Caliente Grill

[MamaTyson74]

Have any of yall tried this place? I drive by it all the time and they never look busy. :confused:

[Scarlett O'Hara]

Haven't tried it, yet

[luvnlife]

I don't even know where it is

[fuzzis]

It's not bad. I actually thought about going by there today and getting chips and guacamole for lunch. Just that.

[kevin]

I like it and it's near home. I have a menu somwhere? Anyway they have some great Burrito's. The road work around the place hasn't helped Business but I met the owner's they are really nice.It's certainly worth a try in my opinion.

[Concernedforhburg]

I have heard if you enjoy mexican food, that one would be pleased with both the service and selection. Why not lets all have a dinner party there. I'm sure they could use the additional business.

We would park at Barn Hills they closed.

[kevin]

I agree the Sevice is a 10.

[thrillseeker]

I love it. except that you have to pay a little extra for guacamole and the cheese sauce. But its not that much. I would love to have Lunch there sometime with ya'll.

[Chichiguita]

Was there once. It was good. I would go back. It is way more tempting now that the road work is done.

[thrillseeker]

Its close to work for me so I can easily make it in an hour. Its getting harder and harder to find places around the 49/Hardy street intersection that I can go, eat and drive back in an hour.

[Butterball]

The young guys who opened it are from Columbia.....local kids trying to make a name for themselves by doing something common in an uncommon way -- good food, good service -- Eric has a degree & gone to some culinary school.

Lunch would be good because as had been said - with all the street construction I never see them very busy.................

[birthdaybunnie]

is it a mexican place? Duh (all for me)

[thrillseeker]

Kinda yes. They have burittos, quesidilla and seems like something else too. You choose steak, chicken or shrimp. Then you go down this line and tell them what you want added. There salsa is VERY good. I get the medium because its really hot to me. You do have to pay 50 cents for gaucamole and 25 cents for the cheese sauce. Its worth it though. I think I have gotten burittos, chips salsa and drink for like $8. Its not bad and plenty of food. Kinda reminds me of New York Buritto that used to be in the Sukura's building back in the late 90s.

[Hermione]

The food was good, the parking impossible. I had to back all the way out of a spot and down the lane, because there was no egress. Thanks for the Barnhill's update -- if I go back, I'll try to park there.

[noway]

Overpriced.. Any place that charges for water is over priced.. if you want salsa or chesse they charge for it..

[SoMissTV]

Overpriced..

You say that about any place that's not the soup kitchen.

[wilebill]

You do have to pay 50 cents for gaucamole and 25 cents for the cheese sauce.
They'd have to pay me to make me eat guacamole.

[Tully Mars]

Overpriced.. Any place that charges for water is over priced.. if you want salsa or chesse they charge for it..

Oh quit whining you big baby. :smt009 ;)

I would hate to see your reaction to prices in a "real" restaurant. :smt102

[thrillseeker]

Oh quit whining you big baby. :smt009 ;)

I would hate to see your reaction to prices in a "real" restaurant. :smt102


I would too. I dont think he goes to may of those. are he would be dead of a heart attack.

[Chichiguita]

Poor lil Noway...:smt009

[thrillseeker]

Poor lil Noway...:smt009

why you saying poor lil Noway. Has he ever bought you anything??? I am so shocked that night he bought me that beer that I almost fell out of the chair. I was NOT expecting that. I think he had a fever that night or something. And I am not trying to be mean.

[SoMissTV]

He's not poor; he has two subscriptions to Playboy. He has disposable income.

[thrillseeker]

So does anyone want to go to lunch there on Friday????

[primetime]

Sounds alot like Chipolte!

http://www.chipotle.com/

The nearest one is in Tuscaloosa. :( Top quality burritos and tacos. I'm hoping this place is like Chipotle. I'll have to give it a try tomorrow!

[Lylabean]

Joe has been and he liked it OK. He thought they were expensive, too.

[kevin]

Yeah To me it's about the same! I've been to that one in Bama!

