El Loco Mexican Cafe — Restaurant in City of Albany

It was more like entering boot camp than a restaurant when we arrived to El Loco. There were too many rules for dining outside. No tables could be moved together to create a larger seating for our group of 7 so they made us all sit at a picnic table. The seating area inside is so dark and it was a nice day so we just went with it. There was no one in the restaurant and still the female hostess did not want a wheelchair sitting outside, saying it would block up too much of the space. So we carried our daughter to a seat on the patio and left her small wheelchair inside. While looking at the menu, the staff came and said they wanted us to collapse the wheelchair (not easy since it is a custom chair but we took it apart) and they pushed it, by the bar. Another group of 6 folks came outside while we were dining and the woman said they could not sit at their selected seats. She directed them to other separated seating. Then, they just wanted to poke off the standing water on the canopy that would be over their head before sitting but the staff had to ask the same woman if they could. She said it was not allowed so they left the restaurant, stating that they wanted a place with a patio. This made us uncomfortable, reminding us again, of our challenging experience getting seated. When our food came it was decent tasting, even good, maybe, and all of the serving staff was also pretty good. However, the blonde woman who was the hotess or manager, had started our visit off so negatively, with so many rules and restrictions, we were not really able to fully relax enjoy the rest of the experience. I know none of us ever wants to go back to El Loco. There are many other good Mexican Restaurants in this area. Here, there were too many things that were "NO" and we just wanted a nice Sunday...

First time here although I've walked by here literally hundreds of times, and eat and drink on lark and Madison all the time. I walk right in at 430 for happy hour, greeted right away with a seat and a nice waitress. About 5 people there but when I left 45 minutes later about 30 people enjoying food and drink. I ordered the AnchoChipotle Chicken & Spinach Broiled Enchiladas (2) filled with Chile's, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and red peppers in tomatillo salsa with cheeses. 16.50 the server Letitia said it was her favorite and recommend I get the blue corn bread as my side with my rice and beans. It was also happy hour so I got a nice red sangria with fresh fruit for $5. Lots of tequila and drink selections, some really cool looking bottles too. They have a hot sauce bar where you pick your own salsa/sauce like Moe's. Hot was nice and hot, Loco sauce heats up after a minute or two...eat slowly. Food came out in about 10 minutes, and it took me about 20 mins to eat it all. Above average portions, very filling. I was able to eat it all. Which is rare, but I'm hungry today 🤷🏻‍♂️ I'd definitely recommend, I'll be back with friends sometime. Great scenery, very broad menu, lots of friendly servers. Great spot for authentic Mexican food if you're in Albany. Nice happy hour...

El Loco is not the Mexican place on Madison, it's THE place on Madison. Drinks are top-notch, food is delicious, staff is hilarious: everything's excellent. The kitchen is accommodating to my requests for vegan alterations. I should subtract one point because they really need to get a complete vegan section on the menu—after all, it's 2024—but I can't do it. If you ask for vegan or other alteration, they'll serve it up tasty.

This is a premium experience without elevated prices. The food shines—especially notable are the insane freshness of the ingredients and the kitchen's consistency in gustatory excellence and presentation. The atmosphere is Dia de la Muertas (in a good way). And the staff rivals that at Le Cirque, if they wanted to be fancy and formal. This is real, good food served with joy and good humor.

Maria, Patrick (sorry, Dude, I know you own the joint, but I can't put Maria second or else she'd roast my ass 'til it was beet red), "and the rest" (blame Gilligan's Island (if you know, you know)): the whole crew will make your visit one to remember. This is excellent dining and a fun time in Albany.

Come spend your dining money here!...