‘THE DINING DIVAS’
‘THE OFFICE’ GIRLS
PAM, ERIN, KELLY, NELLIE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Each month, the Boerne Star sends its “crack team” of restaurant reviewers to an establishment in the area. These ladies — who have assumed the names of Pam, Erin, Nellie and Kelly, from TV’s “The Office” — select a restaurant, show up unannounced, and take in all the establishment has to offer. This month: Las Guitarras.
One year ago, the Dining Divas started this delicious adventure through Boerne’s restaurants, and what better way to mark the milestone than with live music and plates piled high with Tex-Mex comfort?
We sampled a true Main Street classic, Las Guitarras, where the building may have changed over the decades, but the place’s soul is as welcoming as ever.
Pam couldn’t join us, so Erin, Kelly and Nellie raised a glass in her honor and dove in.
The moment you step inside, the energy hits you.
“It’s warm, busy, loud; in the best possible way,” Kelly laughed. “I’ve lived here over 20 years and watched this building transform so many times, but that lively, welcoming vibe? Still going strong.”
Bright lighting bounces off the warm wood walls, colorful décor pops everywhere, and a one-man band on keyboard (who even pulled out a flute midset!) kept the whole room smiling.
It was a touch loud at our table, but as Kelly put it, “He was such a fantastic entertainer, I didn’t mind one bit.”
The menu is wonderfully long — perfect for big groups or picky eaters — so we had plenty to choose from. Nellie did joke that if Gordon Ramsey ever entered the establishment, he’d insist they cut 70% of the items.
Erin zeroed in on the chile relleno and was not disappointed.
“It came out smoky and tender,” she said. “Stuffed with juicy carne asada that just hit all the right notes.” The beans were silky, the rice warm and comforting; nothing was trying to steal the show, everything pulling its weight.
“That little side salad added exactly the fresh crunch the plate needed,” Erin added. “Simple, soulful, perfect.”
Kelly, still riding the nostalgic wave, went for the green enchiladas.
“Three soft enchiladas absolutely packed with cheesy goodness,” she reported, “then topped with this tomatillo sauce that was tangy, bright, a little spicy, and so fresh it tasted as if they’d just made it.”
The usual rice, refried beans, lettuce, tomato, and a dollop of guac rounded it out. “But honestly,” she said, “I could have eaten just the enchiladas and been happy. I cleaned the entire plate; no regrets.”
Nellie, forever our resident adventurer, couldn’t resist the chicken raspberry chipotle, a dish she described as “a balanced blast of tart raspberries and smoky chipotle chiles, sweet, tangy, and that perfect savory heat all in one bite.”
Grilled chicken arrived tender and glazed with the vibrant sauce, served over creamy mashed potatoes that soaked up every drop.
“Medium spice,” she clarified with a grin, “enough kick to keep you awake, but the raspberry sweetness keeps it from ever being too much.”
From the live music to the generous portions and flavors that feel like a hug from an old friend, Las Guitarras reminded us exactly why we started this journey a year ago: Boerne is full of places like this one — vibrant, delicious and full of heart.
Here’s to another year of full plates and great company. We’ll be back ... and next time, we’re dragging Pam with us.
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