Si Amigos — Restaurant in Reno

While driving around after my haircut, I craved tacos. There's a spot almost right next door to where I get my haircut but that wasn't the food I was jonesing for today.

My go-to spot was packed for lunch so I kept going until I said out loud in the car, "let's go see Omar!" The man whose name was blurted out in my car is the owner, proprietor of Si Amigos. When I arrived, I opened the door and saw Omar sitting at the bar, eating lunch. I said, "Omar!" He was startled but happy to see me. His restaurant is chock-full of family recipes so choosing one item, in particular, wasn't easy. I saw molé enchiladas and ALMOST went with those but I wanted tacos. I ordered the three Al Pastor taco plate. The server offered chips and salsa and of course, I said, "yes, please." After chatting with Omar for a few, my food arrived. I was super hungry so I knew the food wasn't going to stand a chance.

Boy, was I wrong.

By the time I made it through most of the chips and salsa, two tacos, and all of the rice, there was one taco left. Omar said, "you can't be done. You still have one left." I said, "i really want to eat it but I'm super comfortable right now", so I got a to-go box and made sure to bring it with me when I left.

The meat in the tacos was incredibly flavorful, the corn tortillas were absolutely perfect, and the rice they serve is SO close to my grandmother's recipe. I felt like I was a teenager again, back in her kitchen, listening to her and my Grandfather have a conversation.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is great, the staff is really friendly, and the food ...oh man, the food is on-point. They have a killer tequila selection including a chipotlé tequila designed for a Bloody Maria. I'm not saying that I'm looking forward to enjoying one of those when I'm hungover but I'm also not going to turn away the drink if I'm not hungover. 😂😂

All in all, today's stop was most definitely 10/10. I look forward to going back there soon. Thanks for taking the time to read this review. Most importantly, thank you for taking the time to eat the food they make. The more we support the Mom and Pop places, the longer they're...

I generally only write reviews when a place is either excellent or horrible. This place is beyond bad. The photos show chips and salsa much nicer that what we experienced. The same with the plated food.

I have no clue what these other reviews are talking about. In the last decade, or so, I have been to a hundred different Mexican Restaurants all over the southwestern United States. This is unquestionably the worst Mexican Restaurant I have ever experienced. The chips were not just cold, but looked like they had been cooked twice, and they tasted bad. The ice tea even tasted stale; like it was a couple of days old. I make sun tea and keep it in my refrigerator for a week before it no longer tastes right. I ordered shredded beef on my taco and enchilada. What I got was some sort of ground beef with filler. Likely half potato onion meat mix. I asked the waiter what it was. He had the opportunity to say they do not have shredded beef when I specifically ordered it. He did not. It was not only not what I ordered, but it was basically tasteless. I have lived in Reno for forty years. I told my wife that we should try that restaurant by the key shop. It has been here forever. So anyhow, this was the first, and the last, time we eat at Si Amigos..

They were even playing loud American rock music. This place could/should have the atmosphere. For us, it did not. The waiter was inattentive. Probably because he knew we had ordered shredded beef, and he had served us something else. If it had been good ground beef; I would not be writing this. All around, this was just bad.

My recommendation......

In search of great Mexican food in the Reno area. We have tried a few, and will continue. Our dilemma is trying new dishes or sticking to the food dishes we love. Fajitas, menudo, Chile Verde, camarones El Diabla are our standards. We found si amigos on s. Virginia st, as we were driving by to Carson City. We stopped for looky and see and try the food. I selected the camarones Cabo Blanco and she tried her chicken flautas. Being picky about spices, we should have asked if the cook could spice up our dishes as I know we want heat in certain cuisines. Other than that the food was tasty and the portions huge. My shrimp was cooked delicately and not overdone. Juicy to the bite. The cream sauce was zesty, but not hot/spicy like I prefer. Flour tortillas were extra charge Her flautas were made of flour and not corn like she prefers. They were lightly fried, which she prefers and not overdone. The dish she ordered was just an appetizer, but the portions were a nice size and included a salad. Chips and salsa served, but also lacking the spice and heat we prefer. Another good Mexican restaurant, but we will continue to look for other Mexican restaurants in the area. This was a beautiful restaurant, reminded me of restaurants in Cancun. Our waitress was attentive to our needs and we did not suffer from needs or drinks...