14 Mexican restaurants to try
Each week Neon spotlights a different cuisine in the Dining Guide, with Mexican restaurants this week. Restaurants are rated on a letter-grade scale, from A to F. Opinions by R-J critic Heidi Knapp Rinella (H.K.R.) are indicated by initials. Price symbols are based on the cost of an average entree: $ = entrees less than $10; $$ = entrees $10 to $20; $$$ = entrees $20 to $30; and $$$$ = entrees more than $30.
BAJA MIGUEL’S
South Point, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-797-8075
Signature dishes: Avocados Baja Miguel’s, Burrito El Patron.
CASA DON JUAN
1204 S. Main St.; 702-384-8070
Signature dishes: Mexican breakfast, carnitas.
COASTA CANTINA
Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive; 702-636-7111
Signature dishes: Steak Alambre, Tacos de Pescado.
DONA MARIA TAMALES
910 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-382-6538 (also at 3205 N. Tenaya Way)
Signature dishes: tamales, queso fundido.
EL BURRITO
8508 Del Webb Blvd.; 702-255-1069
Signature dishes: machaca, chicharrone burrito.
FRANK &FINA’S COCINA
4175 S. Grand Canyon Drive; 702-579-3017
Signature dishes: charbroiled dishes, chile relleno, nachos.
GARDUNO’S
Fiesta Rancho, 2400 N. Rancho Drive; 702-631-7000
Signature dishes: Sunday margarita brunch, handmade tamales.
GONZALEZ Y GONZALEZ
New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-740-6455
Signature dishes: fire-roasted fajitas, red chile shrimp tacos.
JAVIER’S
Aria’s, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-590-3637
Although we wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to dine at Javier’s, the restaurant does most things right, including a stretchy Queso Fundido with lots of flavor from pasilla peppers, mushrooms, chorizo and onions, plus seafood enchiladas, a classic, deeply flavored Mole Poblano, and a nice selection of interesting margaritas, including a tamarind version. (3/1/13 H.K.R.)
Overall: B+
$$$
LA COMIDA
100 Sixth St.; 702-463-9900
La Comida is yet another great addition to the array of dining choices in downtown Las Vegas (specifically Fremont East) for its fun, funky vibe and for food such as queso fundido, elotes asados (street corn), puerco ahumado (smoked pork shoulder) and the multitude of flavors and textures, such as butternut squash and roasted corn, of the Camaron del Golfo (Gulf shrimp). (10/18/13 H.K.R.)
Overall: A-
$$
LETICIA’S MEXICAN COCINA
7585 Norman Rockwell Lane; 702-445-7722
Signature dishes: Chile relleno, Mexican street corn.
LINDO MICHOACAN
Four locations in the valley; 702-735-6828
Signature dishes: carnitas, Banderillas de Toro.
MUNDO
495 S. Grand Central Parkway; 702-270-4400
Its see-and-be-seen popularity with the power-lunch crowd makes Mundo a bit of a tough (and noisy) ticket at midday, but go for dinner and it’s an island of serenity, complete with twinkling lights. The fish tacos were far removed from the norm (which is a good thing), and both they and the shrimp diablo had a great little kick. (12/26/13 H.K.R.)
Overall: A-
$$$
NACHO DADDY
9925 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson; 702-462-5000
As you might expect from the name, Nacho Daddy offers a long list of creative nachos. Although our Nacho Average Burger Nachos were a challenge to take apart, they were a pleasure to eat, with the beef and queso sauce layered throughout the pile of chips, crowned by lettuce, tomato, red onion and applewood-smoked bacon. We also liked the fish tacos and the chicken fajitas. (6/14/13)
Overall: B+
$$
