Favorite Mexican Restaurant

[skyking]

We love Mexican food and typically visit a Mexican restaurant every week. I would appreciate comments on Mexican restaurants in or near The Villages. I know there are many and I'm sure we have missed a few.
Last night we went to Casa Agave in Wildwood accross from the CVS. The food was excellent and the waitress was very attentive and pleasant. We would recommend them.

[retiredguy123]

You should try La Palma on 441 in Leesburg, Fiesta Grande in Colony Plaza, Ay!Jalisco in Spanish Springs, and Brisas del Mar on 441 in Lady Lake. And, I hate to say it, but my favorite mexican restaurant is Taco Bell.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Ay! Jalisco is a good representation of western Mexican food. I get their single beef taco with rice and beans, usually. It's not ground chuck, it's more of a lightly seasoned beef stew with nice chunks of potato in it. The salsa roja is disappointing to my personal tastes, but it's authentic. The western Mexican salsa roja is more like a slightly spicy ketchup. But if you prefer a chunky blend to dip your chips into you could order a side of pico de gallo and mix a bit of salsa into it. I like the pico with a fork, and I like some on my taco as well.

Their pina colada wasn't all that great, I like the ones they make right in the Spanish Springs town square outdoor bar better.

[bagboy]

We like Fiesta Grande at Colony Center. A very friendly and professional staff. Great food, cold beverages, and a personable hands on owner.

[FenneyFanatic]

We like Los Magueyes in Wildwood.

[John_W]

Fiesta Grande at Colony Plaza on the right end of the shopping center. We eat there about once a month for the past 8 years. My favorite is the lunch steak fajitas and they are terrific. Ay! Jalisco on Main St in Spanish Springs is good as well, my favorite is lunch taco with rice.

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/3c/1a/8d/fiesta-grande-mexican.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZcvfTwnhv0/Uy8bujPXjFI/AAAAAAAAcE4/z_coTpnu_OM/s1600/TVayaliscoext_lzn.jpg

[600th Photo Sq]

We like Los Magueyes in Wildwood.

I agree

[biker1]

Damn, now the word is out and it will be harder to get a table.

I agree

[tophcfa]

Ay Jalisco in SS, great food at a very reasonable price. One of our three or four go to places that is golf cart accessable to get a great and consistent quality meal.

[B-flat]

Although it’s about 23 miles from Calumet Grove in the North end of the villages we have found Las Margaritas On SR 200 in Ocala to be our favorite.

Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (http://lasmargaritasocala.com/)

[Bosoxfan]

Ay Jalisco and Fiesta Grand both are excellent. Went to the one in Wildwood once..won't be going back. Taco Bell...that's a joke right?:

[Graspher]

Fiesta Grande has been our go to location (we agree with all that’s been said about it)....but we are starting to favor Naldo’s Mexican kitchen on Wedgewood lane.

Both are golf cart accessible.

[coffeebean]

Fiesta Grande has my favorite Fajitias of all time (only served at dinner time). It is called Fajitas Bruchetta. I always get the steak. OMG.....so delicious. These Fajitias do not come with the usual compliment of re-fried beans, salsa and tomatoes and shredded lettuce. This version of Fajitas has pineapple, green peppers, onions and the most delicious white cheese which melts on top.

Fiesta Grande has great Margaritas. I drink the classic one with lime and hubby gets the Strawberry Margarita. Both are the best we have had in The Villages.

[coffeebean]

I know this is about Mexican restaurants in The Villages area but.....my absolute favorite place for Mexican Food has to be Jose Tejas in Iselin, New Jersey.

The reason I mention this restaurant is because the only item on a Mexican restaurant menu I order is Steak Fajitas. Jose Tejas is the only Mexican restaurant I have ever been to which serves the steak in 1" wide X 4" long pieces of cooked medium (pink inside) flavorful marinated steak.

Does anyone know of a Mexican restaurant in this general vicinity that serves the steak for Fajitas as I described above? I will go there, I promise!

[PoolBrews]

Los Maguey's in Wildwood and Belleview is excellent. Food is great, they $1 taco Tuesday, and $1 Wednesday (Wildwood) Thursday (Belleview) enchilada night. Best happy hour anywhere in The Villages. Happy hour is all day every day. $1.25 for domestic pints, $1.75 for premium pints, and $3.99 for large margaritas.

El Toreo in Ocala is also excellent - some of the best food and salsa I've had anywhere.

Ay Jalisco has improved tremendously over the past 6 months - they were quite bland for a while, but apparently have new cook or cooks. The food is extremely good, and their salsa verde is the best in the area now - very tasty and the right amount of hot (and I like very hot!).

