RESTAURANT REVIEW
A Flavor Fiesta Cinco de Mayo was a month away, but the craving for Mexican flavors was already hitting me hard. The good thing was that I lived in an area with plenty of options: I could easily have DoorDashed from the tried-and-true eatery in town or taken a drive to the burrito or taco chains right down the road. I imagine most Bergenites have similar luxuries. But on that rainy April Saturday, my girlfriend and I wanted to try a new destination for Mexican cuisine, a place where we could not only find the familiar chili and cumin flavors but also experience a genuine fiesta vibe. The answer, at least based on colorful and mouthwatering social-media images, was Mexico Mi Amor, which had opened in Dumont about two weeks earlier. We traveled a little more than 30 minutes to get to the storefront, and upon entering we both felt this was the place. The Instagram-worthy dining room was packed for dinner: Families, couples and big groups filled the tables, each one loud with laughter and conversation. A patron at one of the tables was even donning a restaurantsupplied sombrero as staff serenaded him with a Mexican version of “Happy Birthday.” Our table was situated next to the bar, a feature likely left over from the building’s previous tenant, as Mexico Mi Amor is BYOB. Though we didn’t bring any wine or spirits, a quick survey of the room showed that most tables had a bottle or two. Apparently, everyone else wanted a fiesta as well. (The restaurant offers to mix margaritas or sangria for those arriving with their own tequila or wine.) The menu was made for good times: cheesy nachos, assorted tacos, sizzling fajitas, Mexican burgers and even breakfast options. For our dinner, we started with an order of guacamole. The description noted that it could be prepared either mild or spicy, but our server never asked for our preference—which didn’t matter to us, as we enjoy any spice level. We were surprised, however, that the dish contained an unbalanced ratio of guac to flour tortilla chips. Though the dip had a crisp, fresh taste, there was little of it to fully appreciate. Our second appetizer was sopes de queso, a popular
MEXICO MI AMOR 132 Veterans Plaza, Dumont, 201.244.5555; mexicomiamor.com BERGENMAG.COM
BERG.0525.restaurant rev.indd 90
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Mexican street snack. It’s a trio of handmade warm corn masa shells with refried beans, Cotija cheese and veggies on top—one of my favorite Mexican small bites. Mexico Mi Amor’s steak street tacos are another great bite. My girlfriend and I shared a serving of three as a side order, and the flavor of the juicy meat with fresh cilantro and red onion was an ideal lead-in to our main courses. Mar y tierra, the restaurant’s version of surf and turf, was my entrée selection. It came with bitesized shrimp, grilled beefsteak, refried beans, rice and vegetables. The shrimp were on the smaller side, and the steak (likely the same cut used in the steak tacos) was well-done instead of my preferred medium-rare—but it was still well flavored and tender. It’s not a Michelin-starred surf and turf, but this dish will satisfy most palates. My girlfriend, meanwhile, ordered mojarra, a large, sauteed tilapia filet with a simple mixed greens salad. The fish looked wonderful; the meat cooked to a perfect golden brown. It also had outstanding flavor, thanks to the mix of spices and a light breading. Her only qualm was that the fish retained too much oil from the sautéing. My solution, when she handed over the half filet she couldn’t finish, was to let the accompanying rice soak up some of the excess grease. What a catch! Though my dinner date barely had stomach space left for dessert, I was ready for a couple of sweets. Unfortunately, on this night, the restaurant had run out of flan, so we went with just one option: churros with chocolate sauce. Each churro was flawlessly fried and delightfully sweetened with cinnamon and sugar. The dish came with a tealightheated chocolate dipping sauce, of which my girlfriend used much more than her share. (I thought she was already full!) The treat was an enjoyable and tasty way to cap the meal, one that satisfied my cravings and checked off most of the boxes for an ideal dining experience. Where Mexico Mi Amor really makes the grade—and becomes a more than worthwhile destination—is with its lively atmosphere. You can’t DoorDash that. —Darius Amos
Photos by Darius Amos
Dumont’s new Mexico Mi Amor offers great tastes and an even greater vibe.
MAY 2025
4/16/25 3:35 PM