La Hacienda

Mexican food has long been one of my favorites. Along with Thai , Italian, and BBQ, I don't require much else.
The readers of Renton's monthly "Renton Reporter" recently had a "best of" reader survey.
They selected Torero's near Fred Meyer as Renton's best Mexican restaurant. I've been to that Torero's. It's okay. Competent but uninspired. I don'tusually agree with the readers of the Renton Reporter. It seems as though some places are liked simply because they're crowded, and I think Aztecas and Toreros fall into that category. Not bad, but kind of a fake festive "Hola, Amigos!!!. kind of place.
Tonight Diane and I dined at La Hacienda 711 S. 3rd St, Renton.
It's a long established place, and was the location for the very first Torero's, before it changed hands. Many customers at La Hacienda are repeat customers, and for good reason.
Service there is impeccable, and it's nice to go to a place and know that you'll be well taken care of. Two salsas and chips are brought immediately, one a regular salsa, the other a pico de gallo. Before you have even fully consumed these, the waitperson swoops in and refills the salsa.
Portion sizes are large, and La Hacienda does some things exceptionally well.
Diane had the daily special, which was a carne asada and prawns; I had steak fajitas.
The meat, for both of these, was unusually tender. Carne Asada is often too dry, but not here.
Margaritas here are popular and strong. The fajitas were nicely seasoned, and had lots of onions and yellow and green peppers.
I like the place but feel that it lacks imagination. El Agave in Skyway is a higher risk when you get there: It might be closed, or they've left the place in the hands of an incompetent waitperson, but the food is/was dazzling.
La Hacienda is a much safer choice. They're very consistent, and always good. The menu is fairly typical, not so unlike a Toreros or Azteca, but a very pleasant atmposphere, always good food, and always great service.
When I compared them to Torero's or Azteca, Diane insisted that they're MUCH better than Torero's or Azteca. I think La Hacienda is a more pleasant place to eat than Azteca or Torero's, and I like the food, but I think there are very few things there worthy of calling incredibly great.
That said, over the years I've gone there a lot, because the food is good, not too expensive, great service, and a pleasant place to dine.
So where's the best Mexican restaurant in Renton? There's more to investigate.
Foodwise, I'd still say El Agave in Skyway, if they're still in business. They have some incredible dishes there, though the place is dark and has small windows; It's the ghettto gourmet: Tilapia stuffed with crab and cheese but you might get shot before even entering the place.
Salsawise, it's hard to beat Casa Durango.
La Fuente has some incredible dishes. You can get halibut there.
La Hacienda is a good, solid favorite of many. You can't go wrong there, but I'm still looking to be dazzled. Dazzle me.