[champion6]

<snip> Went to the one in Wildwood once..won't be going back. <snip>The problem with this post is that there are two Mexican restaurants in Wildwood:
Casa Agave Mexican Grill, Wildwood Crossings
Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant, Wildwood Shopping Center

[l2ridehd]

I prefer Los Magueyas better, but you need to be aware that every year around this time there is about 6 weeks when it is awful. I asked about it once and it seems the chef takes a vacation back to someplace he calls home every year. And the food goes from great to terrible when he is gone. He is usually back around now. But don'e ever go in August.

[John_W]

The problem with this post is that there are two Mexican restaurants in Wildwood:
Casa Agave Mexican Grill, Wildwood Crossings
Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant, Wildwood Shopping Center

I was just about to post that info. The Casa Agave Mexican Grill is fairly new, it took over the space that was occupied by Beef O'Bray's next to Pizza Hut carry out. I've heard it was good, but for me to change from Fiesta Grande, it would have to be very good. The one in the Shopping Center near the post office is Los Magueyes and I believe the one Bosoxfan is referencing, and I agree with him 100%, went there once and will never go back. I ordered a taco and I pretty sure they used shredded roast beef instead of ground beef, it was awful.

Does anyone know of a Mexican restaurant in this general vicinity that serves the steak for Fajitas as I described above? I will go there, I promise!

You wouldn't be interested in Fiesta Grande, this photo was taken at Fiesta Grande. You have a cast iron plate filled with steak strips, peppers and onions still sizzling as it's placed on your table and a regular plate filled with the fixin's plus rice and beans, also sour cream which I have them leave off and three soft taco shells. I guess it's so popular on the lunch menu, I've seen the price go from $8.25, to $8.95 to now, it's $9.90, but still well worth it.

https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/b6zsyUfLxsbU0gJK0LkeqQ/348s.jpg

[coffeebean]

You wouldn't be interested in Fiesta Grande, this photo was taken at Fiesta Grande. You have a cast iron plate filled with steak strips, peppers and onions still sizzling as it's placed on your table and a regular plate filled with the fixin's plus rice and beans, also sour cream which I have them leave off and three soft taco shells. I guess it's so popular on the lunch menu, I've seen the price go from $8.25, to $8.95 to now, it's $9.90, but still well worth it.

https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/b6zsyUfLxsbU0gJK0LkeqQ/348s.jpg

Fiesta Grand is our go to Mexican Restaurant here in The Villages. I'm used to the thin steak strips but this restaurant will never surpass Jose Tejas in NJ because of the taste and the size of the steak strips.

[Chi-Town]

Casa Agave in Wildwood is my favorite. Naldo's is very good and handy by golf cart. Lazy Mac's Taco Shack has homemade Margaritas that are pretty darn authentic.

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[Carla B]

I prefer Los Magueyas better, but you need to be aware that every year around this time there is about 6 weeks when it is awful. I asked about it once and it seems the chef takes a vacation back to someplace he calls home every year. And the food goes from great to terrible when he is gone. He is usually back around now. But don'e ever go in August.

The last time we were there was the beginning of August, I think. Absolutely awful!

[Moonrunner]

Wildwood's Los Magueyes has it all. Happy atmosphere, great food (Their Molcajete and Camerones Los Magueyes are my faves). Fresh fresh fresh guac and superior values. Terrific waitstaff.

[crash]

We like Los Magueyes in Wildwood.

Agree and Casa Agave is good also. We eat there if it is taco night at Los Magueyes don’t like the crowd.

[xcaligirl]

Ay Jalisco in SS, great food at a very reasonable price. One of our three or four go to places that is golf cart accessable to get a great and consistent quality meal.
We also love it there. I've been ordering the burrito bowl, very good!

[xcaligirl]

We like the mocajete at Fiesta Grande and at El Ranchito. (I suggest to NOT ever order anything at El Ranchito with 'beef' since most dishes come with ground beef that is horrible!!).

[meridian5850]

We've been to many of the Mexican restaurants listed above. The two in Wildwood are just OK. Fiesta Grande is just OK. In my opinion the best tasting food, hands down, is LaPalma. Brisas del Mar II is just as good, but a bit pricier. A poster above mentioned Ay Jaslisco along with LaPalma and Brisas, so we'll have to try it.

[tfa4755]

I vote for Los Magueyes

[coastalnh]

Our 2 favorites are Las Brisas del Mar on 441 just south of 466, and San Jose's in Leesburg, on 27 just south of 44.

