I've never had a bad meal at El Charro. The service is quick and friendly! I wish the guac portions…read morewere bigger.

Friendly staff. Good value. House Margaritas for happy hour were perfect. Wait staff engaging…read more Worked well together. We will be back

Stayed at the Towneplace Suites across the street and had dinner here two nights. The hospitality…read morewas incredible, the margaritas are STRONG and well worth the price. Table side guac was amazing both nights. Bar tenders and charming, fun and simply the best. If i lived here i would be a local bar fly. Come to this place. Tip them well. They work hard and its very obvious if youve ever worked in a restaurant in your life. 10 out of ten i hope i get to come back

I erroneously thought Don Juan's Mexican Grill & Cantina was part of a chain. It's an easy enough…read moremistake to make with similarly named Mexican restaurants throughout the States. And seeing how extensively the former Denny's Restaurant was remodeled you definitely get that large corporate feeling. This is not your Mom & Pop's home-town restaurant effort. But that corporate feeling begins to fade somewhat while you are dining. The staff are friendly, helpful, and appear to be enjoying themselves as evidenced by some of them singing along to the authentic Mexican background music. The menu is huge! Would you believe 20 pages of drinks and food? Fortunately, there are photos for almost every dish, so you have no problem wondering what it is that you are ordering. Besides, most of the offerings are Tex-Mex dishes which Americans are quite familiar with by now, e.g., tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, and chimichangas. One thing that I found puzzling was that tamales were only available in each of the three Combo dishes. You apparently cannot order tamales singularly. Upon being seated, we were promptly served complimentary chips along with a red salsa and a refried bean dip with cheese, pepper, and tomato. The salsa had no spicing at all. We each ordered a large (24 oz.) draft Modelo Especial ($10 each). My initial test of a Mexican restaurant is to try a dish with their Mole and compare it with memories of the home cooked meal I was served by a close Mexican friend more than 30 years ago. However, I had wanted to also try something more than the Pollo Mole at Don Juan's. I zeroed in on Tampiqueña ($27); a marinated grilled steak and a mole enchilada coated in their house made Tia Maria Mole sauce. The dish was also served with refried beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, green onions, and guacamole in place of sliced avocado. The steak was pounded very thin so that the likely tougher cut that was used was not overly chewy. The flavors however, with the grilling and marinade were quite tasty. The enchilada was filled with tender chicken, and the mole coating on the flour tortilla was more sweet than savory as opposed to what I would have expected from a more traditional chicken and mole combination. I guess it was the Tia Maria. Once again, I did not notice any spiciness . I was also provided with a container of four fresh, warm, flour tortillas. While I'm not a fan of flour tortillas these were the best flour tortillas I've ever encountered. My wife ordered the Tacos Al Pastor ($21), choosing steak over pork or chicken, topped with pico de gallo and fresh cabbage in corn tortillas. The three tacos were also served with rice, lettuce, and tomato. The red salsa served on the side had no spiciness. However, a second container of salsa more brownish in color had plenty of spiciness. She was very pleased with her meal. One additional item on the dessert list called out to me from the moment I saw it on the menu. Sopapillas ($9), as served here, they are triangular shaped pastry dusted with cinnamon sugar, whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. They were tasty and enjoyable but nothing like what I first encountered in a Mexican restaurant more than 55 years ago in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There they were a basket of fried dough morsels served to us before our meal, with honey to be poured on them. YUM! Overall, we were pleased with our Tex-Mex experience and are very likely to return to try some additional menu items. If you want spicy, be sure to request the appropriate salsa.

Nicely styled cantina with tavern vibes with great tacos and other Mexican food options. Would like…read moreto try their drinks sometime soon as well. Service was great, despite there being only 1 server when I was in. Food was great. Had the carne asade fries to start, it's served on crispy waffle fries and the carne asade was super tender. I was about to go for some Birria tacos but decided to try something a little different and ordered the chopped cheese burrito. Delicious. Looking forward to coming back for more!

