Los Mariachis — Restaurant in Wallingford

I came here twice in the past month.

It’s hard to find good Mexican food in CT especially if you are from Mexico, California or North Carolina.

Los Mariachis is more Tex-mex than Mexican.

When I first stopped by I didn’t know anything about this place.

When I got there it was hard to tell where the entrance was and saw others struggling, not very inviting.

No menu was given, but received one upon request?

I have never tasted water so bad and realized it was Wallingford Tap water.

Then I got the chips and salsa they bring over, green sauce was good but spicy and the red sauce was good but spicy. Chips were good.

Wow, for the prices they charge they can’t even filter their water.

I got the shrimp in garlic butter sauce. Served with beans and rice.

For their prices, this was absolutely disappointing. 24$ you get a handful of medium shrimp that were actually cooked well and swimming in a garlic butter sauce.

You also get diarrhea “refried” beans. That look like they have just been boiled and mashed a bit.

The rice was dry and no flavor.

Service was great that day.

The second visit.

Hello again Wallingford tap water. They can dress you up with as much ice and lemon they want, you still wouldn’t be palatable.

Shouldn’t be drank by anyone honestly.

Still no menu. But I thought it was alright cause I knew what I wanted.

But I guess the menu would not have been for me anyway.

I saw someone get fajitas on the first visit and how satisfied they looked.

Chips and salsa came by. The red sauce did not taste like it did last visit. It tasted like a can of tomato sauce with an immense amount of spice that didn’t even add any flavor to the red sauce. The green sauce was not as spicy this time and had good flavor.

So I decided to get fajitas, simple right?

No, not for Los Mariachis apparently.

I think I had three different waitstaff with varying levels of communication skills.

I was able to tell one waitstaff that I wanted fajitas and it was very hard to understand what they actually offered

I asked for Fajitas that have the sizzling plate and I made the sizzling sound to emphasize which dish I wanted. And the waitstaff seemed to understand.

Then I was asked if I wanted fajitas quesadilla which I asked if it’s the dish with the tortillas, veggies and meat with the sizzling plate, and made the sound again.

I was assured yes. That it was just bigger.

When it came out, it was an actual quesadilla and I explained to a third waitstaff what was going on and they were able to understand my request With the sizzling noise I made..

Still no menu.

It finally came out, I ordered chicken and shrimp fajitas with corn tortillas.

Three long strips of a chicken breast not even the whole breast that were not fajita friendly strips, just cut into long way strips, cooked and plated and a handful of curly small shrimp cooked on a flat top served with peppers and onions with a combo salad plate of olives, guacamole, pico and sour cream for 10 tortillas but only received 5.

The chicken was cooked well and so was the shrimp. Overall the food was decent this time. The service was not as good as the first visit but they were still smiling and friendly.

I got a mojito as well. Which I never had before. It seems like the bartender knew what they are doing because it was simple and delicious and got me buzzed.

Anyway, there are many places in Wallingford that are worth a try because there is a community here now that’s closer to the...

TL;DR: Good food, good people, good drinks. Park across the street and it's your local cantina.

Parking can be tight but don’t sweat it. Just slide across the street to the Ace lot and you’re golden. Once you’re in, expect the basics done right. I’m not reinventing the wheel here. I get the burrito, quesadilla, and/or nachos and I have never been disappointed. I’ve dragged the kids along too; they hold up fine, especially if you grab a spot out on the patio. Sit outside and you’ll feel like you’re on a mini vacation instead of down the street from the same old "theme restaurant" chain joints.

Inside, it’s basically a converted house so it can get tight and loud if it’s packed. Nothing is overdone though. Aimple decor, good music, staff all in black and on point, and every so often a live mariachi band will wander through to remind you what the name means.

Drinks are solid and the cocktails never miss. You almost have to get some refreshing boozy drink. They don’t cheap out on the mint if you’re a mojito fan. Plus, there’s always a special running for the day or a coupon available, so check your local paper. They’re always tossing out coupons for a few bucks off.

No big story here. Just a spot that’s good any day of the week when you get a feeling for Mexican and need a Marg. Come as a couple, or bring a bunch. Friendly neighborhood cantina feel. We go every so often and...

Let me start with this. Finally Google sent me a review reminder right after I ate! THIS IS THE BEST EMPANADA EVER! I was expecting your run of the mill, get anywhere, empanada. But no these are made FRESH! The flour shell was soft and sweet. The meat inside was marinated steak, not ground beef. The dipping sauce was a delicious smokey chipotle. A little hot for me (I can't handle any heat! ). I could have had a plate of these, but I didn't. For my main i opted for the pork chimichanga. While I might not be an expert in chimichangas, or Mexican food, this was as fresh as the empanada. Actually everything was fresh. The refried beans they couldn't give enough of. Rice was excellent. I don't think anything fell short. For dessert the tres leches was great. While I don't know I've had a bad one, this one was great. As for the Mexican steak, it is a thin steak with jalapeno, carmelized onions and charred tomatoes. Perfectly seasoned and seared! As for service I don't have any complaints. They're were attentive just enough. While it wasn't very busy (don't know how this place isn't packed every night? ) and this was my first time there, I don't have anything to compare it to. I really have to make it a point and go here again. You know, to make sure it wasn't a case of me just starving or the substitute chef was in the kitchen. If and when I do I...