Mexican Restaurant [Archive] - Talk of The Villages Florida

vitacr

09-02-2007, 07:53 PM

We've tried them all - The best one in the area is in Ocala - El Taxco - take Baseline Rd (Rt 35) to Rt 40. Go West (left) pass Walmart on left - turn into 6-Gun Plaza on the right. You won't regret it. Perfect salsa and warm chips will start your meal. Their delicious rice has chunks of potatoe, celery, carrot, etc in it. They prices are very reasonable and they also have a buffet. Good luck.

F16 1UB

09-02-2007, 10:25 PM

JUREK

09-03-2007, 12:27 AM

drove by it many times, next time I'll have to stop there :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

gobarb26

09-03-2007, 10:55 PM

If you don't mind driving a bit, there is a great Mexican restaurant in Mt. Dora. I forget the name, but it is right downtown. Best I have found in the area. Also, there is one in Clermont in the Citrus Tower. It is called El Santiago and it is pretty good also. Mexican food, as in all types of cuisine, is subjective. These places are my favorites, but someone else might not agree with me. I have also heard there is a good one in Belleview. Haven't been yet, but I will be the judge when I do go there... ;D :hot:

Mainer

10-24-2007, 10:14 PM

Gobarb -
The place you're thinking of in Mt. Dora is "Fiesta Grande"... one block east of the
main street in downtown area. It's very popular, but I've only had a light business lunch there myself. Seems like it's pretty authentic, but I'd describe it as "tourist Mexicano", not "authentic Mexican".
The one in the Citrus Tower, Clermont, is "Santiago's". Very good also.... but where they really excel is with the entertainment on Friday or Saturday (live Mariachi band; margarita and drink specials, and stuff like that). Otherwise... lunch or dinner, they run a lot of specials, if you have access to Clipper Magazine.
I DO think it's kind of interesting to reallize that other than fast-food or "chain" restaurants, there's only El Ranchito in Lady Lake....OR, "El Santiago Club", on Santiago Drive.... which SOUNDS good, from what I've heard, but haven't been there.... when it comes to IN the VIllages dining.
John H.

villages07

10-25-2007, 05:02 PM

Mainer...take El Santiago off your list of Mexican restaurants...it's actually a Key West theme with lots of seafood....no tacos or enchiladas.

jadebox

10-25-2007, 06:17 PM

I like El Ranchito and no need to get out on the highways. Heard tonight that Carrabas has a really good happy hour:)

ErnieH

10-25-2007, 06:41 PM

My wife and I find El restaurant to be one of the worst Mexican restaurants we have dined in but really like the Mexican Restaurant "Fiesta Grande" in Mt Dora.

chuckster

10-25-2007, 08:23 PM

jtdraig

10-27-2007, 03:12 PM

The Chuckster makes a very good point. Authentic Mexican food is quite different than the Tex-Mex restaurants that proliferate on this side of the border. We lived in Tucson, Arizona for about 8 years and became afficiandos of both styles of cooking. I haven't found a good texmex restaurant in this area although I will try the one recommended in Ocala. I am very fussy about both kinds of food so am looking forward to trying it out.

jjdees

10-27-2007, 08:30 PM

I had an assignment at Pac Bell in Fairfield CA some years back. I had an apartment there and frequented the local and nearby restaurants like those in Napa. There was a Mexican restaurant in Fairfield that I never tried until my last day there when I went to lunch with the client. It was totally different from the chains and the other Mexican restaurants I've tried in the states. It was excellent and I truly regretted not trying it earlier. It's just like the Chinese restaurants. Go with someone who knows the real food they eat and you'll be in for an adventure. I don't mean monkey brains, just good food.

Pete

10-28-2007, 12:23 AM

after living in California for ten years i grew to like the food on both sides of the border, authentic ,and tex mex.

I tried the Mexican resturant in Belleview ( In the Winn Dixie plaza)==I wasn't impressed.

Habanaro,s on so. 441 in Leesburg is pretty good. (just passed theLake Square mall) on the left hand side.

Haystacks buffet in front of the mall is better than Golden Corrall. Not mexican but just for info.

Try the roach coach that goes to Miona Park between 11:30 and noon. Two good looking girls and good food. YES it's safe to eat!

Duffer

11-27-2007, 03:08 PM

Try Cancun in Belleview. Its in 441 just north of the 484 intersection on the left side of the road(if you are going norht). Its not much to look at but the food is good and the prices are reasonable. It is family owned and if english is your native tongue, you may be the only one there. We've gone there several times for lunch and the food was great, the staff was very friendly and the price was right. :joke:

ABC

12-26-2007, 12:20 AM

I hear there is going to be a New Mexican restaurnat "Amigo's" on Town Square in the space vacated by the Copperpot opposite the Realto theatre, lets hope it is good!

Duffer

12-26-2007, 09:54 PM

Went to "Latinos e Mas" in Ocala today for the first time. The food was very good considering the average local quality of Mexican food and the prices were not bad at all. They have daily lunch specials plus a regular menu. The place is managed by the same folks that run Ipanema (directly across the street) and Sky Asian Fusion in the Holiday Inn (fantastic) if that means anything. The staff was friendly and courtious and I definately am looking forward for my return trip.

Tweety Bird

09-21-2010, 11:04 AM

My wife and I find El restaurant to be one of the worst Mexican restaurants we have dined in but really like the Mexican Restaurant "Fiesta Grande" in Mt Dora.

