KINDER- — Jalapeño Rio, a Mexican-style tapas bar and restaurant specializing in small plates for sharing and signature margaritas, is the newest dining venue at the Coushatta Casino Resort.

The restaurant opened its doors Friday in the former Bar 7 located inside the lobby of the Seven Clans Hotel and was already doing brisk business during its first lunch hour.

“We had been talking for a long time about different things we could offer to our guests- — different types of food, different types of restaurants, new amenities- — and one of the things we talked about here was Bar 7,” Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Vice-Chairman Jonathan Cernek said. “Many people didn’t realize you could order food here. That it was actually a restaurant.

“Sitting down with the casino staff we realized that we had an opportunity here because 65 percent of our guests come from our neighboring state of Texas and they have a larger Hispanic population, and who doesn’t like Mexican food?”

One glance at the menu will confirm this is a Mexican restaurant.

Jalapeño Rio’s menu ranges from simple fare to authentic dishes created by chef Marcel Simon. Each dish focuses on fresh ingredients, including house-made guacamole, cilantro, jalapeños, corn relish and more.

“Sixty percent of the menu is appetizers, so that means we can sit around, socialize and talk and share food with our friends,” Cernek said. “I think that is what Coushatta is all about- — relationships, friendships, families and good food.”

The cocktail bar offers an impressive assortment of adult beverages, including its signature top-shelf margaritas made by hand, using freshly squeezed limes and small-batch, handcrafted tequilas.

All meals begin with complimentary tortilla chips and salsa.

During my recent visit, I enjoyed the fajitas, which were packed with flavor. The sizzling beef filling was served with grilled red and green peppers and caramelized onions, along with a side of pico de gallo, rice, refried beans and warm tortillas.

Other entrees include enchiladas with a choice of chicken, beef or shrimp and tacos with a choice of chicken, carnitas, beef or duck.

For light fare there is spicy chicken tortilla noodle soup filled with tender egg noodles and fresh vegetables, topped with crispy tortilla strips. The Mexican chopped salad is a delicious blend of romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, black beans, corn, avocado and cilantro tosses in cucumber advocate dressing, garnished with crispy tortilla strips.

My friends shared the Todo Los Bocados, a combination platter of appetizers featuring Mexican spinach dip, camarones y tapas, jalapeño relleno, tapa de Mexico and queso fundido. The queso fundido -— a distinctly flavored chorizo sausage blended with melted cheese and served with fried pita chips- — appeared to be the favorite of the table.

Other appetizers include Southwest egg rolls made with marinated chicken, fresh corn relish and spinach wrapped in an eggroll and served with avocado ranch dressing. Other favorites include nachos and quesadillas.

For sweets, try the apple empanada- — a sweet apple mixture folded into a flaky crust, baked and rolled in a bed of cinnamon and sugar or churros- — fried dough sticks rolled in cinnamon sugar.

The restaurant is small with seating for 80 guests, but the casual atmosphere is enhanced by the friendliness of the waitstaff and bartenders, creating an enjoyable dining experience for all ages.

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Jalapeño Rio is open 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

Jalapeño Rio is open inside the lobby of the Seven Clans Hotel at Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder. 

Doris Maricle

The Todo Los Bocados – a combination platter of appetizers featuring Mexican spinach dip, camarones y tapas, jalapeño relleno, tapa de Mexico and queso fundido – enjoyed with tortilla chips, salsa and a signature margarita. 

Doris Maricle