Never did I think that I would have to write a post like this, but I also never thought I would…read moreencounter a restaurant that provided both horrible food and drinks. Although the scenery and overall aesthetic make the place look like an inviting attraction, once inside, the concept feels more like a Venus flytrap. (If it were possible to give a half-star or no-star review for the quality of the food and drinks I was served, that would be my rating instead of the 1-star review I gave.) While eating, I found myself constantly wondering how other people there were enjoying the food. The demographics seemed to represent a specific group, yet it was difficult to understand how such a similar experience could be perceived so differently. Even though, the food and drinks were terrible, I can say that the service was not. That is the only positive aspect I can point out. We were seated quickly, and our waitress was attentive and responsive, even during busy moments. This made me wonder if they receive overflow customers from nearby restaurants with holding. As this was the following position that me and person that I went with were positioned in. Below are the items we ordered, along with detailed feedback on their overall taste: ------------------------------------------------- Items Ordered: - 2 orders | Birria Tacos ($$37.90) comment: I never thought it was possible to receive birria tacos where both the meat and the sauce were completely tasteless. No matter how much I tried to use the sauce and other condiments provided, nothing improved the flavor. While eating, I kept thinking that even Taco Bell would have made more decent tacos. - 2 order | (Custom Order) Strawberry Mojito ($28.00) comment: Might as well have ordered straight liquor, as the mixed drinks just tasted exactly like that with some sort of sweet syrup that did nothing to appease the overall taste. - 1 order | Fried Mexican Cheese Sticks ($12.95) comment: Upon trying it, the first thing that stood out was a flavor that resembled cardboard, with only a very slight (and I mean slight) hint of Dorito chips. - 1 order | Expresso Martini ($15.00): comment: Tasted like straight vodka, nothing else - 1 order | Crunch Wrap Supreme ($20.90) comment: This was the only slightly decent item we ordered. Even then, when compared to a fast-food chain like Taco Bell, they would likely make a better wrap than what was served here--and for a lower price. CONCLUSION: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hope they take this feedback as encouragement to improve their food and drink quality, because what was presented was truly disappointing. I came in expecting to enjoy a lunch date, and while it at least gave us something to laugh about, I'm serious when I say the items we ordered were atrocious. I would rate everything a 1/10, except for the Crunch wrap Supreme, which gets a 3/10.

This is authentic as it gets. We came on a Saturday afternoon, ordered at the counter and waited…read morefor our food to be delivered to our table. There was a consistent steady flow of customers, eating in and picking up orders to go. On this frigid day I think that is a testament to the quality of the establishment. The decor inside is delightful, they have potted plants hanging from the ceiling with vines sprawling out, growing along strategically placed lines across the ceiling. Several playful piñatas are strewn about. It was a quiet, calm atmosphere. Even with the grills and ovens clearly cranking the dining room was chilled. Handmade signs are everywhere most in Spanish, with some English translations underneath. Laminated menus are also available. We waited what I thought was an appropriate time for our food, the items were brought out at separate times. One item completely forgotten, so we took it to-go. Fine though we were stuffed with what we had. We had ordered one steak and one shrimp taco (3 of each came out) definitely a miscommunication but sour cream on the side was noted and came on the side. We also enjoyed chips with a spicy green salsa, along with a voluptuous chicken quesadilla.

greatt local spot for Mexican food. You can really tell everything is made with care and pride --…read morethe flavors are authentic, fresh, and full of comfort. Every bite tasted homemade, not rushed or generic like big chains. The food was authentic,delicious, portions were huge, and the quality really stood out. On top of that, the people were kind, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do, which makes the experience even better. If you're looking to support a small business and enjoy amazing Mexican food, this place is definitely worth checking out. I'll absolutely be back. i could not take pictures due to me diving in the food as soon as it was ready . i recommend eating theere while food is hot

I really enjoy it here and sometimes forget they exist but the staff is always really nice and it's…read morea cool place to sit and eat. I really like their flan and their Taki coated street corn.