[burningman]

We also really liked Casa Agave

[Muddykatchen]

We like the one at Colony Plaza; don't care for the one in Spanish Springs. Haven't tried Casa Agave yet - thanks for the tip. Fiesta Grande at Colony has some great grilled chicken in their dishes, but I'll admit it's noisy as h*ll.

[BK001]

Casa Agave in Wildwood is my favorite. Naldo's is very good and handy by golf cart. Lazy Mac's Taco Shack has homemade Margaritas that are pretty darn authentic.

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By no means am I a Mexican food "aficionada" but I found the Chicken Fajitas and the refried beans at Nardos on 466 to be excellent. Of course a Margarita helps everything go down and whenever I say let's have Mexican DH says "you mean let's have a couple of Margaritas". (He's not wrong about that.) LOL

Edit: I see that I did not mention which restaurant the above was intended for -- NARDO's on 466 where the former Crisper's was located.

[NavyVet]

I actually am not a big Mexican food fan, but my spouse and friends are. I usually order a quesadilla or chicken soup and always ask for mild salsa. We have always liked Habaneros in Leesburg and the Grill at Colony Plaza. Their new favorite is Las Brisas Del Mar on 441, but don't order the chicken soup. It was a large entire boiled chicken leg (thigh and drumstick with bones) in a bowl of broth with rice. It was GROSS! Everything else is good. We will try the other places mentioned here.
Does anyone know the name of the new place that replaced Crispers/Habaneros in Southern Trace?

[caljeff]

I second the La Fiesta Opinion. My wife are regulars on Wednesdays before 1500 (3:00 PM) to get the lunch special. We consider that pricing to be a great deal.

[MikeC]

Hands down it is Fiesta Grande in Colony Plaza. Best margaritas anywhere, food is great and service is quick and friendly.

[champion6]

<snip> Does anyone know the name of the new place that replaced Crispers/Habaneros in Southern Trace?Naldo's Mexican Kitchen

[AzAuSenior]

My wife and I are new to The Villages. I grew up in Phoenix, Az which is Sonoran style Mexican fare. My favorite dishes are pork green chili burrito (burrito de chile verde con carne de cerdo) and cheese chili relleno (relleno de queso y chile). We are just starting to try Mexican restaurants in the area; but, Ay!Jalisco in Spanish Springs, and Brisas del Mar on 441 in Lady Lake are both very good as Mexican restaurants that I'm used to from Arizona.

[Buzinvest]

I have been to Casa Agave many times and its always been very good.

[eyc234]

Big difference between Tex-Mex and Mex-Mex. Not sure that any Mex-Mex is available in or near TV. Los Mayg in Wildwood is good but need to work on their hotsauce/salsa. Our vote would be for good is to go to Chuy's in Wesley Chapel or Gainesville. Best is what we make at home after 35 years in TX and Mexico.

[Topspinmo]

Big difference between Tex-Mex and Mex-Mex. Not sure that any Mex-Mex is available in or near TV. Los Mayg in Wildwood is good but need to work on their hotsauce/salsa. Our vote would be for good is to go to Chuy's in Wesley Chapel or Gainesville. Best is what we make at home after 35 years in TX and Mexico.

I have found no Tex-mex around this area. Orlando has couple, Abuelo’s in south Orlando close to Texas Tex-mex taste, depends on days and times Whether it really good or average? The best Mexican food for my taste’s was Romero’s in Omaha neb.

[JimJohnson]

Fiesta Grande in Colony Plaza. Best in the villages.

[Dmbluk]

My wife and I are new to The Villages. I grew up in Phoenix, Az which is Sonoran style Mexican fare. My favorite dishes are pork green chili burrito (burrito de chile verde con carne de cerdo) and cheese chili relleno (relleno de queso y chile). We are just starting to try Mexican restaurants in the area; but, Ay!Jalisco in Spanish Springs, and Brisas del Mar on 441 in Lady Lake are both very good as Mexican restaurants that I'm used to from Arizona.

Nothing here compares to the original Garcia's on 35th avenue in Phx. But there are some very good Mexican restaurants locally.

[Madelaine Amee]

I know NOTHING about Mexican food! Having said that, I like the food being served at the Mexican restaurant that replaced Crispers. It may not be authentic, but I like it!:icon_wink:

[New Englander]

I know NOTHING about Mexican food! Having said that, I like the food being served at the Mexican restaurant that replaced Crispers. It may not be authentic, but I like it!:icon_wink:

That's all that matters.