[jojobeans1120]

I've not been there yet, but I'm lookin' for a new favorite Mexican place. El Mariachi Loco here in Petal has gotten NASTY!
Took the kids there for dinner, the food was cold and tasted like it was days old at best! We left, came home and cooked dinner! :smt086

[luvnlife]

I've not been there yet, but I'm lookin' for a new favorite Mexican place. El Mariachi Loco here in Petal has gotten NASTY!
Took the kids there for dinner, the food was cold and tasted like it was days old at best! We left, came home and cooked dinner! :smt086

Ohhhh! Don't tell me that!!!! El Mariachi is my favorite!!!!!!!!!!

[jojobeans1120]

Ohhhh! Don't tell me that!!!! El Mariachi is my favorite!!!!!!!!!!

If they don't do something FAST, I see being closed within a year! That is the second time I've been there and the food has totally sucked. Ivan isn't around much, and it has gone to hell...

[luvnlife]

Where'd he go?

[jojobeans1120]

He's spending all of his time at the other restaurant...
...wherever it is at. :smt102

[luvnlife]

Is it the new restaurant that's fixing to open on 11? I though I heard somebody say he was involved in opening it up.

[jojobeans1120]

I dunno, but they're letting this one go to hell in a hand basket!

[faithram521]

I have been to Caliente Grill several times and at first thought they were a little overpriced, the last time we went they had lowered their prices a bit. Either way it is very good. But I would not call it Mexican per se.

[dollfus46]

I have heard if you enjoy mexican food, that one would be pleased with both the service and selection. Why not lets all have a dinner party there. I'm sure they could use the additional business.

We would park at Barn Hills they closed.
Have it this Spring, and I can come. Heh heh heh.

[jojobeans1120]

Have it this Spring, and I can come. Heh heh heh.


;) :clap::clap::clap: ;)

[Kitty]

The guy who owns Caliente Grille was on The Pine Belt Talks Back radio program on SuperTalk Mississippi this morning.

He said they also offer catering in the form of a build-your-own-taco set up.

[brianinms]

It reminds me of a place called Moe's. Its more a Tex Mex than anything.

[faithram521]

It reminds me of a place called Moe's. Its more a Tex Mex than anything.

That is exactly how I would describe it to people but most don't know what I am talking about when I tell them it is just like Moe's

[brianinms]

That is exactly how I would describe it to people but most don't know what I am talking about when I tell them it is just like Moe's


Okay ... how bout this .... think Subway ... but replace the sandwich with a burrito.

[Kitty]

Okay ... how bout this .... think Subway ... but replace the sandwich with a burrito.

That is exactly how the owner described it on the radio show this morning.

[MamaTyson74]

Im up for meeting yall for lunch!! Just not this week :-( So far I have been at home yesterday and today with a sick kid. His fever is getting better but the coughing kept him up all night. Dr said Friday should be ok for him to go back to daycare with 2 days of meds in him. Im hoping he is so I can back to work tomorrow. I know they will have me busting my arse so me getting time to actually leave for lunch would probably be hard. Yall just let me know when & I will be there! Even on a weekend would be great, then we could do more then an hour.

[jill1179]

I reviewed it for Senior Lifestyles. I was impressed with the service and food. But not the cheese sauce. Tasted like water with a little cheese in it. Everything else was great though. The parking is terrible. The parking lot is a little too narrow.

[bityb]

I have been several times, i really like it. The burritos are HUGE:shock:. I assure you, your belly will be full when you leave.

[Hermione]

The parking is terrible. The parking lot is a little too narrow.

That's the main thing that keeps me from going there.

[Kitty]

I suppose you could park at the former Barnhills location, at least until that property is redeveloped.

[Hermione]

True, in fact I said that yesterday. Sheesh, my brain is totally turning into oatmeal.

[faithram521]

I was over that way the other day and it looks like they have redone the parking lot. It should be easier now.

[soulfoodz]

hey yall!

I am Eric, one of the young guys who started Caliente. I want to invite yall to come by and see me at Caliente and get a delicious burrito, and to let yall know that if you have a way to make caliente better feel free to let me know about it. Also, what do yall think about a drive-thru??

[Mike'sGirl]

A line of cars going thru a drive through might just worsen your parking problem.

[ynotme297]

you can park in the Masonic Lodge parking lot next door, they own the Caliente Grill building also.

[kevin]

hey yall!

