el trio mexican grill

there are several flavors of self-proclaimed "authentic" mexicanrestaurantsfloating around cincinnati, and if there existed a geiger counter measuring the accuracy of such labels, el trio mexican grill would likely fall squarely between fully americanized and "mucho authentico" extremes. el trio, located near mariemont on wooster pike, rests in a strip mall that has been for years the site of a number of struggling restaurants. but the little area seems to be making a comeback, now boasting three solid eateries, including mango tree thai and magic wok. superficially, el trio seems like any other tex-mex restaurant in town. you're greeted at the door with the obligatory "welcome, amigos," then escorted down a short flight of stairs to the main, recessed dining area of tables and booths. at about the moment the server places the complimentary chips and salsa in front of you is when you'll start to notice some key differences. in addition to the salsa, a c

nothing homeade about it. i went to el trio because i am always in search of good mexican food here, i have been to every one in cincinnati and nky. i admit i was hesitant because even though the reviews were good, i know enough about cincinnati to know that the people from the mariemont/terrace park area tend to stay in their area, and people don't usually travel there from other parts of the city forrestaurants(i was correct, based on the clientele when i went).
the service was pretty non existent (not that you go for mexican for the service), but the hostess and server pretty much asked questions as they were walking away and you're trying to flag them down. not rude, just like they didn't care.
it was filled with screaming kids (i have kids, i don't mind kids at all in restaurants, but i would never let mine carry on like they were at a ballgame).
chips were stale, salsa was typical jar picante, and a weird gravy which was probably a mix with water added. i ordered the spinach and shrimp chimichanga, the spinach was clearly a bag of frozen green giant squeezed into it, and 5 shrimp that were obviously frozen and microwaved. gross, even my husband look at it said isn't that frozen spinach? he ordered enchiladas, they had zero taste, were tiny, and the beans were from a can.
i would never go back and not suggest it to anyone either, i'm sure they do well because people who live in mariemont support it.
my recommendations for good mexican here are-
la mexicana in newport (freshest, small menu, most authentic around, small place, best salsa anywhere)
mazunte on red bank (gourmet oxacan, not typical, but very good and all homemade)
cazadores in mason ( authentic, very tasty, more basic mexican, large menu, but very very good, order the table side guac)
taqueria yolandita (a food truck off queen city, heavy, authentic and awesome, but you sit in your car and eat)
taqueria mercado downtown is pretty good if i can't get to my first choices
nada is good fancy mexican-ish, more of a bar scene

i definitely would not eat here, i worked inrestaurantsfor many years, this food is all frozen, prepackaged from a food purveyor and heated up.