$: $10 and under
$$: $10 to $15
$$$: $15 and up
Try the crab-stuffed pepper at Abuelo's, or the authentic horchata at La Altena. The area's Mexican restaurants are eager to please.
Abuelo's
2102 Hamilton Place Blvd.
855-7400
Found throughout the South and Midwest, Abuelo's takes Tex-Mex to a new level. Pescado Guerro, wood-grilled mahi-mahi with shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, spinach, roasted peppers and avocado in wine sauce, is a house specialty. But try the crab-stuffed poblano pepper with lobster sauce for a taste sensation. $$
Amigo
5450 Highway 153, 875-8049; 5794 Brainerd Road, 499-5435; 3805 Ringgold Road, 624-4345; and 1906 Dayton Blvd., 870-9928
Great selection of Mexican favorites. Quick, friendly and reasonably priced, with servers who keep the hot chips and spicy salsa flowing. $
Cancun
1809 Broad St., 266-1461, and 7010 Lee Highway, 894-1942
Authentic Mexican fare. The parilla for three comes with five different meats, including shrimp and chorizo. Selection of beers. $
El Matador
2233 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe
706-861-4898
Mexican favorites in chicken, steak, pork, seafood or vegetarian varieties prepared in fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, quesadillas and nachos. The frozen margaritas get rave reviews. $
El Meson
2204 Hamilton Place Blvd., 894-8726, and 248 Northgate Mall, 710-1201
Varied menu of south-of-the-border fare. Go on Sunday between 11 and 3 for a family brunch, when kids eat free from 11 a.m. to noon. $
El Metate
5922 Hixson Pike, 842-1400; 9322 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, 332-3190; and 16952 Rankin Ave., Dunlap, Tenn., 423-949-6132
Enormous menu offers traditional Mexican favorites, sometimes with a twist. Friendly service and plenty of options from which to select. $
La Altena
314 W. Main St., 266-7595; 8644 East Brainerd Road, 893-9047; and 615 Commercial Lane, off Mountain Creek Road, 877-1447
South-of-the-border dishes often said to be the most authentic in town. Try washing down a torta with a tamarind soda or horchata. $
La Fiesta Mexican Grill
8523 Hixson Pike
843-1149
Mexican fare and more. The specialty of the house is fajitas, made with shrimp, beef or chicken. Steak taquitos are a favorite. $$
Las Margaritas
1101 Hixson Pike, 756-3332; 4604 Skyview Drive, 892-3065; and 3100 Cummings Highway, 825-0304
Mexican specialties prepared with fresh ingredients include enchiladas, burritos and tacos. Great atmosphere for a big party. Margaritas naturally a specialty. $
Las Palmas
1331 W. Walnut Ave., Dalton, Ga.
706-529-8477
Tasty, fresh Mexican creations such as Fajitas Texanas, Fiesta Quesadilla and Hidalgo Chicken. Guacamole is made at the table. $
Mexi-Wings VII
5773 Brainerd Road
296-1073
Mexican and wings? Yes. Ginormous menu offers a variety of specials, New California Burritos, American dishes, vegetarian combinations, a la carte items, drinks and a kids menu. $
Moe's Southwest Grill
1820 Gunbarrel Road, 553-6930, and 5510 Highway 153, 875-8757
A great variety of create-your-own Tex-Mex favorites. Dieters, try the Close Talker Lite, made with organic tofu. A salsa bar and cold beer complete the experience. $
Qdoba Mexican Grill
414 Market St., 756-4777, and 5798 Brainerd Road, 894-4499
Burritos, quesadillas, nachos and taco salads are made to your specifications as you walk through the line. $
Taqueria Jalisco
1634 Rossville Ave.
509-3430
A tiny, Southside taqueria offers quesadillas, sinchronizadas, burritos, tortas, tacos and more. Meat choices include pastor (marinated pork) and barbacoa (braised beef). Wash it down with a Mexican Coke. $
