Paulina’s Mexican Grill serves elegant and original meals in Victorville

Kathy Young
Updated ·4 min read

Every week Dining Around invites readers to submit their favorite restaurants to be profiled in a future column.

Suggestions range from well-known establishments to brand-new eateries. Some places specialize in a particular type of food, other times the menu offers “something for everyone.”

Recently, Dining Around reader Gailen Waggoner suggested one of his favorite places, Paulina’s Mexican Grill in Victorville. He eats there frequently and always on his birthday, July 8.

Waggoner knows for a fact that everyone who discovers Paulina’s is made to feel right at home.

Maria Vandenbroeke, owner of Paulina's Mexican Grill, has created a unique dining experience in Victorville.
Maria Vandenbroeke, owner of Paulina's Mexican Grill, has created a unique dining experience in Victorville.

‘Quality you can taste’

The secret behind Paulina’s is Maria Vandenbroeke. She and her family moved to the High Desert in the late 1980s.

In 2007, she and a friend from her village in Mexico discussed opening a Mexican restaurant that would break the stereotype of traditional Mexican fare.

Maria’s place would offer a different dining experience with new flavor profiles and original recipes not found anywhere else in the High Desert.

Paulina’s Mexican Grill ─ named after her daughter ─ opened Nov. 7 that year.

Find a need and fill it

The economy presented a bit of a challenge then, but Maria was determined.

She had definite ideas for every aspect of the restaurant, starting with the design, layout and décor. She knew the proper setting would be a comfortable backdrop for customers to enjoy the menu of original recipes from her mother’s kitchen.

Dining at Paulina’s would be a lovely experience.

The interior, beautifully constructed by Jose Michel, is reminiscent of an elegant outdoor patio.

Maria selected a muted warm color palette complemented by living plants, elegantly framed pictures, subtle background music and reader Waggoner’s favorite touch, tablecloths and cloth placemats.

Chicken and steak fajitas with Mexican rice and beans with soup.
Chicken and steak fajitas with Mexican rice and beans with soup.

Breaking tradition

Paulina’s menu is filled with imaginative dishes that offer choices of sides such as sautéed vegetables, poblano rice or Mexican rice.

Olive oil is used instead of lard, and many dishes deliver a subtle taste difference for a delightful dining experience.

Paulina’s menu caters to special dietary needs ─ check out the vegan quesadilla. Weekend specials like pork chops cooked in wine are very popular.

Creating original new traditions

Marie grew up in San Juan de Amula, Jalisco, Mexico, in a home with no electricity or running water.

Daily trips to the well and gathering firewood for the stove and oven were part of life. Meat and fish were plentiful ─ the fish caught in the river, pork and beef raised in the backyard.

Her mother made wonderful meals, and Maria learned secrets of preparing and processing various cuts of beef, chicken, and pork. The meals were tasty and nutritious, and everything was made from scratch by hand each day.

Maria said the challenge was to develop recipes that used every part of the animal. Cooking methods combined with different herbs and spices worked to create something delicious.

Still ready to learn

Maria still learns tricks from the produce company providing items for Paulina’s menus each day.

It is safe to say that everything she serves is flavorful and imaginative.

Every restaurant has signature dishes ─ two highlights are Maria’s chile rellenos and the salsa served with tortilla chips.

Maria’s touch makes that salsa so special that regular customers can tell if someone else made it. It’s delicious regardless of the expert in the kitchen, but the “touch” certainly speaks to Maria’s gift in the kitchen.

Chipotle mayo salmon with grilled mushrooms, served with sautéed vegetables, poblano rice and side salad.
Chipotle mayo salmon with grilled mushrooms, served with sautéed vegetables, poblano rice and side salad.

All the extras

Paulina’s serves red and white wine and domestic and imported beer. Soon Paulina’s will serve Margaritas cocktails and more.

Catering includes party trays ─ half and full sizes ─ as well as several types of enchiladas and hard tacos. A full catering menu is available on their website.

Lunch and dinner specialties

We suggest you spend some time reading the website with their story and the very comprehensive lunch and dinner menus with those original ingredients and the options.

Maria and her family, including everyone who works at Paulina’s Mexican Grill, consider themselves blessed and thankful for their wonderful customers.

You are invited to stop by soon for lunch or dinner and become part of the “family.”

When you go

  • Where: Paulina’s Mexican Grill, 14845 Monarch Blvd., G, Victorville. Dine-in, curbside pickup.

  • Information: (760) 955-2661, www.paulinasgrill.com. Follow on Facebook and Instagram. Catering menu online as well.

  • Hours: Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Monday.

Dining Around

If you would like your restaurant profiled in Dining Around or want to tell readers about your favorite eatery, please contact Kathy Young by text/voicemail at (760) 953-8682 or email kaynhuey@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Paulina’s Mexican Grill, elegant and original in Victorville