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If you haven’t been to downtown Springdale in a while, make Casa Alejo your first stop and feast on the slow-cooked Quesabirrias.
What IS it about Mexican food that is so comforting and delicious?
Perhaps it’s the fact that you are immediately given chips and salsa without even asking! Or maybe it’s because so many Mexican restaurants have the same menu, so you always know what to expect without disappointment.
Every once in a while, you walk through the doors of a Mexican restaurant, open up the menu, and are wowed with unique choices and a different kind of food experience.
Since the fall of 2022, Casa Alejo in Springdale has provided a unique food experience compared to your average Mexican restaurant. Their next location is in downtown Rogers.
The Birria
If you do nothing else, please come to this restaurant for their Birria choices! You won’t be disappointed. But first, you may ask, “What is Birria?”
Good question!
Birria is an adobo marinated meat stew or soup with goat or beef as the main protein. At Casa Alejo, they make their Birria with beef. This is not your mama’s beef stew (unless she makes Birria!) and is traditionally served at celebratory events such as weddings or holidays throughout Mexico. Birria is also known as Barbacoa in some regions of Mexico.
What makes Birria so insanely delicious is that glorious marinade. Traditionally, an herb-and-spice adobe sauce is made with cumin, bay leaves, thyme, dried chilies, garlic, and other herbs and spices. This adobe sauce is then cooked in a broth, which becomes the base for the meat and the dipping sauce.
See what I mean about calling it glorious?
Casa Alejo’s signature Birria has four offerings: the Quesabirria, the Pizzabirria, the Birriaramen, and Birria by the pound. As you can probably guess, one has queso, another has a pizza slant, and the third has ramen noodles. Clever, right?
If you want to go simple, order by the pound. It will come with the glorious consommé broth, cilantro, onions, and eight homemade corn tortillas.
I recommend the Quesabirria, which consists of three corn tortillas marinated in birria juice stuffed with mozzarella cheese, birria, onions, and cilantro. It is served with a side of the glorious consommé broth.
There is more than Birria.
In case you were wondering, yes, there IS more on the menu than Birria. Tons more, including cheese dips, enchiladas, fajitas, chimichangas, tacos, quesadillas and specials.
I highly recommend the Flautas Dip. You can even substitute Birria, which I did. Even though this is considered an appetizer, it stands on its own as a main entrée and will give you all the ooey-gooey comfort feelings.
One last fun fact is that you can make anything on the menu a bowl. For instance, I ordered the Blancas, three enchiladas stuffed with shredded chicken topped with cilantro, queso fresco, cheese sauce, and sour cream. It became a delicious fajita-like experience as a bowl, and I will do it again.
Warm hospitality
The space at Casa Alejo is cozy, with a charming patio out front to take in the lively downtown scene.
Inside are nooks and booths, or you can cozy up at the bar and chat with the staff. They’re friendly, and they are big supporters of the community. Whether it is local downtown Springdale events or serving those affected by the recent tornado in downtown Rogers, it’s no wonder why Casa Alejo has quickly become a local favorite.
101 W Emma Ave
Springdale, AR 72764
479-365-7222
HOURS:
Sunday – Closed
Monday-Thursday – 11 AM – 8 PM
Friday-Saturday – 11 AM – 10 PM
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