I was in the mood for a quesadilla so I decided to give Tacos Diablo a try…read more With that known, I ordered a chicken quesadilla and it was fine. To explain, the tortilla was fresh and cooked perfectly. However, the quesadilla was very thin and didn't have much in it. The only thing inside the quesadilla was chicken and cheese which led to it being a bit dry. The quesadilla definitely needed some type of sauce. At least the chicken itself was flavorful and tender. That being said, it was simply an average quesadilla. To be brief, Tacos Diablo has acceptable quesadillas, but they are nothing special.

From start to finish, I was really unimpressed with The Daisy. Starting in the small crowded entry…read moreway, we waited nearly 10 minutes for staff to approach us. We had a reservation at 6pm and felt invisible when we walked in, just to be seated in a table 5 feet away. Maybe they were understaffed, but friendly staff could have gone a long way here. We started with cocktails and they were all good. We didn't really have opportunities to order more, so I only tried one. We started with the Fried Burrata and Caesar salad. The fried buratta was delicious but not enough bread, or a spoon served with it so most of the sauce went to waste. We loved the pesto on the dish. The Caesar salad was extremely underdressed and under seasoned. None of us enjoyed it. We then ordered entrees, I got the flat iron and they ordered the carbonara and the burger. The flat iron was ordered rare, and served blue. The steak and sauce on it was cold. I didn't complain because I didn't want to try and call her over, they did not check on us after the food was delivered. The sauce on it was okay but I think it took away from the flavor of the meat, very strong cumin and chili flavor, a little gritty. The fries were good and the broccolini was mushy and overcooked. The carbonara was also a miss, it was overly peppered and unpleasant to eat. This dish was ultimately sent back and we explained it was overly peppered and inedible, and she ordered something else. My friend who ordered the burger really enjoyed it and it looked great. The server was not accommodating at all and barely checked on us. We sent food back and the server just threw it away without a thought in the world, and it remained on the bill. At this point we just wanted to pay and leave. Bad service can ruin a night, and it put a damper on our girls night out. My photos came out impeccable, unfortunately most of it looked better than it tasted. I could look over bad service if the food was great, but when neither is, it's a hard pass from me.

Great location & ambiance, great service and great food. Interesting creative menu and everything…read morewas well prepared for all 4 of us. Very impressive cocktails and even have their own infused spirits! I did think the Sea Bass was a high price for the size of the fish and would order something else next time.

I'm out of superlatives for Hooked, but since it had been a while since we had been, I thought it…read morewise to update my review. This is a haute cuisine place that is masked by the casual dining atmosphere. Seriously: top notch chef, original recipes, a core dedication to quality seafood, paired with a fresh fish counter and some prepared food to go. We usually go for something special, but tonight I decided to get an old childhood standby, fried clams (the Boston Basket) and the fish burger sandwich. I did not expect either to be as transportive as they turned out to be. The fried clams were as delicately done as I've ever had: not crispy, but not too floppy, with excellent breading. And while I prefer my clams naked, we tried all three of the dipping sauces -- a remoulade, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce. Now normally I loathe cocktail sauce and can take tartar sauce or leave it, so I figured we'd eat up the remoulade and ignore the other two. Still, I gave them little nibbles. Man! The cocktail sauce was like no other I've had, with a heavy hint of horseradish and a far fresher flavor than I've ever had. Then the tartar sauce -- genius! It had a delicate spicing, with capers providing a floral backdrop. That was only a preliminary, as the fish burger proved to be complex, with hints of multiple kinds of fish, and a fennel-based spicing. I ended up having that afterglow, as if I'd had a couple of cocktails and was sitting next to a fireplace, that is the hallmark of truly fine food at an advanced level. We also had the usual outstanding service, attentive without being pushy. I seriously think Hooked should consider splitting into two restaurants: one where the ambiance is upgraded to match the high caliber of the food, and another cheaper one that is strictly fast casual and takeout, and they'd more than double the business. There is a restaurant back where we come from in California, Turtle Bay, that did this with fine dining on one side and the quick, simple, and affordable food on the other side, with a big shared kitchen between them but with completely separate ambiances. That way I could come back more frequently, and still have the original Hooked for special occasions!

