I was not aware that Acapulco’s Mexican Family Restaurant & Cantina in Franklin, MA was a chain restaurant. Upon checking the restaurants website, I learned that this restaurant is part of a New England chain of at least 13 others of the same name and menu choices. Do NOT let that stop you.

Every single one of my visits (at least several) to Acapulco’s has been consistently right on. The service is fast and friendly and the food comes out quickly and delicious.

When you arrive you’re given (quickly, I might add, yet again)complimentary chips and salsa which at some Mexican restaurants means “Tostitos” out of a bag and “Old El Paso” from a jar. Not here. The chips appear to be homemade and the salsa is also. The salsa is especially delicious as its saucier than most fresh salsas and you really get the cliantro, garlic and onion flavors with the tomato ripeness front and center .

Their “El Presidente” margarita ranks up there with the best classic margaritas I have ever tasted. A delicious sweet and sour mix with orange and lime flavors that somehow tastes fresh although I cant imagine someone is actually squeezing fresh oranges and limes daily to produce it. Regardless, its excellent. A “Must Drink”!

For an entree Ive tried (and keep returning to) the Combo Nogales plate which I configure as a Pork Chimichanga and chicken Enchilada. It comes with rice and refried beans. In one word- delicious.

The Chimichanga has what appears to be a fried flour tortilla wrapped around slow-cooked moist pork (almost a pulled pork consistency) and monterey jack cheese. The enchilada is what you expect from a good chicken cheese enchilada, which is to say a nice baked flour tortilla outside with well seasoned chicken and Jack cheese inside, all topped with a red sauce and lettuce. The chimichanga wins the battle of great flavors in this combo. The rice and beans are also well made and better than average. Light fluffy yellow spanish long grain rice with real deal tasty refried beans.

It should also be mentioned that the waitstaff are always extremely friendly (albeit a bit cheesy\quirky with the “Hola amigos” greeting) and the service is EXTREMELY fast. I dont think Ive had to wait longer than 10-15 minutes between placing an order and receiving it in return. Whether or not thats a cause for concern for some should be eradicated by the time you take a taste or sip of whatever you have ordered.

All in all, the moral of this culinary story is “Dont assume chain restaurants mean boring, over processed food”. If you love Mexican food then you’re guaranteed to love something at Acapulco’s in Bellingham.