Mexican Restaurant

[SookeyJo]

Could any of you recommend a good Mexican Restaurant in The Villages or nearby? Thanks!

[jhrc4]

There " Allegedly " a really good one on 441N in Ocala on the left just before CR200, all others are a disaster. Especially around here all are wanna be. That is coming from a friend of mine who cooks the real McCoy!

[gomoho]

Well this is coming from the horse's mouth - the Mexican restaurant in Colony Plaza is pretty darn good including quality, service, price, etc. We are not in Mexico folks so you are eating what Americans believe to be Mexican - not the real deal.

[jnieman]

Well this is coming from the horse's mouth - the Mexican restaurant in Colony Plaza is pretty darn good including quality, service, price, etc. We are not in Mexico folks so you are eating what Americans believe to be Mexican - not the real deal.

I agree. Really good margaritas too!

[chuckster]

Jalisco, Fiesta Grande, El Ranchito....all very busy and good. Take your pick and remember this is not gourmet but good tasting, good service, friendly and great drinks. And....golf cart accessible

[shcisamax]

Well this is coming from the horse's mouth - the Mexican restaurant in Colony Plaza is pretty darn good including quality, service, price, etc. We are not in Mexico folks so you are eating what Americans believe to be Mexican - not the real deal.

I am sorry...I usually agree with everything Gomoho says but in this, I just have to disagree. When a mexican restaurant is using American cheese, that is the first clue they aren't cooking "mexican". I may have higher expectations having lived in Mexico for many years but I have to draw the line at American cheese.

[kbace6]

Well this is coming from the horse's mouth - the Mexican restaurant in Colony Plaza is pretty darn good including quality, service, price, etc. We are not in Mexico folks so you are eating what Americans believe to be Mexican - not the real deal.

I really enjoy their chilli rellenous.

[applesoffh]

We have found the mexican restaurant in the shopping plaza where the post office is in Wildwood to be quite good (on 301/Main Street).

[TNLAKEPANDA]

There " Allegedly " a really good one on 441N in Ocala on the left just before CR200, all others are a disaster. Especially around here all are wanna be. That is coming from a friend of mine who cooks the real McCoy!

Ok but I don't think that qualities as in or near!

[jhrc4]

Look, If you think you are eating the real deal Great, satisfied Great ! The question is Really good Mexican food , not imitation , not junk , the posting that I made previously was a genuine recommendation , Take it or Leave it, I really honestly do not care. Every so called Mexican Restaurant here in the Villages caters to the so called Villages pallet....CRAP!! Just like every place here without exception. LOUSY !!

[dolpterry]

El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant Belleview in the K Mart shopping center on 441 is very good and has a lunch buffet also

[LuckySevens]

I think the one in Colony is probably the best in TV and we do go there occasionally. Having said that, I am from Texas and am used to TEX-MEX. Nothing around here compares to that. Tex-mex has a lot more flavor, and I don't mean heat. As far as I am concerned, the only good mexican food is in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and a couple of other states. NOT Florida. I do miss good mexican food.

[golf2140]

We have found the mexican restaurant in the shopping plaza where the post office is in Wildwood to be quite good (on 301/Main Street).

It's closed

[bluedog103]

La Palma in Leesburg opened 9 days ago. We had dinner there this evening and found the food and service to be excellent. Not what you get in Mexico but we were very pleased with this restaurant. The place was packed and the kitchen was backed up a little but they kept us supplied with plenty of tortilla chips and salsa. Good 2fer margaritas too.
The restaurant is located on Rt. 441 south. It's where Ay Jalisco used to be.

[babbs455]

I love el Ranchito on the historical side... we have been going there for 15 years now...it's in front of the post office in the strip of stores

[Karenu]

La hacienda in Ocala on st rd 40 is excellent.

[collie1228]

Another vote for el Ranchito across the street from the post office on Lagrande Blvd. We enjoy the good food and prompt service. I believe this restaurant has the lowest prices of any of the restaurants that we frequent in The Villages.

[Cedwards38]

Well this is coming from the horse's mouth - the Mexican restaurant in Colony Plaza is pretty darn good including quality, service, price, etc. We are not in Mexico folks so you are eating what Americans believe to be Mexican - not the real deal.

I agree that the one in Colony Plaza is much better than I expected.:pepper2:

[justjim]

I love el Ranchito on the historical side... we have been going there for 15 years now...it's in front of the post office in the strip of stores

:beer3: I agree---we have been going there for the last eight years. Maybe we should call the food American Mexican---whatever---but IMHO all the restaurants in TV are not crap as one has posted. If I thought that was true, I would just have to always cook at home.

Do we have any 5 star restaurants in TV (whatever they are) probably not---but we certainly have some "good" eating establishment's in TV.

[mr and mrs bike]

We really liked the one on 301 by the post office. We were there once and almost didn't go in because they had forgotten to take their closed sign down. They also had limited hours durning the early week. So sorry to hear they closed.

[xkeowner]

Rubios Mexican Food Store, 2319 W Main St., Leesburg, FL 34748 has a small cafe inside with old tables and virtually zero ambiance. Limited menu and when we went we were the only customers who did not speak Spanish. We enjoyed the food, as did a neighbor who like us lived in Arizona for a good amount of time. Our assessment is that the food is probably too authentic for most villagers.

