Old Mexico Restaurant & Cantina
| Address: | 357 Elmira Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA |
| Phone: | +1 607-379-6178 |
| Site: | oldmexicoithaca.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 12–11PM 12–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 27
JO
Joan Murphy
This is the worst mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at. The only good thing was the tortilla chips brought with the menus. The "salsa" served with them was a sauce of straight tomato sauce mixed with a little hot sauce. The beef taco was ground beef(unseasoned) in a taco shell served with shredded lettuce and a bland cheese. the chicken taco was shredded poached chicken (unseasoned) served with lettuce and a bland cheese melted over both. The enchilada was rolled up ground beef(unseasoned) served with the "salsa" poured over it with a sprinkling of the bland cheese melted over it. the refried beans came directly from a can and had the same bland cheese melted over it. There were no toppings served with any of this food. The final insult was the bill that came as a total with no itemization of what was ordered or the tax . Unless you remembered the price on what you ordered they could charge you anything. Service was quick and pleasant. Waiters and waitresses were not responsible for the lousy food. Viva has no competitor here!!
AN
Andy Guerriero
Still going through some opening-week growing pains as of 6/30, but the food is very good and I will definitely be going back to taste other things on the menu. Have some patience with them as they work out the kinks--the servers and management are definitely eager to please. Chips and salsa are fresh and nice, and several of the "classic" menu items we tried (burritos, tacos, chile relleno, chimichanga, tamale, beans & rice) are very nicely done and dramatically more authentic Mexican food than can be had anywhere else in Ithaca. Beats Viva by a mile. Full bar, plus bottle and draft beer. Ithaca Green Trail on tap along with some Mexican regulars.
JE
Jeff Werner
Update: Theyve updated their menu to add specific vegetarian *and* vegan recommendations. But, if youre a meat eater, the carnitas are *amazing* (delicious bits of slow-cooked pork, crispy on the outside and soft and fall-apart flaky on the inside). Weve eaten here three times so far. The carnitas were amazing! Reasonable prices. Easy-going but nice atmosphere. Service was great. And, although there arent many vegetarian dishes on the menu, they can happily make many great vegetarian dishes, just ask. Many menu items have tasty substitutions. I was sad when Garcias closed, but now that Old Mexico has opened, this is way better!
JO
Jonathan Hopper
Place was empty for a late lunch. The special was dollar tacos, but I got the Veggie Burrito. Absolutely stuffed with veggies and flavorful, thanks in part to some sweet charred onions. The salsa verde was amazing. The complimentary chips and salsa were tasty. Service was very good. Despite it being a quiet crowd, I never felt rushed or that our waitress was overbearing. Will go back!
LE
Leo Tohill
Ive dined here several times. The ambience is fine, suitable for families but also for dining alone or for a couple on a casual date. The chips and salsa are fine. I like the huevos rancheros very much, and i like that but there is a choice of corn (vs. wheat) tortillas. I must say that I find most of the other offerings rather uninspired and weakly seasoned, but not bad.
AM
Amanda G
Great food for a great price! You get all you can eat chips & AMAZING salsa! I got a huge plate fajitas with beef, chicken, & shrimp, Mexican rice, beans, & salad all for $8. Great service. Let us sit & talk for hrs Only complaint would be my moms salad had a lot of water in it. Maybe from beef or lettuce being rinsed?
KE
Kevin Sennett
Best Mexican Restaurant Around! The nachos are out of this world. Guacamole is fresh and delicious, refried beans have a great smoke flavor and the queso sauce is to die for. This restaurant is clean and the staff is friendly. Our new family favorite. I hope this local family restaurant is around for a long, long time.
SU
Susan Sarabasha
Restaurant is clean and well lit. Staff is friendly and helpful. They had mole and tamales! Tortilla chips were warm when served. Food was plentiful and very tasty. Plus they are not afraid to spice it up. Margarita was delicious. Prices are very reasonable. We will eat there again.
DA
Danielle Sondrol
Love Old Mexico! I grew up on good Southern Mexican restaurants and this is the closest you will find this far north. We always order the subpoenas for two and it ends up feeding our family of four with leftovers! Queso is amazing. The staff us super friendly!
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Isaiah Gutman
The food was slightly below average, but the service was horrid. It took 30 minutes and our inquiry for our waitress to notice that we had no water, and it took her another 10 to get it. The restaurant wasnt very busy, and yet we were there much too long.
AN
Andrea Hummel
Most authentic Mexican food (well, TexMex anyway) in Ithaca by far. Delicious margaritas (and very cheap on Margarita Mondays!) Huge portion sizes and decent prices. One of my favorite restaurants. My only regret is not being able to walk there haha.
JA
James DeRose
Love the atmosphere. The Diablo sauce is really good. I just havent found a burrito that is really good to go with the sauce. Viva, which is in the commons, has much better food but the atmosphere is more chaotic.
AS
Ashudeep Singh
Not many good vegetarian options, but many great traditional mexican dishes. But their guacamole is really good. They have a large seating area and very friendly staff. The only downside is the location.
MA
matthew meckley
The service and food is incredible. Jason is hands down the best server Ive ever had at a restaurant hes very polite and courteous. Definitely recommend coming here if you like authentic Mexican food.
RI
Richard Fu
The mexican flavor is really genuine. The price is reasonable and the potion is large enough for a teenager boy. Just mind you the burrito diablo is very very very spicy. Order this one carefully.
JA
Jay Fanara
Really really really excellent... Were big on Mexican cuisine. I can tell you with 100% certainty - this place is the real deal. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and tremendous food. 5 stars!
MI
Mike Darrah
Food is delicious but the margaritas are a bit meh. Would give 5 stars if they got the margaritas on track, still excellent option for family dinner. Take out is quick also.
RI
Rick Packard
The food was good I ordered a chicken quesadilla and it was mostly veggies and very little chicken which saw the down fall of the meal other wise everything was good
NI
Nick Tubbs
Good menu and beer. Dare I say more authentic than viva. Vegetarian options are slim though. Decent beer selection as well. Huevos rancheros are delicious!
IN
Invision Marketing Video Productions
Great dining experience with the family. Margaritas are awesome and my enchiladas were just the way I expected. Thanks Old Mexico for the great service.
BR
Brian Johnson
First time visiting. The food was very good, service was good, portions were generous. I love the ambience. I look forward to coming here again!
DA
Dakota Lowe
Amazing drinks, staff, and food. I love coming here with my friends from school and I always bring visitors when they come to town.
AD
Adam Munoz
Old Mexico is fair Mexican food for a town that is severely lacking in this department. I enjoy the Diablo burrito with chicken.
PE
Petra Cosgrove-Tremblay
If youre looking for very well made, casual, traditional Mexican, this is the best that Ive had since I stopped living in Texas.
AN
Anthony Jones
The burrito cochino will knock your socks off but everything here is pretty solid. Margaritas are great and priced even better.
JA
Jay Patel
If you are in Ithaca and looking for a good cheap mexican place, you found it. $2 beers and mixed drinks for happy hour.
NI
Nicholas Beyer
Such good food, really affordable too. Burrito Diablo was great, anything with the cheese sauce was delicious.