I am Eric, one of the young guys who started Caliente. I want to invite yall to come by and see me at Caliente and get a delicious burrito, and to let yall know that if you have a way to make caliente better feel free to let me know about it. Also, what do yall think about a drive-thru??
I enjoy the food but the parking is so bad a drive through would be dangerous.

[543LISTguy]

That is exactly how I would describe it to people but most don't know what I am talking about when I tell them it is just like Moe's

WELCOME TO MOES!

[g8rfan]

It reminds me of a place called Moe's. Its more a Tex Mex than anything.


OMG! That's awesome! I JUST moved here and I was telling my husband how hard it was going to be living without a Moe's. I'll be checking this place out this week.
:clap: Happy dancing my big behind to Caliente!

[brianinms]

Now that I have eaten there a few times I can provide a better review. The parking lot has about 20 spaces which is more than adequate. Now that Ross blvd has been rerouted, it is really easy to get in and out of the parking lot.

The burritos are good, and taste stays pretty consistent although portion varies based on who is making your burrito. I get the combo which includes my chicken burrito, a small serving of chips and salsa and a drink for just over 8 bucks. It makes for a great and quick lunch as it hasn't seemed to really catch on yet.

It certainly isn't Moe's, but I think its more upscale feel makes up for the lack of menu choices. As for suggestions for improvement ... they should find a different package for the chips and perhaps provide you with a little more salsa. I guess I was spoiled with Moe's as they provide a salsa bar, so you can help yourself and try all the different salsas.

[Bliss_Point]

I've been there twice. The food is good and they have some unique options for Tex-Mex style food. But the service in there is what's really exceptional. I've never seen more a respectful group of young people who actually seem excited to be at work anywhere else in Hattiesburg (at fast-food type places that is).

[Mike'sGirl]

You can have the best food in town, and bad service will totally wreck your meal.
I'm glad to hear they have good workers. That means a lot.

[jkspatty]

I've been there twice. The food is good and they have some unique options for Tex-Mex style food. But the service in there is what's really exceptional. I've never seen more a respectful group of young people who actually seem excited to be at work anywhere else in Hattiesburg (at fast-food type places that is).

That sounds great. I am soooooo tired of the crappy attitudes just about everywhere. I will certainly check it out soon.

[sunnycorral]

Charles & Eric (owners of Caliente) are gutsy, kind, and very bright. Eric studied culinary arts, and Charles received his education from Southern Miss. Any hour of the day, one of them will be there, and they're always more than friendly. Food is spectacular; everything is fresh and prepared daily.

You really can't find two harder-working 20-somethings.
They just won an Innovator Award::clap:
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/NEIGHBORHOODS0101/803130360
OR http://www.pinebeltinnovators.com/support/innovator/innovators.html

Please swing by, try the whole wheat burrito, and congratulate them on their hard work and accomplishments. Hattiesburg is lucky to have these two choose it as home, and we need to celebrate their choice to stay here instead of going somewhere else. They are of the caliber that make this town brighter.

[sunnycorral]

I enjoy the food but the parking is so bad a drive through would be dangerous.

There's always the option to park a half block away (ie: Barnhills) and WALK. It's a new trend.

Additionally... if parking @ Caliente is a reason you HAVEN'T gone... please don't ever visit a city larger than Hattiesburg. You might wet your pants in frustration.

[brianinms]

I agree its good, but I disagree on the innovation. I ate at a place in Spartanburg,SC about 5 years ago that did the exact same thing and it was a 2 women operation. Oh and you cant forget Moe's either.

[sunnycorral]

Depends on the scope of "innovation" - it's innovative within the market area of Hattiesburg

[brianinms]

Depends on the scope of "innovation" - it's innovative within the market area of Hattiesburg

Yes, I certainly will give them that. :) However, they need a discount system or something for frequent customers. Their chicken burritos are addictive and I end up eating there 3 times a week.

[sunnycorral]

Haha agreed; they give you a free sopaipilla if you bring your old receipt in! :) They also have 2 burritos for 10 on Tues if you're a teacher or student, Medical Mondays, and etc. Ask them about specials next time your in.

[noway]

How do you get free water?

[brianinms]

Haha agreed; they give you a free sopaipilla if you bring your old receipt in! :) They also have 2 burritos for 10 on Tues if you're a teacher or student, Medical Mondays, and etc. Ask them about specials next time your in.

