Riviera Maya is one of the better Mexican Restaurants in the Alton area. I enjoy their Top Shelf…read moreMargaritas, because they actually look and taste like a Top Shelf. I am a fan of their Quesadillas, especially the Shrimp. They serve ample sides of guacamole and sour cream. The Grilled Shrimp Taco is pretty awesome, too. Another favorite item is the salsa that comes with the complimentary chips. It has a spicy kick and the chips are always served warm. The restaurant is always clean and the tables are never sticky when you are seated. I'm glad that they've expanded the sitting area with a covered patio. My last couple of visits, the servers have been primarily female and to be honest they're not as attentive as the male servers. Their service is good, it's just that the men are more friendly and attentive.

Updating review to share that they now have outdoor dining, and the patio is fabulous! So happy…read morethey added this, as outdoor dining is our fav when weather permitting. As always the food and service are great.

It's still fantastic!!! If you haven't been you need to go now. There isn't a better taco…read moreexperience in St. Louis, so cross the river and head to Taqueria Z!!

I enjoyed this place! Probably one of the closest to authentic street tacos you can get in southern…read moreIllinois! However, I'm not sure I'd consider it Mexican food. Sauces were different, and different than authentic Mexican food that I've had, but I still think the dressed the steak fajitas and tacos well! We got our food very quick! The service was great, people were great and the atmosphere was great! I'd definitely be back.

A local fave! This restaurant is soo delicious. We love the street tacos. The quesabirria is…read moreauthentic and very tasty. Even when ordered as take out or delivery, it is soo good & maintains its quality. When dining in our servers have been kind, quick, and collaborative.

Friday night and this small restaurant was packed! We were seated as soon as we walked in and…read morewaited about 15-20 minutes for our food. The service was good and the servers were friendly. The birria that I ordered wasn't necessarily the best, but I'd certainly go back to try something else.

Came here yesterday with family after a golf tournament. Figured we should try Chapala since we are…read morestaying in the hotel. I ordered a sweet tea to drink and it had a lemon on it and that automatically earns a star. For food, I got the number 10 combo which is a chimichanga and enchilada along with rice and beans. And a very surprising cornbread muffin which GETS A STAR. I am an expert at enchiladas and I mean it when I say that was a SOLID cheese enchilada. Gimme a star for that one The chicken inside of the chimichanga was good but a little bland. Cesar our server was amazing, he dapped us all up and he was very wonderful with his energy and enthusiasm. I hope to visit again. BUT before I end this review, I must say something about the hotel because I can't find it on yelp. Mikki at the front desk is so amazing and checked us in and helped me buy candy even when my card got declined! Come here

When I am craving Mexican food, Chapala is one of the restaurants that is in my rotation…read more My recent visit had me enjoying the, Chipotle Mango Tacos with Shrimp. I honestly don't know how it happened, but shrimp tacos are now my favorite taco. This one knocked my shoes off, it was that good. It was a simple taco, filled with shrimp, avocado slices, cheese and chipotle mango sauce. As most Mexican meals, it came with a side of Rice and Beans. I enjoyed a Regular Margarita and a Peach Margarita. The Peach one was recommended by another diner sitting at the bar. I always sit at the end of the bar and have two Margaritas. One accompanies my chips and salsa and the other goes with my entree. That's my logic and I am sticking with it. The staff is always friendly and helpful and when it is super busy on a Taco Tuesday, they hustle to make sure everyone is happy.

My Hidden Gem in E-Ville…read more This spot is hands down the best place for non-traditional tacos I've ever had. Everything is packed with flavor and just pure comfort food. My all-time favorites are the steak tacos and the crispy fish tacos. The steak is perfectly marinated, and the crispy fish is always served hot and crunchy with an amazing coconut curry twist. The flavors are so unique but always hit the spot. Super friendly and welcoming staff!

The tacos were delicious and different! The spring rolls were good. They even offer different…read morebeers, seltzers, and such. A nice touch, I think. The service was great and the atmosphere is casual and inviting. Not cheap, but worth it IMO.

Don't pass on this gem! A little rough on the outside, but…read morenice on the inside. Well decorated for ambiance, booths and tables to make it available for intimate dinners or larger parties. The service was outstanding! I can't say enough about it! The food was piping hot, and delicious. A wide menu with specials, lots of specialty margaritas, something for everyone. It's a nice ride on motorcycles, easy to find, easy in / out. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. We will definitely be back.

Haven't been here for a while, but still the best Mexican around. Food was quick and delicious,…read morebig servings! Had an excellent margarita, and the chips are hot and tasty. Salsa isn't very chunky but has a great flavor. Service was quick and attentive. They have a great local following and a reputation for excellence food with an affordable price. People were enjoying their meals and margs. Great place to enjoy a hot meal!

