[pommysmommy]

Hubby and I were fooled by a sticker in the window of Diegos at the MGM Grand stating that they were voted best Mexican food in Las Vegas. That was the worst and most expensive Mexican food we have eaten. To say the food was revolting would be a complement.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by pommysmommy

Hubby and I were fooled by a sticker in the window of Diegos at the MGM Grand stating that they were voted best Mexican food in Las Vegas. That was the worst and most expensive Mexican food we have eaten. To say the food was revolting would be a complement.

I would not expect to find good Mexican food in a hotel. They have to cook for the masses, not repeat customers. Besides I think hotel food has gotten very expensive, and most of it tastes like plastic.

[Buzz123]

There are a lot of authentic Mexican restaurants here now that our Hispanic population is over 26%. But they aren't the chains, they are the small local joints that look like you wouldn't want to eat there. But they are usually the best.

There are also a couple of restaurants that are the probably the first and second oldest in town. El Sombrero on Main St, and El Burrito on Del Webb Parkway and Rampart. Haven't been to El Sombrero for a long time, but it was always good. El Burrito has always been one of our favorites too.

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

I would not expect to find good Mexican food in a hotel. They have to cook for the masses, not repeat customers. Besides I think hotel food has gotten very expensive, and most of it tastes like plastic.

I did like Dos Caminos. However I suspect most tourist, particularly the plain eating folks from the midwest, would believe they are getting ripped off by a fancy schmancy overpriced El Toritos. A mistaken belief, but to each their own.

Originally Posted by Buzz123

I'm glad you said that about chain restaurant tacos not being real Mexican food. Many people think Taco Bell is Mexican, and when I lived in Laredo, TX, home of the best Mexican food on the planet, people would ask me if we had a lot of Taco Bells. I told them Taco Bell would be laughed out of town. Possibly they are there now, but I'd be kind of surprised if they could make it there.

When it comes to Mexican food, most Americans, IMO, haven't got a clue. They associate the mild, pasty, Americanized stuff with the real thing. Might as well consider Hormel canned tamales real Mexican food.

There are many regional foods in Mexico, mostly dependent on available ingredients just like anywhere else in the world. So if someone is used to the mild stuff, they might not appreciate the hot stuff, or vice versa. Or they might not appreciate cabrito that has been cooked spread eagled on a spit, over an outdoor mesquite fire, like you find in northern Mexico and on the border on our side. Instead they might prefer a taco from Roberto's over the really good stuff.

Frank and Fina's is authentic. So is Lindo Michoacán. Macayo's, IMO, is not because most chains are not authentic. But if it's what flips your switch then go for it. Ricardo's is surprisingly good for a chain, but given a choice I'd take Lindo Michoacán or Frank and Fina's every time. I know Garduño's calls themselves a Mexican restaurant, and I wouldn't argue with that, but they are really NEW Mexican restaurant. New Mexican food is, again IMO, even better than Mexican food. But it is different; mostly a combination of Castilian Spanish, Pueblo Indian, Mexican, and American. It's mostly based on local ingredients, with a touch of really good gourmet chef ideas thrown in. I love the original Garduño's in Albuquerque by the way. I like the ones here, but I suspect they have toned it down for the Las Vegas tourist, and I think it loses something in taste here.

This is very largely true. Basically when someone asks about Mexican food, you really do have to get them to quantify what they are actually looking for. My gf claims to LOVE mexican food...yet her favorite place is a small chain in So Cal that is mediocre and all she ever orders is cheese enchiladas

To her credit, she did rave over the tacos we got one night at the Tacos Mexico downt the street. At age 34, LA born and raised, its the first time she ever had authentic tacos

[lynnsey7106]

We actually went to El Sombrero, but my husband kept on driving because of how it looked on the outside!

Originally Posted by Buzz123

There are a lot of authentic Mexican restaurants here now that our Hispanic population is over 26%. But they aren't the chains, they are the small local joints that look like you wouldn't want to eat there. But they are usually the best.

There are also a couple of restaurants that are the probably the first and second oldest in town. El Sombrero on Main St, and El Burrito on Del Webb Parkway and Rampart. Haven't been to El Sombrero for a long time, but it was always good. El Burrito has always been one of our favorites too.

[las vegas drunk]

It is way far away, but I really enjoyed eating at Agave. I had the fajitas and they were excellent. I only ate their once and wish they were closer to me.

Las Vegas Mexican Restaurant - Agave

[happyhunting]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

It is way far away, but I really enjoyed eating at Agave. I had the fajitas and they were excellent. I only ate their once and wish they were closer to me.

Las Vegas Mexican Restaurant - Agave

Yes, Agave is very good, great building with nice outdoor eating space, upscale, 3 kinds of salsa....I like their carnitas taquitos and they have a salad with goat cheese, pears and chicken, sounds very weird but tastes amazing.

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by lynnsey7106

We actually went to El Sombrero, but my husband kept on driving because of how it looked on the outside!

tell him to turn aroun d n go back......best in town

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

It is way far away, but I really enjoyed eating at Agave. I had the fajitas and they were excellent. I only ate their once and wish they were closer to me.

Las Vegas Mexican Restaurant - Agave

Originally Posted by happyhunting

Yes, Agave is very good, great building with nice outdoor eating space, upscale, 3 kinds of salsa....I like their carnitas taquitos and they have a salad with goat cheese, pears and chicken, sounds very weird but tastes amazing.

I'm in that area all the time; I'll have to give them a try. So far, my go-to Mexican retaurant has been Frank & Fina's.

[swagger]

Casa Don Juan

Best Mexican food I've had since I moved here (4+ years ago).