MEXICAN
Cactus
Café
54
Main St., Lee, Mass.,
(413) 243-4300. Traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine
features fresh fish, grilled items and lots of vegetarian
specialties. Creative daily specials. Mexican beer, margaritas,
wine and sangria. Takeout and catering available; special
parties up to 35. Serving lunch 11:30-2:30 daily, dinner
5-9:30 Sun-Thu, 5-10 Fri-Sat. MC, V. $$
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Chia Bob’s Bistro
1036
Crane St., Schenectady, 386-2200. Serving Mexican favorites
with a focus on vegetarian dishes. Offering “build-your-own”
burritos, tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas. Fill your pick
with an eclectic array of choices from artichoke hearts
or asparagus to wild mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes. Entertainment
on most nights. Full bar, off-premises catering, private
parties. Serving dinner 5 PM-1 AM Wed-Sat; 3-9 Sun. Closed
Mon-Tue. AE, MC, V. $
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Chili’s Restaurant
60
Wolf Road, Albany, 489-4664. Come in and enjoy casual family
dinning at this Southwestern bar and grill. Try the signature
baby back ribs, steaks, sizzling fajitas and salads. Margarita
bar. Catering and takeout available. Serving 11-11 Sun-Thu,
11 AM-midnight Fri-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $$.
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El Loco Mexican Café
465
Madison Ave., Albany, 436-1855. An eccentric bistro where
the specialties include quesadillas, chilis rellenos, Tex-Mex
fare and many vegetarian items. Try the spinach-artichoke
burrito or the ancho-chipotle chicken. Full bar, gourmet
margaritas made with 100-percent blue agave, tequilas, beer
and wine. Takeout available, Tuesdays are smoke-free. Serving
11:30-10 Tue-Thu, 11:30-11 Fri, noon-11 Sat, 4:30-10 Sun.
Closed Mon. Reservations suggested for large parties; reservations
not accepted Fri-Sat nights. AE, MC, V. $$
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El Mariachi
144
Washington Ave., Albany, 465-2568. The real thing: True
Mexican cooking in downtown Albany. Try the cochinita pibil,
a popular pork roast made with orange juice and red onions.
Full bar. Serving 11:30-10 Mon-Thu, 11:30-11 Fri, 1-11 Sat,
1-10 Sun. AE, MC, V. $
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El Mariachi II
289
Hamilton St., Albany, 432-7580. Authentic Mexican and Spanish
dishes, including paella and pollo San Marco. Full bar,
featuring over 45 top tequilas. Takeout and on-premises
catering available. Serving 11-10 Mon-Thu, 11-11 Fri, 1-11
Sat, 1-10 Sun. Parking across the street available after
4 PM. AE, MC, V. $$
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Fresno’s Southwest Restaurant & Bar
1620
Western Ave., Albany, 456-2837. A chain restaurant with
a Southwestern theme and even a handy “How to Eat a Fajita”
guide. The fajitas are a specialty, as are items like Louisiana
Cajun Skillet (chicken, shrimp and sausage with Cajun-esque
spices). Full bar. Serving 11 AM-midnight daily. AE, D,
MC, V. $$
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Garcia’s
1614
Central Ave., Colonie, 456-4116. The menu of Mexican items
includes pollo fundido, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas and
chimichangas, as well as Tex-Mex barbecued ribs. Full bar,
catering and takeout available. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet
11:30-1:30 Mon-Fri. Serving 11:30-10 Mon-Thu, 11:30-11 Fri-Sat,
noon-9 Sun. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $
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Jake’s Round-Up
23
Main St., South Glens Falls, 761-0015. “Hippest, hottest,
coolest, most groovenist place to be,” is the slogan for
this deluxe cowboy bar with outdoor fountain dining. Dine
in a French bistro or an Adirondack cabin. Specializing
in ethnic grandma comfort food. Serving lunch noon-3 Thu-Sat;
dinner 4-11 daily. Full bar, on- and off-premises catering,
takeout available. AE, MC, V, local personal checks. $$
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Leon’s Mexican Restaurant
135
Crescent St., Saratoga Springs, 587-2346. Jockey Filiberto
Leon is proprietor of this traditional Mexican eatery. Homemade
salsa and cheese sauce are served complimentary with tortilla
chips; specializing in authentic fajitas, quesadillas, flautas,
chimichangas and tamales. Full bar, on-premises catering,
takeout available. Serving 11-10 Wed-Mon. AE, MC, V. $$
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Margarita’s
392
Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 583-1106. Choose from traditional
and gourmet Mexican dishes, such as chicken fajitas, and
a variety of specialty items. Cajun items also spice up
the menu. Vegetarian items and kids’ menu available. Full
bar, extensive margarita and tequila list. Takeout available.
Serving 3 PM-10 Mon-Fri, noon-11 Sat-Sun. AE, MC, V. $$
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Mexican Connection
41
Nelson Ave., Saratoga Springs, 584-4466. Try the burro grande
or a California tostada, fajitas or chimichangas. Full bar,
more than 70 fine tequilas and many Mexican beers. Catering
and banquet facilities available. Daily specials. Serving
from 4 PM Wed-Mon. Closed on Tue. Reservations suggested.
D, DC, MC, V. $$
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Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant
1536
Crescent Road, Clifton Park, 383-2930. Serving authentic
Mexican cuisine in a cozy setting. Featuring fajitas and
entrées like the pollo con fundido (two grilled chicken
breasts atop a bed of rice, peppers, onions and tomatos,
topped with melted cheese); vegetarian specialties. Takeout
available. Serving 11-10 Mon-Thu, 11-11 Fri-Sat, 11-9 Sun.
AE, MC, V. $$
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Sunset Café
42
Front St., Ballston Spa, 885-8550. Chef James Koines blends
his French restaurant experience with Southwestern ingredients.
Cassoulet, bourbon-marinated salmon and unique pasta dishes
are on the menu, as well as daily specials. A pastry chef
on-premises creates tasty desserts such as key lime pie
and chocolate soufflé. Special children’s menu, too. Non-smoking.
Full bar, off-premises catering, takeout available. Serving
11:30-10 daily. AE, MC, V, DC. $$$
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