, I suppose I should have gotten used to the fact that salsa tastes like ketchup. El Vaquero's salsa isn't as bad as some other restaurants around, but I personally wouldn't classify it as salsa. Maybe "mexican style tomato sauce". I wish they'd put a mess of cilantro in it, and maybe some chunks of tomato, some onion, and some garlic... Oh yeah, and some spiciness. Then it might qualify as an actual salsa. I know it's a lot to ask for here in Phenix City, but I can dream.
This is my first visit to this new restaurant. It used to be a CVS pharmacy, I think. When I walked in I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it looked. The attention to detail in the decorations and furnishings is apparent. The hand-painted tables are worth the visit.
It would have suited my preference if they had divided the dining area up a little more into more intimate seating areas. As it is, it feels like a mexican cafeteria. But it is a nice looking cafeteria.
Now for the good part. One of my absolute favorite things is carnitas, deep fried chunks of pork. I have only seen carnitas on the menu at one other restaurant in the area, and it's more like al pastor style than just plain old carnitas. But I sometimes ask if a mexican restaurant has carnitas just to see if I get lucky. Well, ladies and gentlemen, today was my lucky day. Not only does El Vaquero have carnitas, they have really good carnitas. And the salsa that comes with it is what I wanted at the beginning with my chips. I'll definitely be back for more carnitas in the future.
Food: 5, yay carnitas
Service: 3
Ambiance: 4 with reservations about the cafeteria room
A little piece of deep fried pork heaven: $7.95

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