So on tuesday you save 2 bucks if you happen to be a teacher or student? Second question, who in the world could manage to eat two of the burritos? Hum, the heck with the sopaipilla ... I just want some extra chips and salsa.

[soulfoodz]

brianinms,

ask about the vip club next time you come in. sounds like a cheesy las vegas night club, but its a whole lot better. it is $10 that immediately becomes store credit for a future purchase. then, everytime you come in, give us the card to swipe and 10% of your purchase gets put onto your card as store credit. thanks for the input everyone and i hope yall will keep it comin.

Eric

[jkspatty]

Are there any healthy, low fat options at Caliente?

[primetime]

Hmmmm....

Subway inch grilled chicken combo is $9 and some change.
Caliente chicken burrito combo is $8.39, and more filling! :smt023

[soulfoodz]

jkspatty,

definitely. Both beans and rice are now virtually no-fat (under 1 gram per) The chicken and steak are cleaned as close to fat free as possible. The two raw salsas, the pico and the corn are excellent sources of antioxidants that are destroyed by the heat of cooking. Guacamole is a great source of mono-unsaturated fat which has been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels and is now being recommended by the US Gov. Cheese is bad for you, so go light or none.

So yes, there are many a fantastically healthy and delicious options.

And there's the x factor. Everything we have is made fresh every single day. Where else are you going to get corn salsa that was on the cob the night before? Why do we use more expensive romain? Because its better. Why add hours to each day oven roasting tomatoes? Because they are so good! Why don't we make enough salsa and guac and everything else to last us 3, 4, or 5 days? Because I love food. I love to eat it, and cook it, and serve it, and everything else about it, and we WILL NOT sacrifice the beauty of fresh for the sake of a little more effort. Fresh is healthy. If you have any questions when you get here, tell someone to get Eric. I'll help you out.

[Kitty]

Also, what do yall think about a drive-thru??

If you installed a drive-thru, you might want to consider doing it like Sweet Peppers at Lincoln Road/Broadway Drive, where they use the drive-thru for call ahead, take out orders only.

Otherwise, the drive-thru could get backed up. This happens occasionally at the Subway drive-thru on Old Highway 11, which has the same "build your own" meal concept.

[noway]

How do you get free water?


:smt102

[soulfoodz]

sorry noway,

Water will soon be free. Consider it d o n e.

[soulfoodz]

Kitty,

Good point. If the drive-thru is installed we are leaning towards set options that are universal, and most popular. For custom (standard) ordering, we will request that people come inside. What do yall think about that?

[Kitty]

Kitty,

Good point. If the drive-thru is installed we are leaning towards set options that are universal, and most popular. For custom (standard) ordering, we will request that people come inside. What do yall think about that?

Basically a drive-thru only menu?

That might work. You won't know until you try. :smt001

[jill1179]

Hey Soulfoodz.......we reviewed you in Senior Lifestyles (the publication I'm editor of)....PM me your address and I'll send you some copies if you'd like.

[noway]

sorry noway,

Water will soon be free. Consider it d o n e.



People on here think Im a tight wad for some reason.. I eat there alot and enjoy it.. I hate spending the extra 50 cents.. Thats 15 more minutes I have to work to pay for it :laugh:

[Conveyor Belt]

Kitty,

Good point. If the drive-thru is installed we are leaning towards set options that are universal, and most popular. For custom (standard) ordering, we will request that people come inside. What do yall think about that?

As a former window operated restaurant manager, that's not going to work... unless you like turning away customers.

Are you really going to turn down the $50 custom drive thru order and tell that person they'll have to come inside to order? IMO, that's just kind of rude...

Me, I hate places that tell you what to do; like the signs at Taco Bell that say please have your money ready, but then it takes them a minute to get your food to you... WTF? Ugh...

It would be okay to have it for a call ahead pickup only...

[Engelbert Humperdinck]

I'm not a fan of a drive thru at a more upscale type establishment. It seems to cheapen the place.

Some of my co-workers and I ate lunch there today, and it was really very good. I had printed the menu off of your website, and tried to explain it to them, which wasn't easy. The woman in the group, who usually has a bottomless pit for a stomach, said she was surprisingly full.

The amount of chips is adequate for the size of the main course, but the pico isn't exactly a salsa. I should have tried another one.

