High quality food, made to order, in a fast-casual setting

There are numerous Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas, but there are not many that serve a wild boar taco or calamari as specialty items and cook certified Angus beef and organic chicken from Texas on a mesquite charcoal grill.

Joey Shashy, president of MiChula's Good Mexican restaurant, said the establishment has accomplished this, making it one of few area places to serve high-quality food made to order in a fast-casual setting.

Shashy, former founder, president and CEO of Mexican restaurant Uncle Julio's, opened MiChula's on Thanksgiving weekend in 2007 in Southlake along with partners Guy Boutilier, Antonio Hernandez, Jerry Green and Richard Davis who all also worked at Uncle Julio's.

Although MiChula's service is intended to be fast, the customer service provided is what guests might expect from some of the most upscale restaurants, said Boutilier, the executive cook.

"As owners we are visible every day, and we are readily available to our customers," Boutilier said. "With most of our customers we are on a first–name basis with them, and we know what they order because when their order is taken we always ask their name."

Because of this Boutilier said the establishment has many repeat customers ranging from the local football coach to city officials.

MiChula's is also unique in that its meat choices are not just limited to the typical steak, chicken and beef but include seafood as well.

The marinated grilled mahi mahi fish tacos ($9–$13.50), topped with poblano crema and mexican slaw, are one of the popular seafood dishes, Boutilier said, along with the shrimp brochette ($18.95), which consists of six mesquite-grilled, bacon–wrapped jumbo Gulf shrimp stuffed with jalapenos and Monterey Jack cheese.

Green said MiChula's takes service a step further from most fast-casual businesses and offers catering and delivery with a 15–person minimum as well as a happy hour from 3–6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"When we bring the food to the business or the event, we don't just drop it off," Boutilier said. "We set up everything for them and make sure they have everything that they need before we leave."

MiChula's Good Mexican Restaurant

1431 E. Southlake Blvd., Ste. 551, Southlake (Shops of Southlake), 817-756-6920,www.michulas.com

Hours: Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.