535861 Sun Jul 06 06:46:41 -0700 2008 21 20 Tristate Region 0 3842093 Hi all, Just wondering what the general consensus was on the Mexican places in SS. So far I've only been to Cantina and wasn't all that impressed. The dish I had (spicy shrimp tacos) was okay, and I thought their serving sizes were rather paltry. What's the Chow scoop on Leon's and Mexican Connection? I'm not looking for authentic, just fresh, yummy (not greasy or heavy) and reasonably priced will do. Thanks! Ellie Sun Jul 06 06:46:42 -0700 2008 15462 EllieLA 1 3842193 Hello, Sadly, the tri-city area and Saratoga Springs seem to be a desolate area for Mexican Cuisine. At least, that is the opinion my friend who was raised on native mexican food has come too. Depending on how adventurous you are feeling, I've heard good things about Carmen's in Troy. Except, it is cuban food. One does what one can. Sun Jul 06 07:54:56 -0700 2008 3842093 94635 adventuresinbaking 1 3845542 Leon's and MC are basically bad Tex-Mex. Amigo's Cantina in Schuylerville is quite good, though. Mon Jul 07 11:43:46 -0700 2008 3842093 165047 gerchak 2 3846125 Thanks Gerchak. That's not too far away either. I'll go check it sometime soon. I also read/heard about a place in Ballston Spa. I think it's Sunset Cafe or something like that. Have you been there? Mon Jul 07 13:59:36 -0700 2008 3845542 15462 EllieLA 3 3847813 Morning Ellie, not being a fan of mexican, I can say I do not look for it. My friends who are talk about El Loco in Albany and I am not sure about the other spot but I think it is called Mexican Radio. When I used to work in the resto business there was always talk of a great place in Hudson Falls. I have heard good things about the schuylerville place as well.... Tue Jul 08 04:55:53 -0700 2008 3846125 133355 jspear 4 3851727 As a former Texan, I can say El Loco is neither traditional nor very good. Mexican Radio is in Hudson, no where near Saratoga , and has interesting and innovative food, as long as you're comfortable paying NYC prices for Mexican food (which seems oxymoronic to me.) Wed Jul 09 07:06:16 -0700 2008 3847813 158319 mjoyous 3 3847884 Sunset Cafe has some nice food but it's really "Southwestern" rather than Mexican. Tue Jul 08 05:40:47 -0700 2008 3846125 165047 gerchak 4 3850381 Here's the link to El Mexicano in Hudson Falls-very good place: http://elmexicanorestaurant.net/ Mexican Radio, also excellent, is in Hudson, south of Albany. Tue Jul 08 17:07:53 -0700 2008 3847884 46008 markabauman 1 3853716 I do not think Mexican Connection's food is bad. I have been a customer there for over 20 years and while slightly overpriced for Mexican, I enjoy going there. Their margaritas are good, complimentary chips and salsa, and generous portion sizes. They do a good year round business in Saratoga and have a loyal clientele, so while they may not be the best Mexican compared to other areas, they are obviously pleasing to some people. I would give them a try and see what you think. Wed Jul 09 14:28:54 -0700 2008 3842093 137285 yellowlablover 2 4982022 Wow, this topic hasn't been discussed since last year. Since then, El Mexicano has opened a second location in Saratoga Springs. I have been there several times and think it's fantastic. The food is fresh and flavorful and everything I've ordered has been amazing. The only drawback I think, is that they don't have their liquor license yet. It hasn't stopped me from going, but I know it's been an issue for some. Has anyone been here? Thoughts? Thu Aug 27 06:14:21 -0700 2009 3853716 15462 EllieLA 3 4982209 I thought it was mediocre and overpriced, but have only been once and will try it again. I thought the same of El Mariachi, confirmed by 2 more visits. I like the creativity of Cantina and I love Amigo's in Schuylerville, the best Mex around. Thu Aug 27 07:21:47 -0700 2009 4982022 186511 gerchak198 4 4984160 I'm certainly not an expert Gerchak198, but I did live in SoCal for many years and had great Mexican food there. This place measures up really well. I overheard a woman at another table who said she lived for many years in the Southwest, and the food at El