Mountain Madre Restaurant Review: Flair And Flavor

I have my go-to routes through downtown, and one of the paths from my favorite spot to park to my favorite spot to get some laptop work done is down Walnut Street, past Mountain Madre.

This sweet restaurant has been bringing flavorful Mexican-inspired cuisine to downtown for many years, and I always laugh at the cheery sign outside that reads “Soup of the Day: Tequila!” After all, so many of us have days when a soup bowl of tequila sounds like a welcome retreat from the to-do list.

I’ve visited multiple times, and every time I go, I’m impressed by how light and comfortable the space feels. I’d be a big fan of choosing it for a first date, even though marriage has meant I haven’t been on one in 10 years. Rather than an overly romantic, dim feeling (for a first date, that’s a lot of pressure!), this space feels lush and elegant, airy and simple at the same time.

I recently got to go for a date with my husband, a rarity in the busy hustle and bustle of parenting, work, and the rest of the things that take up our days. Getting to walk down the semi-quiet of Walnut Street and get seated at Mountain Madre felt like the opening up of a little quiet space, a chance to really chat without constantly moving some laundry or grabbing some snacks for a toddler.

My husband ordered and loved the Carnitas, a simple dish of slow-roasted pork shoulder that has been both shredded and pan-seared to perfection alongside ultra-fresh salsas, rice, and beans. I dug into the Summer Kale Salad, perfectly sweet with apples and strawberries as well as walnuts, all tossed in a bright herb-lemon vinaigrette and dusted with cotija.

Making a flavorful meal here isn’t hard, and as my husband sipped his Spice of Life margarita, complete with its strawberry, lime, serrano chili syrup, and lava salt, I perused the menu for clues as to what makes this place such a treasured favorite in town.

Mexican food can really go a lot of ways. I personally love the fried tortilla shells, the cheese on everything, and the rich and flavorful sauces, but the proportions at a typical Mexican restaurant can lean on the heavy side, prompting a nap afterward. Mountain Madre, for the most part, leans the other way – yes to flavorful carbs and cheese, but only in reasonable moderation alongside fresh proteins, veggies, and spicing.

You can start your meal with delicious Street Corn topped with pico de gallo and cotija cheese sprinkles, or begin with an Arugula Salad flavored with Manchego and chipotle-lime dressing. Shared plates like the Charred Green Beans (flash fried in chipotle butter!), Loaded Nachos, or Chorizo-Stuffed Avocados with pico de gallo and chipotle-lime crema are all likely to be crowd-pleasers and may become the star of the show.

Mountain-inspired twists like the Jalapeño Hush Puppies, a fried food favorite in Southern culture, get a fresh twist with more of that cilantro-lime crema for dipping. Yum!

For main courses, you can opt for many favorites, from enchiladas to chimichangas to tacos, all artfully crafted and served with a beautiful presentation. Little things like the flavorful mezcal-lime creme on the fish of the day or the bright jicama and cabbage slaw atop the chimichanga all make you feel like what you’re eating was made with care and pride.

Best Restaurants in Asheville: Mountain Madre

I recommend that you and whoever you go with opt for one of the best things on the menu: the trio of dips. Your in-house cut and fried tortilla chips arrive with one of a variety of salsas – like verde, corn, spicy chipotle or pico de gallo – or bean dip, queso, or guacamole.

The most unusual options for your trio are the picklemole and baconmole, which are just like they sound: guacamole with pickles or bacon added. Few things are more decadent than a chip topped with guacamole and bacon!

If you happen to stop by on Sunday during the brunching hours, there are chilaquiles and a breakfast-focused chimichanga, as well as mimosas, Bloody Marys, and spritzers available for your day drinking enjoyment.

Where you’ll find variety like nowhere else in Asheville, though, is on the agave bar. Agave-based spirits have been growing in popularity, and like so many of the craft revolutions in beverage production, spirits like tequila and mezcal more broadly have been growing in their variety and flavor.

You can try very high-end or very affordable agave spirits at Mountain Madre, and if you aren’t sure where to start, consider having each person order a different one and try to pick out the complex tasting notes on them.

This is the kind of experience you can continue returning to every time you’re here, enjoying a single pour of each unique bottle until you find one (or more!) that makes you want to seek out the bottle. It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy fancy bourbons, and I’m glad that there’s somewhere in Asheville where tequila, mezcal, and other agave spirit lovers can try the whole rainbow of options.

If you prefer your spirits blended with something sweet or savory, the cocktail menu will offer you many options as well. Consider the Beekeeper, a house-made cocktail featuring smoked Blanco tequila, a chile liquor, lemon, honey, and lavender bitters, or opt for the Green Goddess, which brings in pineapple, ginger, kale, cucumber, cilantro, and green apple to a Blanco tequila, mixing in a bit of that same chile liquor and some fresh lemon and lime for a drink that covers most of your needed food groups!

Overall, what Mountain Madre brings to the table is a combination of an up-market ambiance with an easygoing and attentive service staff and a menu bursting with unique flavors and familiar Mexican staples.

Whether you’re sipping your way through a Margarita Flight as part of a big celebration or just happily finding your vegan and vegetarian options are quite substantial with a menu that lends itself to flexibility and substitutions, you’re sure to leave well-fed, happy, and maybe even a little tipsy on agave spirits.

Mountain Madre Mexican Kitchen & Agave Bar: 13 W. Walnut St, Asheville