**** (4 stars)

Good traditional Mexican dishes and combinations and excellent Margaritas. The namesake Margarita with a dash of orange juice was nice and fruity, and the Patron Margarita packed a punch.

The relleno was my favorite item.

Vallarta Mexican Grill
1301 W Wyatt Earp Blvd
Dodge City, KS 67801

https://www.yelp.com/biz/vallarta-mexican-grill-dodge-city-2

***** (5 stars)

I've always enjoyed the other Azteca locations, and this one is just as good, and even better decorated. What a transformation from the old Village Inn!

Open only a week, and really bustling, but the service and kitchen were mostly able to keep up.

Fajitas are the highlight for me here. This was the first time I tried them with carnitas, and the meat was tender and succulent.

The Cadillac Margaritas are also excellent.

The dining room is high ceilinged, but can be quite loud when full. For a somewhat less boisterous dining experience, ask for a high top in the bar, or a table in the room beyond the bar.

Azteca D’Oro Winter Garden
3130 Daniels Rd
Oakland, FL 34787

https://www.yelp.com/biz/azteca-d-oro-winter-garden-oakland

**** (4 stars)

I'll admit to being very picky about Mexican restaurants, having grown up in Southern California. My experience with Mexican restaurants in New York City has been nothing short of abysmal. So I was prepared for the same here, particularly when the salsa showed up and was something closer to cream of tomato soup.

But then the short rib tacos with bone marrow arrived, and things changed completely. This was one of the best items I've ever had in a Mexican restaurant, and could easily have been served in many of the top fine dining small plate restaurants in the city.

I'm not sure this one item fully justifies the four stars, but since the guacamole, Margarita, and ceviche were fine, it's at least a 3-1/2 star place. Just be sure to have the short ribs.

Toloache 50
251 West 50th St
New York, NY 10012

https://www.yelp.com/biz/toloache-50-new-york

**** (4 stars)

It sounds like the evening tasting menu here would be really interesting. We stopped for lunch on our way through town, and the offerings were somewhat limited. The most interesting item was the plate of two tacos, one pibil, and one chicken, which were both excellent. Their take on a Margarita is interesting.

Access is off the parking lot. You order at the counter. Plenty of outdoor seating, but only a couple of tables inside.

Republica
721 NW 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

https://www.yelp.com/biz/republica-portland-2

**** (4 stars)

Good Americanized Mexican food in a beautifully decorated space with unfortunately bright lighting that makes it seem like a Home Depot's lighting department! Half the customers were wearing baseball caps, and I wishe dI had one, too!

The food was exactly as you would expect form a small chain sit-down Mexican restaurant, with nothing standing out, but all certainly fine.

The Cadillac Margarita was excellent, especially with an added sqeeze of lime to cut the sweetness.

Service was just okay.

El Sombrero
4 W Oak St
Walla Walla, WA 99362

https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-sombrero-walla-walla-2

***** (5 stars)

I'm pretty sure this is the best restaurant in the Branson area. It's certainly the best Mexican restaurant. There's an extensive menu of both authentic Mexican and Tex Mex food. The margaritas are great. The nachos and guacamole are great. And the service and kitchen are lightning fast, even during rush times.

I'm originally from Southern California, so my expectations for Mexican food are pretty high, and this far surpassed what I was expecting to find in Branson. Well done!

El Lago
18942 MO-BUS13
Branson West, MO 65737

https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-lago-branson-west