I read the reviews and I was skeptical only abt service but I have to say we had a wonderful…read moreexperience the food was GREAT and our waiter was awesome. No complaints what so ever. Excel I never really like Mexican food but I am now a lover of Mexican food.

Bright colors ansld decor that you would expect. Sidewalks…read moredefinitely could have been shoveled a little better. Was just a narrow path. We were sat towards the front, and we could feel everytime the door opened. You only get one basket of chips that you don't have to pay for. After that one, they charge. Our daughter both got a order of BBQ wings. The were a little on the spicy side for kids, but the size of the wings were on point. I got a Birria Chimichanga, I tried asking to cub out Chorizo, and it was a flat no. The meat tasted like regular pulled pork/roast. My husband ordered 3 street tacos, but could only chose one meat, and came with no side. It was good, we may return, but it would just be out of conscience.

I'm getting more adventurous in exploring the menu here at Arandas MX Cocina. My recent visit, I…read moretried the, Pollo Feliz and I can honestly say, it may be a future go-to or at least in my top 3 choices. Polo Feliz is one of their chicken specialties. It's a grilled chicken breast with shrimp. They serve it on a bed of mushrooms, onions, bell peppers and melted cheese. On a second plate, it is served with rice, beans, salad and tortillas. It was so much food, I could not clean my plate. The chicken breast and shrimp were excellent. They were seasoned and grilled perfectly. Honestly, when I order it the next time, I may tell them to hold the second plate, except for the tortillas. The service is always good and when it's super busy, I don't mind sitting at the bar. Being a single diner, I hate tying up a table or booth when they could sit a larger group. Arandas is on the backside of my subdivision, I can easily walk there. I'm going to check and see if their new patio is dog friendly. If so, my fur-baby and I may become regulars.

Smaller Mexican restaurant located in Godfrey. The facility is clean, recently remodeled with both…read morebooths and tables. Service was quick and friendly. The food was ok. Standard Midwest Mexican food offerings. I went with the combo plate. The options for fillings were ground beef, shredded chicken (more like chunks than shredded) or cheese. Anyone that has ever been to Texas or California (or even Chipotle or Qdoba) knows that real Mexican food has different types of meats to choose from, not the Taco Bell quickie menu options. I did like the rice. The chips were a little stale, the salsa was fine and I'm not sure what the sweet tasting dipping sauce was. The margarita lacked in taste. I was hoping for something that would make me want to drive back here again but it was a lot like all the others I passed to get here.

I'm biased because we frequent often, but if you still haven't made it over, do yourself a favor…read moreand go! Hubby and I were gifted tickets to their 11 year celebration. We were greeted by the owner, Lauren. During the event, we were housed in the newly renovated event space. Perfect for intimate events. They served guests a full spread complete and drinks on the house. The food was actually very delicious. There was this sort of cheese dip that we ate - all I know is that it had corn in it and spices, but everyone went back for seconds! It was good! (Put it as a regular menu option *wink wink*). Live music, photo ops, and a tour of the brewery where all the magic happens. Lauren led the tour and when I tell you she is knowledgeable, she is very knowledgeable! To learn about their inception makes me appreciate it even more. Go check them out!

I loved this place. I don't drink, but I got to try their local sodas, which lack all the HFCS…read morestuff and has real sugar. It was called Excel Bottling Company. I was pleasantly surprised. The walk to the restaurant area is very pretty and historic as well! They had board games and it felt pretty homey! The food was good, except for my fried chicken sandwich. It seemed to be over cooked, making it hard to chew from the outside. I enjoyed everything else, though! The service was great, too!

Loved the fast service and delicious food! I got the spinach and cheese quesadilla and they had a…read moregreat vegetarian section (9/10) and my husband got the chicken fajitas (7/10). The chicken fajitas could have used more vegetables in his opinion. We got seated quickly and loved the family atmosphere!

Came here for dinner with the family before moving onto the next place while on vacation. It was a…read morenice meal. No problems with seating our party of 6 tonight. The brand new Mexican place a few doors down was much more busy than here, but our guests said they've been to El Mezcal many times and is a local favorite. The frozen peach and lime margaritas were nice and boozy. The fajita nachos did not come out as an appetizer as requested but instead with the rest of our orders which also did not come out together. My kids' chimichangas were excellent. One even thought it to be better than our local Mexican restaurant at home which is saying a lot. My Fajitas were more than filled with shrimp, chorizo, chicken, and steak. The guacamole, pico, and rice and beans were flavorful. Beans were actually kicking with some spice. Wife and I got two shots of what I think was maraschino cherry flavored tequila gratis. What a nice touch. Overall, a nice meal. Restaurant seemed a bit dingy and dark. Had some TVs showing baseball this evening. Mexican style music was loud on the sound system. Service was attentive and pleasant. Not sure of the bill total as I did not have to pay today!