OC Restaurant Quest: Camelia’s Mexican Grill in Farmington Hills and Royal Oak

Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, MI – Camelia’s Mexican Grill is a restaurant with locations in Farmington Hills and Royal Oak and a history that is as thoughtful as the food itself.

A friend and I went to the festively-decorated location on 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak. They ordered a chimichanga, which is a flour tortilla stuffed with beef or chicken plus cheese, deep fried and topped with sour cream and guacamole.

I had steak tostadas which came in a platter of three topped with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and olives. both came with rice and refried beans. Other Tex-Mex favorites include house-made tamales, grande steal quesadillas, chalupas, enchiladas, burritos and more. There is also a section for Mexican seafood platters including tacos de pescado which is a soft flour tortilla shell stuffed with breaded tilapia fish fillet, shredded cabbage, and pico de gallo.

Camelia’s story is shared on the restaurant’s website.  Camelia was born to mother who emigrated from Mexico City and a father who had trained in Spain to be a bullfighter. She lost her father at a young age, but learned about him from others. “But I was told many stores of him growing up of how daring he was – like diving off the cliffs in Acapulco and not afraid of being in the rink fighting bulls. I can honestly say that I have never met anyone else who can say that their father was a bullfighter. So, for that, I am proud.”

When she was 13 her mother took over ownership of a Mexican restuarant in SW Detroit and Camelia was there to help. The restaurant was short-lived, but it inspired her to open her own business in 1998, starting out as Camelia’s Taco Loco. She moved from a small carryout location to a full-service restaurant, eventually adding a second location. She credits her mother with sharing recipes and inspiring her. “For without her, I would have not learned at a young age the authentic ways of homemade Mexican cooking. Her interest and passion will forever inspire me, even from Heaven. I will always lovingly remember all the times we spent in her kitchen talking and laughing. She would always have her apron on just waiting for one of us kids to come by so she could cook for us or for that matter cook for anyone and everyone that would visit her.”

Camelia’s is a tradition to be experienced.

For more information visit https://www.cameliasmexicangrill.net.

Oakland County Times is on a QUEST to enjoy every local restaurant in Oakland County.  This long-term project is a labor of love, supported by our friends at White Castle.  White Castle is a family-owned company that is proud to be one of only 20 large employers to make the Fortune Best Places to work list in 2022.  With steam-grilled sliders, crispy golden french fries, fantastic slides like onion chips or fried clams, and the best chocolate shakes, White Castle is a by far our top choice for a fast food meal.  Check out their website at www.WhiteCastle.com.

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