One of "the worst"? Never heard of it. YOu don't mean El Ranchito do you? I love that place. So, "the worst" needs a bit of explanation, don't ya think?

elevatorman

09-21-2010, 11:56 AM

Fiesta Grande now open in Colony Plaza. They did not have a liquor license yesterday but said it should come through this week.

downeaster

09-21-2010, 01:44 PM

Went to El Ranchito last night and had a good "tex-mex" dinner. The same family (cousins) operates "Fiesta Grande" in Mt. Dora. Thought you'd like to know. Both good spots. Having eaten in many true mexican joints over the years what do you really know about "true mexican food"??? As gringos we don't really know "true mex food". Just thought I would throw that out for replies.

Good point, chuckster. I like "Mexican" food. I have eaten in Mexican restaurants from coast to coast, in Mexico, and even Texas. I couldn't begin to describe an authentic Mexican restaurant. The one in Spanish Springs has a menu combo I like very much so, when I have an urge for Mexican, that's my destination.

BTW, the best one I have found is in the Old Town section of San Diego. But, that was a long time ago and if it is still there I probably couldn't find it.

pooh

09-21-2010, 02:36 PM

Good point, chuckster. I like "Mexican" food. I have eaten in Mexican restaurants from coast to coast, in Mexico, and even Texas. I couldn't begin to describe an authentic Mexican restaurant. The one in Spanish Springs has a menu combo I like very much so, when I have an urge for Mexican, that's my destination.

BTW, the best one I have found is in the Old Town section of San Diego. But, that was a long time ago and if it is still there I probably couldn't find it.

It might be the one we ate at, eons ago. The food was delicious. Used to eat at one in Escondido, CA...Cocina del Charro. Food was all homemade and wonderful! I do miss good Mexican food, but will try the new place in Colony Cottage soon.

uujudy

09-21-2010, 07:16 PM

Has anyone been to the new Mexican restaurant at colony cottage? Can you give us a report? We planned to go there tonight, but we were sidetracked by the fajita special at Mallory. :p

petenj

09-21-2010, 08:30 PM

We had lunch there today. I give it a 'Thumbs Up'. I am definitely going to make it a regular.

cathyp

10-10-2010, 04:55 AM

We found a great little place last night in the Kmart shopping mall on 441 in Belleview. Everything fresh and homemade and delicious. Also has bar and a $5.95 lunch buffet we'll have to try. It's on the south end of the strip mall-El Rodeo.

texasfal

10-11-2010, 11:25 AM

Cathyp, I agree with you re the Mexican place in the Kmart center. I like El Taxco but they put too many onions in everything. Also El Ranchito is terrible. They put sour cream on everything and the meat on the fajitas is cut up really really small so you don't notice that it's actually less than 1/2 lb of meat.

nONIE

10-11-2010, 03:18 PM

Hey Judy,

We were there for dinner the other night and thought it was really good!

Funny tho how everyones opinion differs. I guess you just have to try it for yourself to make that decision.

texasfal

10-13-2010, 10:43 AM

Hey Nonie,

Being from Texas I guess I have a different perspective on Mexican food. I think my mother ate too many tamales when I was in the womb. Try the place in the Kmart plaza in Belleview. It's terrific, they'll make the food to order, and they have a very inexpensive lunch buffet. Enjoy!

Mikeod

10-13-2010, 12:21 PM

Just as there are definite differences in cuisine between areas of the U.S., there are differences between areas of Mexico with regards to the food. I found the food different at restaurants in SoCal and Baja than that in Texas and New Mexico. I think that leads some to enjoy a particular restaurant here and others think it is not so good.

jtdraig

10-16-2010, 09:01 AM

Tried the Mexican restaurant in Colony Plaze yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Both my wife and I had combination plates that were very good. The service was prompt, polite, and professional. I usually don't post reviews of restaurants until I have tried them a few times...but this one is promising.

By the way, one of my favorite Tex-Mex places was in Coronado, CA at the end of Orange Blvd..The Mexican Village. We still go back there when we are in the area.

sunday

10-20-2010, 01:28 PM

Also El Ranchito is terrible.... They put sour cream on everything and the meat on the fajitas is cut up really really small so you don't notice that it's actually less than 1/2 lb of meat.

Have you tried the El Ranchito in Leesburg? We think it's pretty good... Never been to the one up north.

chuckster

10-20-2010, 03:40 PM

Actually the one off 441 in the villages (same family as leesburg) is also quite nice. Once again it depends on ones personal experiences. jmho

sunday

10-20-2010, 04:12 PM

You got me...We are going tonight!!

sunday

10-21-2010, 06:00 PM

El Ranchito son los mejores restaurantes mexicanos de la ciudad!:D

chuckster

10-22-2010, 07:21 AM

uno mas cervesa..........salut!!:beer3:

iandwk

10-22-2010, 06:05 PM

Tried the Mexican restaurant in Colony Plaze yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Both my wife and I had combination plates that were very good. The service was prompt, polite, and professional. I usually don't post reviews of restaurants until I have tried them a few times...but this one is promising.
Ditto on this one. The wife and I just got back from there. Great service, excellent food, and enough in a to-go box for lunch tomorrow. Good prices, too.
Grand opening the 25th.

xkeowner

10-23-2010, 09:12 PM

We have lived in both AZ and Southern CA, plus travelled in NM and TX. Great Mexican food in all locations on both sides of the border including Old Town in San Diego.

The three Mexican restaurants in the villages are all we have tried in this area since moving here in July but we will continue our search for a decent one. Tried Fiesta Grande in Colony Plaza this week. Sad to say it is the best available in The Villages.

I never thought I would look forward to returning to our last area in SE Virgina for the Mexican Food there.