Las Vegas: Top 7 Mexican restaurants for Cinco de Mayo
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I’m listing my favorite Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas. But before I do, here are two caveats: First, I haven’t been to all of Vegas’ Mexican eateries. Second, I left establishments like Cozymel’s off the list because it was a typical chain, Diego’s at MGM because it was too loud for me, and the much-loved Lindo Michoacan because it didn’t impress me as much as the following places:
Agave: This is a fun and festive restaurant with bright colors, high ceilings, indoor and outdoor patio fireside seating and possibly one of the best guacamole dishes you’ve ever tasted. It’s well off the Strip, close to Red Rock and worth the trip. Agave is having specials for Cinco de Mayo weekend, including a $35 Blue Agave Tequila Tasting event on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Summerlin, 10820 Charleston Blvd.; (702) 214-3500
Pink Taco: For the hippest, noisiest Mexican food in Las Vegas, the Pink Taco is the place to be. The chicken tostada salad is not to be missed — nor are the hard bodies that invade this trendy eatery every Sunday during the Hard Rock’s Rehab pool party. The drinks are strong, the food offerings solid, and the chips and salsa above average.
Location: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 4455 Paradise Road; (702) 693-5525
Garduno’s: Located on the casino level of Palms, Garduno’s is great casual dining and has outdoor patio seating with a good view of the pool. Go on Ditch Fridays to check out the bikini party scene.
Location: Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road; (702) 942-7777
Diablo’s Cantina: This is a good pit stop for bachelor parties, with a whole lot of sports, drinks and good nachos. On Cinco de Mayo, Diablo’s will celebrate by giving away three-day cruises to Mexico and Cabo San Lucas.
Location: Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; (702) 693-8300
Viva Mercado’s: This little off-Strip hole in the wall was so successful that its owner built a bigger restaurant and moved the business last year. The charm is gone, but the food is still good and continues to draw locals. Mercado’s is particularly well known for its various styles of carne asada.
Location: 3553 S. Rainbow Blvd.; (702) 871-8826
El Jefe’s: This establishment boasts that all of its food is made from scratch, and it’s no surprise. El Jefe’s has attitude—its fresh Mexican cuisine feels more gourmet than that of your typical Mexican restaurant.
Location: 9925 S. Eastern Ave.; (702) 453-5333
Isla Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar: Treasure Island lists Isla in its Upscale dining section, but you don’t have to dress up. The restaurant calls its food traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern twist, and that about nails it. I like getting drinks and apps in the tequila bar, but the sit-down side of the restaurant is good, too. Service is friendly. Isla’s will host a Cindo de Mayo party with a live mariachi band starting at 4 p.m.
Location: Treasure Island, 3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; (866) 286-6809
— Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel Deal Blogger
[Photo: lightgroup.com]
9 Comments on “Las Vegas: Top 7 Mexican restaurants for Cinco de Mayo”
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April 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
As expected the high profile, big money backed restaurants dominate this list without the reviewer ever stepping foot inside an authentic restaurant that serves Mexican dishes.
If the want the real deal, stick to the LOCALLY owned places: Lindo Michoacan, even the several take-out/drive-thru Roberto’s will prove the food served at Pink Taco is nothing but over priced Del Taco garbage.
Can the LA Times get a real reviewer?
April 28th, 2008 at 7:32 am
How about La Madonna? It is way off the Strip, but the food is some of the best in Las Vegas.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Going to Summerlin, Henderson(Green Valley/Anthem re:El Jefe) and the world famous “Strip” for “good” Mexican Restaurants would be much like a trip to Bel Air, Burbank, Hollywood or the San Fernando Valley and not going to East LA. Garduno’s is popular with locals for many reasons, one being it is an Albuquerque based company that serves “New Mexican” style Mexican food. Many neighborhood restaurants in the greater Las Vegas Valley are doing just fine. Next trip to Las Vegas try a few out.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
How can you leave Lindo Michoacan out? It is the BEST, hands down. And, do you know what Pink Taco means in Mexican slang? I didn’t think so. And El Jefe’s is terrible.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Great to see all the strong, local opinions here.
I agree that, unless you’re on an expense account or are going to splash out a top-drawer meal at somewhere like the Border Grill at Mandalay Bay, it’s best to range away from the Strip is search of authentic, locally-owned Mexican eateries.
I think Jen’s intention here was to mention several places that a casual Vegas visitor is most likely to encounter, since, let’s face it, not enough visitors discover what Vegas has to offer beyond the Strip, especially first-timers.
A few of my Mexican favorite include El Sombrero Cafe (great juke box, decent wine margaritas, big portions, friendly family-run service); Dona Maria Tamales (stick to the tamales) and yes, the 24/7 drive-thru simplicity and expediency of both Roberto’s and Tacos de Mexico.
Where else have we missed? Where’s a better place for late-night Mexican near UNLV than Pink Taco?
April 28th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Funny Don, your mention Albuquerque reminds me for some reason of the old Pace picante sauce commercials, where the guys from San Antonio, Tejas rib the pikers from New Jersey for trying to pass off their East Coast sauce as the real deal. Now that Mexican food in its many guises has gone mainstream in the US (more tortilla sold than white bread, etc), “Pace picante” sounds like a bit of an oxymoron, no?
Re East L.A. epitomizing authentic Mexican flavors in the Southland, I would suggest that some of the Oaxacans, Yucatecans, Poblanos, Sonorans and many others among the diverse group of restauranteurs — like the myriad tamale vendors from all over Latin America around MacArthur Park — might beg to differ.
We’re blessed with more than a lifetime of Mexican eateries to explore here in L.A. Here’s a shortlist that includes a few classic places in East L.A. proper:
http://theguide.latimes.com/profiles/193/lists/152655
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
You are right on the money with Isla at TI. It’s absolutely one of the best Mexican restaurants in terms of quality food, service and presentation. It’s also one of the best values when you consider the normal restaurant prices on the Strip.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:46 am
Dos Caminos can not be missed on that day. Not only is it a restaurant, but its a lounge as well. I love the food there and the decor is fantastic. A must see on the 5th, inside the Palazzo.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:24 am
A new site devoted to Tequila education has developed a Take-home Tequila Tasting kit http://www.TequilaRack.com