Tough economical times mixed with the desire for good food, then added with the patience to create the perfect menu resulted in the return of the popular Fiesta Brunch at Masa Southwest Bar and Grill. Located in Woburn, the sister restaurant to Masa in Boston has done a fantastic job of incorporating Southwestern cuisine to American traditions.
However, it wasn’t an overnight idea or an easy mission to come up with the dishes for the brunch.
“When we first opened, we wanted to execute everything perfectly,” says Owner and GM Mohamad El Zein. “In order to do so, one idea that we had was to space out the different meal periods we would be open for. First dinner, then a month after brunch, then lunch. This way everyone would be trained properly on each meal period before dealing with the rest.”
It wasn’t until the recipes and menus met the highest standards that Fiesta Brunch finally became public, and the wait definitely paid off. Since opening for brunch the restaurant has been non-stop on the weekends.
“Guests love brunch,” says El Zein. “We have many baby showers, wedding showers, families, friends, and industry people that come in for a casual, delicious, and inexpensive brunch.”
The price for the Fiesta Brunch is $7.95, which gets you coffee or tea, a mix of different corn bread and muffins paired with complimenting spreads, and two courses. A deal that is almost hard to believe. The unique twists on each dish take you from an average brunch date to an actual dining experience. All servers and employees are knowledgeable of every item and are more than welcome to walk you through each drink and dish so you can prepare your taste buds.
With so many options to choose from it was hard to make a decision on what to get. Starting off, in true brunch form, I got a Bloody Mary, which was far from ordinary. Always served with a pickled Jalapeno pepper, I knew there was going to be a strong kick. Sure enough, within the first sip a mixture of sweet and spicy flavors flooded my senses. It is the perfect drink (to not only wake you up in the morning) but to pair with the savory dishes to follow.
I chose to start off with the Caramelized Plantain Empanada. Paired with Mexican cinnamon cream cheese, this appetizer, which could easily be eaten as a dessert, was the perfect starting dish. Flavorful enough to be satisfying and small enough to not fill you up.
Next I dug into the Huevos Rancheros with grated Cotija cheese (cow’s milk cheese which originated in Mexico) and Salsa Ranchero. The dish looked like a masterpiece. The two over-easy eggs were placed on top of a thin cheese quesadilla, and the whole thing was piled on top of frijoles negros (black beans). Just the right amount of salsa, sour cream and hot sauce was added but for those who enjoy a spicier dish, additional hot sauce was available.
I would also suggest trying the Stuffed Mexican Omelet. It is filled with chili-roasted vegetables and Monterey jack cheese, and comes with southwest home fries and toast. You will be able to smell this dish leaving the kitchen. The vegetables had a strong punch of flavor to them, greater than what is normally found in Mexican omelets.
Even though I stuck with the breakfast items, Masa serves up numerous lunch items as well. Grilled Skirt Steak, Fish Tacos and BBQ Mac n’ Cheese are just a few.
From the atmosphere and food to the servers, the whole experience was quite enjoyable and with the option to sit in the dining room or the lounge area, you can turn your brunch into a casual outing or celebration. For more information and full menus visit www.masarestaurant.com.
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About Masa Southwest and Grill
Fiesta Brunch is available every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Masa Woburn is also open daily for lunch and dinner. Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner: Sunday thru Wednesday 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Thursday thru Saturday 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Masa Woburn is located at 350 Cambridge Road. Call 781-938-8886 for reservations.