Conveniently located on Cortez Rd. W., Avocado’s Cocina Mexicana & Bar is gearing up to celebrate their first anniversary in June 2023. This anniversary also marks ten years after the owners first opened another Mexican restaurant on Manatee Ave. in partnership with a restaurant group. 

Avocado’s is the first single-ownership venture for the husband and wife team of Ramiro Ramirez and Glay Nimlin. Although the road to their first-anniversary milestone was a difficult one coming out of the pandemic era, the two seized the opportunity to take over the space formerly occupied by Lee Roy Selmon’s Restaurant and transform it into a new home for their treasured family recipes. 

This new space offers a modern and casual atmosphere that is organized around a well-appointed bar area that showcases their Specialty Margarita Bar.

Tables of all sizes accommodate parties of diners from couples to large family groups in the interior and outdoor patio area. The outdoor patio area is very popular for families and groups to gather after school events. I see it as a neighborhood spot for west Bradenton and the nearby IMG community. 

At the Specialty Margarita Bar, you can start with a Habanero Margarita served with Dulce Vida 100% organic agave tequila, Cointreau, and fresh squeezed limes on the rocks; or if you like something a bit sweeter, I recommend the Presidente Margarita, which is served with Presidente Brandy, triple sec, orange juice, and fresh squeezed limes.

There’s always the Skinny Senorita Margarita if you’re keeping track of your calories. It’s made with Patron Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh squeezed limes, and orange juice. They also offer all of the popular Frozen Margarita flavors such as lime, strawberry, peach, and mango. If margarita’s aren’t your thing, you can order from the full liquor bar, have a glass of wine, or choose from the selection of craft, domestic, and Mexican beers.

Their menu is organized into Starters, Combination Plates, Main Courses, Soups & Salads, and a section for your selection of custom Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas, and Enchiladas. The combination plates can include two or three selections and range in price between $12 and $15. Chips and salsa are always on the house. 

The Cha-Cha Chimichanga is probably the best dish I’ve tasted so far. It’s served with two fried flour tortillas with your choice of shredded chicken or ground beef (chicken was my selection) ) and then topped with cheese sauce, sour cream, guacamole, and shredded lettuce. It’s served with rice and beans. 

They also have the Pollo Borracho which is a grilled chicken breast topped with melted cheese, grilled onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes and the Carne Asada, which is a New York Steak with grilled onions, rice, beans, and tortillas. I bit off more than I could chew with the Senor Hambre, which is a huge burrito, as the menu says, filled with steak, beef, or chicken and stuffed with rice, beans, onions, tomatoes, and topped with cheese, green sauce and pico de gallo. Yes, all that. 

Avocado’s also has my favorite beans around. Theirs are cooked tender and full of flavor. They’re served separately, which makes a huge difference because they retain their consistency and have good seasonings. What sets this restaurant apart from other Mexican restaurants is the personal care the owners and staff take in the preparation of their dishes with fresh ingredients and good quality meats.  

I try to never end a meal without dessert and that category is also loaded. They offer Fried Mexican Ice Cream, Sopapillas, and Flan among others. Sweet sopapillas are basically a puffy fried dough pillow that is drizzled with honey, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. You’ve got to try them if you haven’t. 

Go online and check out the menu – I bet you you’ll find at least a handful of dishes you will want to try right away.

A great way to get your first taste of Avocado’s is to stop by for lunch and take advantage of their Special Lunch Menu. It’s available Monday through Friday until 3:00 pm. Prices on the lunch menu range between $9.99 and $12.99. 

Avocado´s Cocina Mexicana & Bar is located at  6510 Cortez Road West, Bradenton, FL 34210. You can reach them at (941) 243-3496 or place an online order here. They’re open 7 Days a Week, Sunday – Thursday 11:00 am. – 9:00 pm and Friday – Saturday 11:00 am.- 10:00 pm. Don’t miss out on Happy Hour every day between 2:00 pm. – 6:00 pm. 😊