I finally decided to give Hooked a try after hearing many great things about their lobster roll…read more With that said, I'm glad I did because the food was delicious. To explain, I ordered the cold lobster roll with fries and it was great. First off, the lobster was tender, incredibly fresh, and they loaded the roll with it. Likewise, the roll was perfect. It was airy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. My only issue with the lobster roll was that it needed more mayonnaise. In the same manner, the fries were phenomenal. To make plain, the fries were scorching hot and seasoned to perfection. Also, they had a crispy exterior with a fluffy interior. These were simply great fries. Essentially, Hooked offers great lobster rolls and fries.

New favorite lunch spot!…read more Jesus's is brand new on river street in Troy and they are killing it! Everything is exploding with flavor and so well done, affordable too! Last week, my office ordered the burrito box for 6, 6 full sized chicken burritos, tons of chips, and two salsas for $54. You can't beat that deal, and the flavor was out of this world on every single component. The pico was incredible and the burrito were a great size. Today I tried the birria ramen and I really enjoyed this as well. They are killing it in the kitchen. The only question I had is, why isn't it served with birria meat? The standard option is chicken, which was good but I think the beef would go better with the beefy broth. Either way, it was a stellar bowl of soup for lunch, and so so filling, I could barely finish half. And the packaging was great too! We're already planning our order for next week. Check it out for sure.

Always a fun experience at Jesus Mexican Grill! Their birria is flavorful and great for dipping. I…read moream always impressed with the tenderness of the meat and variety of toppings. The torta ahogada was something I wouldn't normally go for, but wow! Its flavor was unmatched and the freshness from the picked veg and lettuce brought it to life! I also love their red and green salsas. It's a small spot great for pick up or dining in.

I have to give it a 5 rating at this point because I can't say anything negative about our visit…read more It's a unique place very opulent and oddly decorated still with Christmas pieces and Mickey Mouse figurines. Nicely appointed padded booths and large open seating areas and a nice full bar separated section. Service was good no issues with anything there and the menu had many good choices. The food was served fairly quickly and all our dishes were done well. Nice dessert menu and agin no issues there as well.

Very disappointed. Our group of about 14 women reserved a lunch get together at this restaurant…read more The place looked very nice. It was empty when we came, and we had at least 4 servers taking care of us. But the service was totally inadequate! We were seated at two tables. One table got their food before the second table even got our orderscyskrn despite several requests. The first table got their checks before we even got our food. When our reservation was made we were assured that we would get separate checks, but after our lunch there were several discussions and arguments about getting separate checks, using credit cards etc. At the end we did get separate checks but it was a hassle. Our food was if uneven quality. Some hot dishes were cold. My "tropical" salad was a big bowl of iceberg lettuce with a few strawberries and a couple tiny (diced) pieces of canned pineapple. It cost like a real lunch - about $15. The whole experience was unpleasant.

I love getting the empanadas from here. They are authentic crispy fresh and gluten-free. I also…read morelove their salsa. Very good. Definitely recommend trying a few different ones. This restaurant offers walk in or to go and offers a lot of indoor seating options.

The woman who took my order behind the counter was just so friendly, and she had a smile the entire…read moretime we talked. After I placed an order for 2 empanadas, she pointed to a blackboard I had missed to let me know I could convert that to a lunch special which included a small salad and a lemonade, which I did. For a salad that, as far as I could tell was just lettuce, shredded carrot and dressing it was quite tasty, and I wonder what their dressing is. The lemonade was mango infused. I do not like overly sweet lemonade, and this had very little of the overt sweetness you might get elsewhere - all flavor. The empanadas are well made. Of the ones I tried today, I preferred the chorizo and cheese, which had a taste and texture of meaty and gooey. I had expected the chicken in the other empanada to be a bit firmer, until I remembered that it is more of a chicken stew. Both were very good, and I enjoyed both of the sauces that came with them. It's getting tougher and tougher to come to Galleria 7 and know what I want to get, all the choices are so tempting.