[bagboy]

For those who like Fiesta Grande in the Colony Center, as of now the owner plans an additional restaurant in Brownwood in 2020.

[John_W]

The man that owns Fiesta Grande knows about multiple units, I believe he owns three restaurants, Mt Dora is the next closest. I've been a regular for 8 years and the lunch Steak Fiestas are fantastic. I can only eat there about once or twice a month, it's too much food.

https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/b6zsyUfLxsbU0gJK0LkeqQ/348s.jpg

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/3c/1a/8d/fiesta-grande-mexican.jpg

[big guy]

Los Maguey's in Wildwood and Belleview is excellent. Food is great, they $1 taco Tuesday, and $1 Wednesday (Wildwood) Thursday (Belleview) enchilada night. Best happy hour anywhere in The Villages. Happy hour is all day every day. $1.25 for domestic pints, $1.75 for premium pints, and $3.99 for large margaritas.

El Toreo in Ocala is also excellent - some of the best food and salsa I've had anywhere.

Ay Jalisco has improved tremendously over the past 6 months - they were quite bland for a while, but apparently have new cook or cooks. The food is extremely good, and their salsa verde is the best in the area now - very tasty and the right amount of hot (and I like very hot!).

it does seem to come down to the cook for a restaurant to be successful. I grew up in south Texas and ate Mexican or Tex-Mex all the time. As I get older, I find I want Mexican food more often. Ay! Jalisco is my first choice. Naldo's in Southern Trace is my second choice and is very good but more expensive than Ay! Jalisco. Casa Agave is also very good 3rd choice but is the most
expensive of the 3.

[big guy]

Naldo's

[Carla B]

There is no great Tex-Mex food in The Villages. There, I said it, just like the Northeasterners claim there is no great pizza in The Villages.

[Carla B]

For those who like Fiesta Grande in the Colony Center, as of now the owner plans an additional restaurant in Brownwood in 2020.

I hope they find a way to damp down the sound level in Brownwood! It can be deafening in the Colony location.

[JackRussell]

Nos gusta a Brisas del Mar. Es my autentico!

[New Englander]

Nos gusta a Brisas del Mar. Es my autentico!

Y la comida es muy deliciosa.

[coffeebean]

Naldo's Mexican Kitchen

We had dinner at Naldo's Mexican Kitchen yesterday and give this restaurant two thumbs up. The place is adorable.....may not be authentic Mexican decor but it is very welcoming and so colorful.

As for the food.....we started with delicious hot chips and salsa. We also had the white cheso which was delicious.

Beef Fajitas was really good and the portion was very large. I usually can finish an order of Fajitas but had to take some home from Naldo's. Must say, though, the rice at Naldo's was not as flavorful as the rice at Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill in Colony Plaza. I usually like to pass on the rice but can never pass on the rice at Fiesta Grande. I left the rice at Naldo's.

The regular Margarita was delicious as was the Strawberry Margarita. I have always thought Fiestsa Grande has the best Margaritas in The Villages. Naldo's is on par with Fiesta Grande. We will be going back to Naldo's.

[Nucky]

Fiesta Grande is wonderful and Brisas del Mar is even more wonderfullerer! They are about equal food wise but the atmosphere at Brisas del Mar is mucho betterer! Ole! :clap2:

[ladybug2929]

Everyone already said some good ones around here, but if you're up in Gainesville, Linda Vista is delicious. Also, in Ocoee, the Ocoee Taco Company is a tiny little place with great tacos. My daughter in Windermere showed me that one.

[l2ridehd]

We went to Naldo's the other evening. I was not impressed. The salsa was from a jar and very mild. The fish taco's were extremely bland. The rice/chicken bowl was poor at best. The margarita's were very good. However they were twice as much as other places. So when I compare it to Las Maguyas in Wildwood, they will continue to be my go to place for Mexican food.

[JimJohnson]

Fiesta Grande at Colony Plaza Speak, cook and serve excellent Mexican food. Very authentic, and friendly.

[retiredguy123]

There will be new Taco Bell opening soon on 466A near the new Lowes. Good tacos. They actually have taco sauce, which most other mexican restaurants have never heard of. They think salsa is taco sauce.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

There will be new Taco Bell opening soon on 466A near the new Lowes. Good tacos. They actually have taco sauce, which most other mexican restaurants have never heard of. They think salsa is taco sauce.

That's because "taco sauce" is an American invention, and isn't part of Mexican cuisine. In Mexican cuisine there's hot sauce, salsa, and pico de gallo. Salsa IS the sauce typically put on tacos, when one chooses to put any sauce on it at all. The word itself, "salsa," is Spanish for "sauce." Only at American fast-food joints is this not true.

