WORTH THE DRIVE
Looking to have an adventure down south for Cinco de Mayo? Here’s a list of five Cincinnati restaurants serving up south-of-the-border fare worthy of a one-hour trek and the May 5 holiday that has come to celebrate Mexican culture and pride.
BAKERSFIELD
1213 Vine St., Cincinnati
513-579-0446
Why it rates: With more than 100 different tequilas and whiskeys to choose from as well as a menu featuring authentic, Mexican street fare, Bakersfield now has locations in Cincinnati and Columbus and continues to expand to other cities. It's warm and rustic, and you can eat on the cheap with tacos priced at $3-4 each. It's packed every night of the week, but it's worth the wait.
BARRIO TEQUILERIA
3937 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati
(513) 541-6400
Why it rates: This Northside hot spot was recently named one of the five best outdoor dining spots by Cincinnati Magazine. The restaurant's menu of more than 70 tequilas, craft beers and Mexican street food will taste even better on their patio. On Cinco de Mayo, the restaurant is planning a day of drink and food specials and giveaways. They will open at 11 a.m. for lunch, happy hour from 4-7 p.m. and will not close until 2:30 a.m. The salsa band Azucar Tumbao will be starting at 7 p.m. followed by DJ Drew Sinceer.
CACTUS PEAR
3215 Jefferson Ave., Cincinnati
(513) 961-7400
Why it rates: Mexican food isn't universally known for the healthy options it offers. The long list of margaritas and flavorful Tex-Mex vegetarian-friendly menu items Cactus Pear offers makes this restaurant, located in Clifton near the University of Cincinnati, an appealing option for groups with different dietary needs. The menu was recently updated, so there are some new things to try.
DJANGO WESTERN TACO
4046 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati
(513) 542-3664
Why it rates: The taco joint is named after the 1966 Italian Spaghetti Western by Sergio Corbucci that provided some inspiration to the Quentin Tarantino film, Django Unchained. The menu, with five taco types that can be put into bowls makes ordering easy and quick. It's all lends itself to an interesting, quirky atmosphere that offers a twist diners have likely not seen in this food category.
NADA
600 Walnut St., Cincinnati
(513) 721-6232
Why it rates: Contemporary, hip and delicious, Nada's menu puts modern twists on traditional menu and bar items. Pork Green Chile Enchiladas, Grilled Adobo Rubbed Pork Chop and Yucatan Chicken are just a few dishes not to be missed in addition to the restaurant's wonderful medley of taco options. Nada is located next to the Aronoff Center, making it a perfect pre- or post- show stop.
DAYTON EATS
Turn to us every Sunday in Life & Arts for the latest menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes, and food adventures brought to you by contributing writer Alexis Larsen. Bon appetite!
I don’t need a reason to find my way to a Mexican restaurant. I gravitate there naturally.
And I am clearly not the only one.
Across the country, it is the most popular style of international cuisine making up one out of every 10 restaurants according to 2011 U.S. Census data.
Out of 438,753 restaurants across the country, 38,747 were Mexican restaurants.
I may not need a reason, but I love to have one and Cinco de Mayo is a doozy.
Here’s a list of five Dayton restaurants serving up dishes that will help you celebrate the holiday in style.
Obviously there are plenty more terrific Mexican restaurant options than this list is able to cover. Let this serve as a tasting menu to get you started thinking.
What would be on your list? Agree? Disagree? Let us know if you think there’s another spot that deserves a closer look. What would be on your list? Drop me a line at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com and let me know.
CHUY’S
10445 Innovation Drive at Austin Landing in Miami Twp.
(937) 247-5450
Why it rates: The tex-mex food is decent, but the quirky, colorful decor, fresh cocktails and awesome patio make it worth the trip. The Austin, Texas-based chain has been expanding across the county and seems to lately be focused on Ohio with a location at Austin Landing that just opened, a new restaurant in Madeira near Cincinnati and plans for a possible Beavercreek location. The food is reasonably priced, but they'll get you on the drinks — the Perfect Margarita ($9.25) made with fresh lime juice, Patron Silver tequila and Patron Citronge liqueur and the Mexican Martini ($9.75) made with a green chile-infused El Jimador Silver Tequila and Cointreau and garnished with jalapeño-stuffed olives are both worth ordering.
EL MESON
903 E Dixie Drive, Dayton
937-859-8229
Why it rates: The restaurant currently has a Cinco Cervezas Pints and Paella event going on that runs through May 5. Tickets are $35, which buys attendees a chance to taste five 8 oz. pours of five different, locally-crafted beers from Yellow Springs Brewery, Warped Wing Brewing Company, Toxic Brew Company, The Dayton Beer Company and Star City Brewing Company. The restaurant will have large paella pans set up on the new patio dishing out helpings. Guests will also be able to take home a complimentary tasting glass. If you don't buy a ticket, there are always fresh-squeezed margaritas and exciting food options to celebrate the day.
ELSA’S LOCATIONS
Elsa’s Kettering Sports Grill — 1216 E. Stroop Road, Dayton, Ohio
(937) 294-9210
Elsa’s East — 3618 Linden Ave., Dayton
(937) 252-9635
Elsa’s South — 6318 Far Hills Ave., Dayton
(937) 439-3897
Elsa’s on the Border — 1227 Wilmington Ave., Dayton
(937) 938-7372
Why it rates: Two words — Bad Juan. An aptly named margarita that becomes exponentially badder with each one ordered. The restaurant's famous margarita is the one menu item that makes it worth the trip. The food's fine, but this is a mean cocktail that makes everything you will eat for the next hour or two taste better.
TACO LOCO
5392 Burkhardt Road, Riverside
(937) 254-6645
Why it rates: First of all the price is right. Secondly it's delicious. It doesn't look like much, but the food that awaits hungry diners inside of Taco Loco is tasty, authentic, delicious and worth checking out. The corn tacos piled with your choice of meat are authentic served up with cilantro, onions and lime and are reminiscent of California street food.
TAQUERIA MIXTECA
1609 E. Third St., Dayton
(937) 258-2654
2190 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood
937-529-7535
Why it rates: Like Taco Loco, Taqueria Mixteca is inexpensive and tasty. The large burrito for $6.49 is large enough to feed two with leftovers, the authentic tacos are absolutely delicious and the guacamole ($2.99) is some of the best in town and an incredibly generous helping for the price. Honestly, this is a go-to place that almost never lets me down.
Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Share your menu updates, special dinners and events, news about new chefs, interesting new dishes and food adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.
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