Mexicano was excellent. If you do try it again, I hope you enjoy it. Pop back here and let us know. Thu Aug 27 17:02:47 -0700 2009 4982209 15462 EllieLA 5 4985240 Hitting it next week. Fri Aug 28 06:51:19 -0700 2009 4984160 186511 gerchak198 4 5157927 Just ate at Cantina last night. "Seared" tuna was blackened, the chicken in the tostada was so salty i couldn't really tell weather it was chicken or pork, the refried pinto beans--if they had any flavor at all--tasted like slightly burned mud, and the bluefin tacos needed an extra lime squeezed on them to get rid of that not-so-fresh smell. i tried their duck taquito a couple of weeks ago--now i think they must've fried that taquito in the same nasty oil as the bluefin. the upside, very friendly waitress, pretty good margaritas and the chips and salsa was delicious, at least compared to other really bad offerings. saratoga needs better food! Thu Nov 05 08:11:32 -0800 2009 4982209 323190 more garlic 1 4987745 News flash: A new mexican restaurant opened recently IN Saratoga Springs on southern Broadway called "Mexicana" - You can find it easily not by it's sign (I think it's WAY too small) but by the bright green wall. Hoping to go their after racing season's over. Give it a try! Fri Aug 28 21:37:03 -0700 2009 3842093 1105422 shihtzuattitude 2 4988078 It's El Mexicano, which was already discussed. Sat Aug 29 06:46:11 -0700 2009 4987745 186511 gerchak198 3 4997599 Just returned from a month in SS (working, sad to say). Ate at El Mariachi twice, first time was OK, so went back for more. Won't return. Really bad. leons and MC I gave up on years ago. Didn't try the new on on S. Bway. Off topic,but had a not so bad meal at the new Chinese place Shanghai Grill. Only had vegetarian dishes so can't vouch for the meat/seafood/fowl ones. YoYo Ma ate there wheen he performed with the PO so if he can, I figuered why not? Tue Sep 01 18:41:49 -0700 2009 4988078 90313 Stuartmc910 4 4999010 Hi Stuart, In regards to your off-topic, I read a few bad comments on local boards about Shanghai Grill, so I probably won't venture there. Their main location is supposed to be so good, so I don't get why the SS one isn't. Hope YoYo Ma fared better than others who ate there. If you come back to SS and try El Mexicano and let us know what you think. Wed Sep 02 09:37:42 -0700 2009 4997599 15462 EllieLA 5 4999264 I have had several good meals at Shanghai Grill, favorite being Peking Duck! Went to El Mexicano again, since everyone seemed so surprised that I thought it was mediocre. Same old mess swimming in cheese and wet beans. Tamales just plain bad. Maybe everyone is seduced by the mini-quesadilla amuse-bouche, and the free dessert chimichanga (neither one of which did I want). Expensive and empty as well. Wed Sep 02 10:46:01 -0700 2009 4999010 186511 gerchak198 1 5000356 You should try Leon's, it is owned by an old jockey and is great! Wed Sep 02 16:43:42 -0700 2009 3842093 281505 kailin 2 5001625 Leon's discussed repeatedly above. Read before posting. Leon's is not very good. Thu Sep 03 07:13:14 -0700 2009 5000356 186511 gerchak198 3 5187665 I tried Leon's this past weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Prices were very reasonable. chips and salsa were complimentary but quality was superb. The chips had clearly just been fried and the salsa was fresh and flavorful with just a hint of spice. The guacamole was also top notch. I had the Mexican style steak tacos with cilantro, sweet onions and pico de gallo. My date had the chicken flautas which I tried and they were out of this world dipped in sour cream and guacamole. Both dinners arrived piping hot with authentic Mexican rice and refried beans. Service was friendly, attentive and on point. Prices were very reasonable. Our entrees were 13 and 12 dollars and came with all the fixings. Margaritas were large, frothy and refreshing and only 3 dollars for happy hour. Leon came around and checked on us which was cool. All in all it's a special place I'm glad we found it. One thing I would've liked to have seen is XX amber on draft. Mon Nov 16 22:09:51 -0800 2009 5001625 1125155 morrisongreen