Otherwise we find el Ranchito acceptable and occasionally Fiesta Grande in Colony. The Mexican restaurants in Spanish Springs will not see us again.

[ChicagoKid]

In my humble opinion, Fiesta Grande in Colony Plaza is very good. Food selections, price and service will not disappoint you.

[applesoffh]

It's closed

That's really too bad. It was a family owned place that made everything to order, including wonderful salsa served with home-made tortilla chips. It was called Azteca. I would imagine that the 466A widening project didn't help, as did some Villagers reluctance to go into Wildwood, or someplace not golf cart accessible. Another mom & pop place gone.

[dillywho]

Look, If you think you are eating the real deal Great, satisfied Great ! The question is Really good Mexican food , not imitation , not junk , the posting that I made previously was a genuine recommendation , Take it or Leave it, I really honestly do not care. Every so called Mexican Restaurant here in the Villages caters to the so called Villages pallet....CRAP!! Just like every place here without exception. LOUSY !!

Like everything else in life, someone's trash is another's treasure. I might consider what someone else likes to be 'crap', as you put it, but it is their right to like or dislike just the same as yours. I, too, love Tex-Mex but did not care for the Mexican food in NM or AZ. Others were just the opposite. I'm don't like lobster, but many do. To each his own.

[perrjojo]

[QUOTE=jhrc4;833326]There " Allegedly " a really good one on 441N in Ocala on the left just before CR200, all others are a disaster. Especially around here all are wanna be. That is coming from a friend of mine who cooks the real McCoy! [/QUOTE

Yes, Latinos Y Mas is great! They have Mexican, Cuban and Spanish. The Margaritas are the best but it is a bit of a drive but well worth it. Take it from a Texan who knows Mexican food.

[Santa]

It's interesting how people assume that if they don't like something, nobody should. This whole thread started with a question about Mexican food. First, I night think since we're in the USA, most food here will more than likely have been adjusted to the area. I would also like to think that we would give positive statements instead of 'I hate, so you should too'. Just me, but sometimes a Christian attitude helps.

[BarryRX]

[QUOTE=jhrc4;833326]There " Allegedly " a really good one on 441N in Ocala on the left just before CR200, all others are a disaster. Especially around here all are wanna be. That is coming from a friend of mine who cooks the real McCoy! [/QUOTE

Yes, Latinos Y Mas is great! They have Mexican, Cuban and Spanish. The Margaritas are the best but it is a bit of a drive but well worth it. Take it from a Texan who knows Mexican food.

Another vote for Latinas Y Mas in Ocala. Great Paella (not as good as the Iron Bound section of Newark, but close).

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Rubios Mexican Food Store, 2319 W Main St., Leesburg, FL 34748 has a small cafe inside with old tables and virtually zero ambiance. Limited menu and when we went we were the only customers who did not speak Spanish. We enjoyed the food, as did a neighbor who like us lived in Arizona for a good amount of time. Our assessment is that the food is probably too authentic for most villagers.

Otherwise we find el Ranchito acceptable and occasionally Fiesta Grande in Colony. The Mexican restaurants in Spanish Springs will not see us again.

We are from AZ and it is hard to beat the Sonoran Mexican Food. Will check out Rubios

[zonerboy]

Actually there are many different varieties of "Mexican" cuisine, depending on which region of Mexico the cooks come from. In Southern California and Arizona it's Sonoran style with lots of refried beans. In New Mexico the food is very definitely spicier (hotter). Regions of Mexico close to the border with Texas gave rise to what we call Tex-Mex. Try to find a burrito or enchilada in Mexico City and you'll be disappointed. Or go to the southern Pacific area like Guadalajara and the food is again very different.
So as for the Villages, it's no surprise that what some think is great Mexican food, others think is terrible.

[Gulfhills]

There's a good Mexican Restaurant in downtown Eustis. Don't remember the name, but it's behind the Peddlar's Wagon.

[JB in TV]

We are from AZ and it is hard to beat the Sonoran Mexican Food. Will check out Rubios

We are sitting at a table at rubios in Leesburg right now, just finished the best Mexican foo d we have had in Florida. We are from Tucson, AZ and thank those who suggested this place. Very close to sonoran style. We will be back here.

[perrjojo]

Actually there are many different varieties of "Mexican" cuisine, depending on which region of Mexico the cooks come from. In Southern California and Arizona it's Sonoran style with lots of refried beans. In New Mexico the food is very definitely spicier (hotter). Regions of Mexico close to the border with Texas gave rise to what we call Tex-Mex. Try to find a burrito or enchilada in Mexico City and you'll be disappointed. Or go to the southern Pacific area like Guadalajara and the food is again very different.
So as for the Villages, it's no surprise that what some think is great Mexican food, others think is terrible.
:beer3::agree:
You are so correct. It's the same with BBQ, Italian, etc. We all generally prefer what we were raised on. There are good and bad restaurants but it mostly boils down to personal preference.

[HHMAN]

I think Azteca in Wildwood shopping Center is still open. Went by there yesterday and sign said Open and lights were on.