Laredo's

This high-profile corner location was not a happy home to Mojito or Brix, restaurants that started out super-crowded but sputtered to ignominious conclusions. Laredo’s (Why not Amarillo’s or Tulsa’s?) is a production of the folks who run McCoy’s next door (as was Brix) and offers up a Tex-Mex menu with lots of signature alcoholic beverages. It’s way more interesting than Chili’s but probably not compelling enough to empty out Bar Abilene. The room has been nicely remodeled but isn’t designed to appeal to authenticity freaks as much as folks looking for a decent meal of southwestern fare in attractive yuppie environs. The menu is what you’d expect: fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, burgers, salads, guac, etc. Bacon-wrapped meat loaf stuffed with a chile relleno presents an interesting cross-cultural conundrum as does green chile mac and cheese, a nice idea if they actually put any chiles in. Nonetheless, it’s an attractive package, and if Laredo’s is home to tumbleweeds by fall, we’ll know the building is cursed.

4629 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-698-2749