Maracas Mexican Cantina & Grill — Restaurant in Rancho Mirage

After a long day of shopping at multiple box stores in Palm Desert, I was starving and decided to stop for some Mexican food (my favorite) and came in and asked for a table for 1 around 7:30. I was quickly seated at a booth but sadly did not get even a glass of water or any server until nearly 8 p.m. I was just ready to walk out when a server asked if I had been helped. I said no, and I wanted a water, a Rum Punch and 2 chicken enchiladas. (I did not want to give him only my drink order at this slow of a pace.) Well, I got the water within a few minutes but the drink took another 15 minutes and the food 25 minutes. The drink was $14.50 and was in a tall glass but mostly ice and punch. I would expect this of an $8 to $10 drink but not a $14.50 drink. The dinner was just OK. (Nothing like the LA area Mexican Restaurants I am accustomed to). When the waiter asked if I wanted another drink I said no, I was disappointed with the 1st and he asked if their was something else I would like so I said OK, I will have a White Russian (my usual drink 90% of the time) which is very difficult to mess up! I mean, how can you mess up Kahlua, Vodka and milk??? Well, they did! It was definitely not Kahlua. It was a cheap off brand of some other coffee liquor! It was in a short tumbler and was $8.50 which would be OK if it was...

I'll be the first to admit that I am far from an expert when it comes to Mexican cuisine. I've never been to Mexico and don't live in an area known for its Mexican food. All that being said, I really like this place.

Whenever I go to a Mexican restaurant, I always judge it by its salsa. A Mexican restaurant that doesn't have good salsa is like an Italian restaurant that can't make a good tomato sauce or a Mediterranean place that can't make a good hummus. And the salsa here that came with the complimentary chips was delicious. I devoured it. So that was definitely a promising start.

My family and I also shared guacamole which tasted freshly made and was just right.

For my entree, I had a fajita burrito with chicken. I was expecting this to be a heaping mess of cheese and cream but was pleasantly surprised to find that it was filled mostly with grilled peppers, grilled chicken, and some cheese. It was tasty without being overwhelming. The other things that came with the dish (e.g., rice, sweet corn 'cake', pico, etc.) were all very tasty as well.

If I'm ever back in the area, will definitely check this place out again.

I do wish we had a Mexican restaurant like this in NYC; most of the ones I've tried are nowhere...

P I C K T H I S P L A C E ! ! 🔥🔥One of the best in the desert for price, quality, margaritas, service, and table salsa. 💲Price is not the most expensive (like Fresh Agave) but not the cheapest ( El Mexicali). 🍸Cadillac Margaritas are so good. Nice and strong and delicious. Keep it this way!! 🌮 Food is so good. Super Fast. The portions are very large and come with this delicious little corn cake. 🌮 Taco Tuesday to get Mexican street Tacos $1.50 they have 5 options to mix and match (🍗chick, 🥩Carne, 🐟fish, 🐖El pastor, carnitas). Pro Tip 1 taco could be split into 2 🌮 Kids menu the portions are large Pro Tip Get the burrito, make it wet, green or red sauce. it's an enchilada. 🌮 Table salsa I would say 9/10 always comes good. 🏃 Servers are really nice. 🍧 Fried Ice Cream for kids. ⚠️Happy hour until 6 - nothing too special here for this. House margaritas are not good. ⚠️ Can get very busy in the evenings...