All in all, I enjoyed my lunch and will be back.

[Kitty]

Well then, maybe not a "drive-thru" but a "Caliente To Go" curbside service for call ahead orders, similar to what other restaurants have done.

[kevin]

Kitty has a good Idea with "Caliente To Go" curbside service. I like the outdoor dinning area you have and a Drive thru really isn't the speed I see for you. How about Delivery though?

[soulfoodz]

Caliente curbside is a def. possibility. The problem with it is it does not cater to the spontaneous nature of people looking for something to eat as they drive down the road. I know that I rarely decide what i want until i am ordering. Otherwise, everyone would call their order in ahead. So, the goal is to make Caliente available to those who DO NOT want to stop. They want to hit a drive thru or they won't come in. I have an idea that would speed the assembly process up quite a bit that is still being developed. I believe it would make us fairly fast, and maintain that food does not sit, waiting, for 20-40 minutes to be picked up. A drive thru is also of course very lucrative. Over 50% of fast food business is done at the drive thru today, and in anti-walk Mississippi, it is even more popular.

As per cheapening the restaurant, that was a huge concern of both mine and charles' when we opened. Later, i came to this realization. As long as no compromise in the quality of our product is made in the opening of a drive thru, it is simply a way to enable more people to eat an awesome fresh and healthy meal every day. To not do that because of a stereotype is giving in to the belief that that stereotype cannot be changed. Just like the one that says a healthy and fresh meal made from scratch cannot be had at a fast food establishment. I think we are working on that myth pretty hard.

Delivery is an option, but not one that we would really like to pursue to be honest.

Curbside is a definite possibility as a compromise to the drive thru idea.

Thank you all so much for the input. keep it coming.

[noway]

A great lunch today.. I hope you keep the 2.00 to make it a combo.. Last time I was there I remember paying extra.. I saw some friends with a big a$$ salad bowl? That might be the next thing I try.

The wait staff was good.. Very polite and nice.. My eyes got big when I noticed one of their ear rings :laugh:..

I was impressed today good bunch of workers..

[Butterball]

The wait staff was good.. Very polite and nice.. My eyes got big when I noticed one of their ear rings :laugh:..

..


I didn't know you ever looked that far up on wait staff (female) :smt103:smt103

[noway]

I have a great idea. Pick a day and call it myhattiesburg.com day. Get 10% off if you mention reading about caliente grill on myhattiesburg.com or tell the cashier if he doesnt we will post about him/her on myhattiesburg.com ;)

Just a one day discount for lunch or supper... :clap:

[Honey]

Hey and today I got that coupon for a free dessert. I can't wait to try that.

[soulfoodz]

noway,

we will do that....if yall get the word out to people outside this thread!!!!!

Honey,

That dessert is covered with lots of cinnamon sugar and well, you!

[luvnlife]

Woohoo Honey!!!!!!

[Conveyor Belt]

Man, you can get a crowd of 20-30 for a MH gathering... maybe more if you extended a discount...

[Kitty]

I had lunch at Caliente Grille today for the first time.

I really liked it, and will be back. :smt023

[soulfoodz]

im down to do some sort of discount day for my hattie members. Let me work out a deal and day, and in the meantime, yall help me get the word out to mh members, and I will make the discount happen.

E

[soulfoodz]

kitty,

awesome! thanks for letting me know too!

[Scarlett O'Hara]

im down to do some sort of discount day for my hattie members. Let me work out a deal and day, and in the meantime, yall help me get the word out to mh members, and I will make the discount happen.

E
You got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-D

[Pirate_129]

Mmmmm, burritos. I hop to eat lunch at Caliente tomorrow if all goes well. :smt023

[fullogirl]

Has anyone tried the Bancock Cafe on 49?

It say it is authentic Thai? It is really?

[proudtobefrompetal]

I had CG today for the 1st time - it was fantastic!!! I can't wait to try it again!

[soulfoodz]

Proud petal-an (?? maybe)

thank you!

[Pirate_129]

I'm eating a tasty Caliente burrito as I type this ! :clap:

[Honey]

I think I'll use my coupon for dessert tomorrow. I hope I can find that receipt now.

[luvnlife]

I have really got to try this place!
When's the next lunch bunch guys???