News

Two Madres enters Mexican fast casual market

September 11, 2013

Two Madres Mexican Kitchen, the latest concept by the Galardi Group, has opened its first fast casual unit in Mission Viejo, Calif. With an emphasis on bold flavor profiles and customizable options, Two Madres offers burritos, tacos, bowls, salads, and tortas created with fresh, all-natural ingredients handmade daily by a chef-trained team, according to a company press release.

Satisfying meat-lovers, vegetarians and gluten-free diners alike, Two Madres combines New World flavors with the traditional Old World ingredients that influenced early Mexican food, said Brent Omeste, corporate chef at Two Madres Mexican Kitchen. Cocoa, papaya, jicama and chiles come together with tamarind, cilantro and tomatoes to create exciting taste combinations that infuse bold flavors into chicken, pork, beef, fish and vegetarian dishes, he said. Made-from-scratch sauces, salsas and dressings, such as tamarind garlic sauce and grilled pineapple salsa, are made fresh on site every morning with fresh produce, herbs and spices.

With years of chef and executive chef experience at Orange County restaurants, including Charlie Palmer, Cucina Enoteca and Marché Moderne, Omeste brings upscale culinary skill to the Two Madres kitchen.

"Our kitchen looks like a farmer's market; lots of fresh tomatoes, chiles, pineapples and fresh herbs everywhere," he said. "I'm proud to be a part of what Two Madres kitchen stands for: combining fresh and sustainable ingredients with age-old cooking techniques to create dishes that are high-quality, but served fast at a reasonable price point."

The menu is designed to allow guests to customize their perfect dish, Omeste said. First, "Pick It," and choose either a Burrito, Tacos, Bowl, Torta or Salad. Then "Fill It" with the large variety of proteins to choose from including chipotle-citrus marinated rotisserie chicken, grilled steak rubbed with garlic, lime and spices, slow-cooked hand-shredded pork marinated in adobo, wild-caught and grilled Ono fish or mixed, grilled vegetables. Lastly, "Own It," by building your personal flavor creation choosing your salsas, sauces and toppings from a delicious list of fresh ingredients including: Seasoned fiesta, white and brown rice, slow-cooked black and pinto beans, a variety of cheeses, and fresh produce chopped daily such as the crisp jicama slaw. Guests can add additional levels of flavor with their choice of homemade salsas, sauces and dressings including cilantro aioli, roasted pasilla salsa, chipotle césar and hibiscus citrus vinaigrette.

Children's menu items also are available including quesadillas, burritos and tacos served with a kid's size chips and juice or milk.

Underscoring its commitment to serving natural and sustainable ingredients, Two Madres Mexican Kitchen procures meat that is fresh and never frozen, and is 100 percent free of hormones, steroids and antibiotics, according to a company press release. Organic produce is sourced locally whenever possible and all dishes are prepared without a trace of trans fats or lard.

Two Madres Mexican Kitchen is located in Portola Plaza at 27690 Santa Margarita Parkway in Mission Viejo.

Grand opening

To celebrate its grand opening in Mission Viejo, Two Madres Mexican Kitchen is inviting the community to visit the restaurant this Friday and Saturday. The first 100 guests both days will receive a free meal with other prizes, gift cards and free food awarded throughout the two days. All guests during the two-day grand opening celebration will also receive free chips and salsa.

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