3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 for the cocktails and apps)
A friend recently asked me to find a good spot for spicy margaritas on a sunny Friday afternoon, and I took it as a fun challenge to try somewhere new. I had previously ordered takeout from Tipsy Taco Cantina in Latham and remembered the tacos being delicious, so I was excited to try the dine-in experience.
We arrived during what seemed to be happy hour. The bar area was busy, which was expected, but the main dining room had plenty of open seating. The restaurant also has a small front patio with a few tables. While it's a nice option in warm weather, it's located right next to a busy five-lane road (Route 9), so there is a fair amount of street noise. The patio has some evergreen trees placed along two sides to provide some privacy, but one side remains completely open to the traffic.
The overall decor matched what I'd expect from a cantina-style restaurant--colorful and casual. The music selection, however, felt inconsistent. It ranged from early 2000s pop and bar anthems to country and reggaeton. While not unpleasant, the variety lacked cohesion and made it hard to set a specific atmosphere.
I arrived before my friends and waited about 15 minutes before anyone came to take my order. Although the restaurant wasn't crowded in the dining area, it seemed that staffing may have been limited. I ordered a mezcal old-fashioned, which was served about five minutes later--and it was excellent: smooth, smoky, and perfectly balanced.
Once my friends joined, we ordered drinks and a variety of appetizers to share. The service continued to be a bit slow, but our server was friendly. We had the bottomless chips and salsa, crab queso dip, street corn fritters, and yucca fries. All of the appetizers were enjoyable, but the crab queso stood out as a table favorite. Both the fritters and yucca fries were heavily coated in Tajín, which added a strong citrus flavor--delicious for those who enjoy bold seasoning, but potentially overpowering for more sensitive palates.
For entrées, I ordered the chicken Caesar salad, and one of my friends tried the crunchwrap. Unfortunately, the salad was a letdown. The chicken looked well-seasoned but tasted quite bland, and the dressing lacked the signature Caesar flavor I expected. In contrast, the crunchwrap received positive feedback. My friend described it as exactly the kind of hearty, satisfying meal you'd want after a night out.
We ended up taking home the rest of the wrap and some of the appetizers because the portions were generous.
Overall, I'd return to Tipsy Taco for the cocktails, chips, and shared plates--especially if I'm in the mood for a relaxed afternoon with friends. While the service was a bit slow and some of the food uneven, the quality of the drinks and appetizers made up for it. Just don't expect a quiet patio experience or seamless table service during busier hours. read more