A Big-Plate Mexican-American Meal at Paradiso in Fargo

A basket of chips and a bowl of fresh house salsa set the tone at Paradiso in Fargo: settle in, take a look at a notably broad menu, and do not be surprised if dinner turns into tomorrow’s lunch, too. This is a long-running local restaurant built for a proper sit-down meal, with substantial plates, colorful surroundings and enough seating choices to suit a quick lunch, a family table or a larger gathering.

Paradiso’s food is Mexican-American in style, with familiar favorites presented in generous fashion. The menu gives diners plenty of directions to go, from a crisp tostada salad to a burrito, a sizzling fajita platter, flautas, carne asada, enchiladas, chimichangas or chile relleno.

Complimentary chips and salsa arrive while the menu is still being considered, which is helpful here because there is a lot to consider. The chips have a firm crunch, and the house salsa brings a fresh, flavorful counterpoint.

A side of guacamole makes an easy addition if the table wants something extra to work through before the entrées arrive. Diners who prefer more heat can ask for hot salsa rather than relying only on the standard bowl.

The Paradiso chimi is among the dishes that comes up often, but it is far from the only sizeable choice. Burritos, chimichangas and fajitas fit the bill when you are after a full, filling main course, while the flautas platter and carne asada offer a change of pace from the usual taco-and-burrito routine.

Enchiladas have their own corner of the menu, including an enchilada trio substantial enough to stretch into another meal. The enchilada-and-chile-relleno combination is another appealing route for a diner who would rather sample two classics on one plate.

For a more casual handheld order, the Soft Shell Taco Grande is a menu option worth noticing. Tostada salads give the meal a crunchy, fork-and-knife format, and lunch can be a useful time to order smaller portions of the same general lineup.

Large portions are a steady feature of the Paradiso experience. Plates arrive hot and promptly, and a meal that looks manageable at the beginning can leave plenty behind by the end.

That makes the restaurant especially easy for diners who enjoy taking leftovers home. It also gives a mixed group some freedom: one person can order a full entrée, another can choose a lunch-size plate, and the table can still begin with chips and salsa without spoiling dinner.

Margaritas are a natural companion to the food, and Paradiso also offers beer and other drinks from its bar. A nonalcoholic margarita is available for anyone who wants the familiar lime-forward ritual without alcohol.

There is room for a simple non-bar order, too. Strawberry lemonade has been prepared on request, a small service touch that suits the restaurant’s accommodating, easygoing manner.

Paradiso is a large restaurant with several dining areas rather than one undifferentiated room. Traditional Mexican-themed accents decorate the windows and walls, adding color without taking attention away from the table.

Booths are available for a more enclosed meal, while other indoor tables suit larger parties. Some seats have a view of a water fountain feature, one of those little room details that gives a long lunch something pleasant to rest the eyes on between courses.

The bar sits beside the lobby and provides another spot to eat, particularly handy for a more casual meal or a drink with food. Counter seating adds one more option, and the seasonal patio takes the gathering outdoors when the weather cooperates.

The scale of the restaurant works well for different kinds of occasions. A family can spread out in a booth, a group can settle into one of the larger dining areas, and a birthday meal does not have to feel like a complicated production.

Paradiso has been a familiar Fargo dining stop for more than three decades, and it has the practiced rhythm that regular neighborhood restaurants often develop: chips on the table, a large menu in hand, friendly service and hot food arriving without an extended wait.

A kids-eat-free Sunday promotion has been offered, though current details can change. Happy-hour specials have also been associated with the bar area, another reason the bar can be more than a place to wait for a table.

A free parking lot keeps arrival straightforward, with ample parking commonly available. The restaurant’s multiple seating zones help it handle a range of party sizes, and diners have often been seated without much of a wait, including on some busy weekends.

Availability naturally varies by day and hour, and the patio is a fair-weather option. Inside, though, there are enough booths, tables, bar seats and counter seats to make Paradiso feel prepared for both an everyday dinner and a tableful of people passing around chips.