Balboa (Grandview)

September 06, 2018

Balboa (Grandview)

I’ve never been a huge fan of Mexican food. Yes, I do love a good taco on a Tuesday, but a few bad stereotypes come to mind when I think of Mexican food. Namely, theme-park-styled restaurants from the ‘80s (read: Chi-Chi’s) and the same seven ingredients in everything.

I’m happy to say that Balboa is a really refreshing take on Mexican. Here’s how they describe themselves:

"We are your go-to Grandview taqueria specializing in contemporary Mexican dishes and handcrafted cocktails.” The whole place has a very relaxed, Southern California vibe and not a stereotype in sight.

A quick blurb on the food: there are no combo platters here, and no refried beans. There is a sizable appetizer portion of the menu, but generally you can get your choice of ingredients in a taco, a bowl, a burrito, or a tostada. The rice is basmati and NOT seasoned (yeah!). One of my big issues with Mexican cuisine is that it’s so starch heavy and no real vegetable options, but the bowl that I order has zucchini, squash, portobellos, onions, and poblanos, so I leave happy every time.

Onto the decor…

Grandview Avenue is really the perfect location for this place. Walking up, you notice the huge patio. It’s the kind of place you want to stay for about four hours, especially on a warm summer evening:

The patio seating is nice too:

The door leading in are just about floor to ceiling, and they are usually open if the weather’s nice. They are framed by some beautiful iron work. This entrance blurs the line between outdoors and in:

The logo greets you at the hostess stand:

There are two dining area, the main room being only slightly larger than the other. Concrete floors anchor the minimal decor throughout. Your eye is immediately drawn to the bar. I’m a sucker for encaustic tile and Balboa has used it strategically. It’s really the only pattern used in the space except for some booth upholstery.

A few closeups of that gorgeous tile:

There are high-top and low-top seats available. First, the high-tops:

The booth seating upholstery is a nod to a Mexican serape.

Each table has minimal but functional decor, with the obligatory hipster succulent and the mason jar candle.

There is minimal artwork, but it works well for the space. Here are a few shots:

The lighting is nice too. The indoors is designed to be dark with very warm lighting, but the windows and doors facing the patio help somewhat.

I generally don’t photograph bathrooms but they are really fun here, so I’m including a few shots. It’s the most visual stimulus in the place. Outside of them (and hidden from the rest of the restaurant) is a fun waiting area: