Guadalajara (Clovis)

What's it like?

It's exciting to see a local favorite like Guadalajara expanding, especially during a time when other restaurants are closing up shop.

Their new location is considerably different than its sisters: it's a new building, it's part of a shopping center, it's in north Clovis. Oh, and the space used to belong to a Thai restaurant. That may not sound significant, but effects ambiance, since the family that owns Guadalajara has left the entire decor as-was; the only substitutions have been the music and menus.

I've been twice now—for lunch on Labor Day, and for dinner last night. Both times, I've ordered tacos a la carte, and I'm not sure how they've done it, but they've actually made the carne asada better. The new location also offers homemade tortillas.

I wish I could I could leave it there, but it's important to realize that this is a big undertaking, and the family is still working out kinks. The layout of the space is a bit odd, the clientele is different, and there seems to be high volume—while that's a positive, it puts a strain on a diner's experience during these first few months.

I trust that they'll work through these, and update the decor; last night a nearby patron even mentioned talks of expanding into adjacent space. Still, I can't help but feel that the new location is less "the real deal"—less genuine—that the locations in south and central Fresno. It's certainly less of a draw for me.

Okay, back to the positives: I could live off of Guadalara's salsa!