Veracruzana Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in City of Cortland

Why not 5 stars? Nothing is perfect. What was wrong with my meal? Absolutely nothing.

I just had my first meal at this restaurant. Mexican food has always been my favorite cuisine. I wish that I hadn't waited so long to try the place.

The building is an old greasy spoon diner, so it doesn't exactly scream "authentic Mexican cuisine" as you're passing by. On the other hand, this location does come with being an icon on Cortland's local map.

When you step through the doors, the Mexican culture is proudly presented. Salsa music, the smells and sounds of a Mexican kitchen. And a family that is proudly Mexican, but also long standing members of this community. Friendly faces and smiles greeted me everywhere. Even the dishwasher smiled and said hello as they made their way through the restaurant.

I ordered the 'Carnitas' dinner. (Pork tips, seasoned rice, choice of beans, tortillas, pico de gallo), tortilla chips and salsa were complimentary at the table.

The food was served quickly, the plate it was served on was hot. The owner warned me. I touched it anyway. It was hot, but not the finger melting experience that I have found before.

I'm 6'3", and weigh more than 300lbs. I'm not a little eater. But I couldn't finish my plate. Well, I could have, but I would have had to pick at it for a while, so I took the rest home with me.

The prices are reasonable. I'm old, and ALL food just seems too expensive to me. Starting at the grocery store. Obviously, the starting cost of food has a knock on effect for the cost of eating out. But I really do think that for the quality of the ingredients, the flavor of those ingredients, and the amount of food that I received there can be no complaints.

A lot of restaurants cut corners on quality while raising prices, and shifting costs (forced tipping and fees) onto the consumer. Here is a restaurant, serving quality food, at respectable prices, and with a friendly smile to accompany it.

This was my first visit. It damn sure won't be my last. (By way of comparison, check out my review for the "River St. Taco Bell in these Google...

My family was in Cortland for my kid’s baseball tournament last weekend and we spotted this place driving by it. From the outside it looks simple and nothing fancy, but we got the feeling that it would be authentic Mexican food.

We decided to give it a try after reading good reviews and we were very pleased with our choice. The food was delicious. The birria pizza one of my kids ordered looked amazing. Great portion size and didn’t disappoint. The rest of us had chimichangas (veggie not fried, chicken and beef). All of us were pleased with the portion sizes and taste. The wait for food was reasonable, and we were given some nacho chips with a type of salsa while waiting.

Good value and service. The atmosphere is clean, but the interior looks a little dated. It looks like it must have been a diner in the past, but we didn’t mind it at all.

If we are ever in the area again, we will...

Food? They offer a properly refined array of authentic Mexican cuisine that has not of yet disappointed me in any way other than the self inflicted gut aches from finishing every damn bite of the delicious and more than substantial serving sizes. Atmosphere? It could use an update if I'm being honest but in its almost intentional neglect falls a certain comfort in reminiscing about the good times had in the original frank and Mary's restaurant that the new owners have made their own in a deserving way. Bonus? Drinks!!! Upon one of my last visits as of late i found that they serve a little variety of social lubricants... in which I indulged in glowingly! 😆

I highly recommend... and i plan to be back soon to have a seat out on the newly incorporated patio area, while enjoying a bite and a brew.

God bless and...