For another Mexican-style fast-ish foodery, I have tried Lazy Mac's Taco Shack inside the theatre at Sumter Landing. I had an empanada. It was very tasty, though I think next time I'll try the chicken - I think I'll like that better. They also have fresh pico that you can spoon out into a little paper cup - just enough for three forksfull. For me, one empanada and one little thing of pico is a perfect lunch. Very inexpensive too, under $4.

They have dollar beef tacos on Tuesdays. I haven't tried those but I definitely will next time I'm there on a Tuesday.

[bagboy]

Fiesta Grande at Colony Plaza Speak, cook and serve excellent Mexican food. Very authentic, and friendly.

There will be an additional Fiesta Grande at Brownwood in 2020. The address will be 3647 Kessel Rd. Pretty much across from 5 Guys. We'll try the new one when the time comes, but we really like the Colony location, food, and staff.

[Tomterrif]

La Palma has the blandest (yep that is a word) and tasteless food I have ever experienced... four of us went there for the first time and all had the same opinion....save your money unless you like eating with zero taste.. odd thing was none of us expressed our opinion until two days later because we did not want to impact the others evening

[johnadamsUSMC]

What about El Ranchito on 441? GREAT salsa, great service, and friendly servers. Happy hour all the time

[Tomterrif]

never been there... Fiesta Grande is rated higher but the seating is too crowded and the place is noisy... pretty good food though

[kcrazorbackfan]

never been there... Fiesta Grande is rated higher but the seating is too crowded and the place is noisy... pretty good food though

SIAP; Fiesta Grande has signed an agreement to build another one in Brownwood, opening in 2020.

[Bosoxfan]

The one in Wildwood Plaza ..Los Maguyes....not good

[Bosoxfan]

:yuck::rolleyes:Went to Taco Bell once in the late 80's ...spent 2 days on the throne. I don't think the use real meat

[PJOHNS2654]

The one in Wildwood Plaza ..Los Maguyes....not good

IMO the closes thing we have to real authentic Mexican food. :clap2:

[CWGUY]

IMO the closes thing we have to real authentic Mexican food. :clap2:

:icon_hungry: We lived in Mexico for 10 years and you are correct!!!! That said..... we like Naldos too. Not quite as good but closer. :ho:

[CWGUY]

:)

Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo

[sophie720]

Everything at Sayulita Taqueria is delicious.
Menu — Sayulita Taqueria (https://www.saytaco.com/menu-feed)

[mikemalloy]

Fiesta Grande has my favorite Fajitias of all time (only served at dinner time). It is called Fajitas Bruchetta. I always get the steak. OMG.....so delicious. These Fajitias do not come with the usual compliment of re-fried beans, salsa and tomatoes and shredded lettuce. This version of Fajitas has pineapple, green peppers, onions and the most delicious white cheese which melts on top.

Fiesta Grande has great Margaritas. I drink the classic one with lime and hubby gets the Strawberry Margarita. Both are the best we have had in The Villages.

How could you forget the bacon? The fajitas bruchetta is my favorite.

[mikemalloy]

SIAP; Fiesta Grande has signed an agreement to build another one in Brownwood, opening in 2020.

There's also one in Mt. Dora.

[simpkinp]

I agree on the fajitas bruschetta. My favorite

[coffeebean]

How could you forget the bacon? The fajitas bruchetta is my favorite.

OMG.....how could I forget the bacon??? Typical these days as I get older. LOL.

Everything is better with bacon and the Fajitas Bruchetta at Fiesta Grande has plenty of perfectly cooked crisp bacon. Soooooo good!!!

[crash]

IMO the closes thing we have to real authentic Mexican food. :clap2:

Agree 100%.

[TomOB]

La Hacienda, Ocala. 4185 W Highway 40, Ocala, FL 34482-4095. ... So authentic Mexican food, you nearly have to speak Spanish to order...

[starflyte1]

The one in Wildwood Plaza ..Los Maguyes....not good

I like it. In fact, just made reservations for 40 for lunch.

[golfing eagles]

Brisas Del Mar, by far:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[leftyf]

I feel that all Mexicans are pretty much the same as for the food, the service and atmosphere are the real difference.

[coffeebean]

Post #14 is my post when this thread was first started in early September 2019. I commented about Steak Fajitas and have been searching for the steak to be as good as my favorite restaurant in NJ. Well, I'm here to say I have found a restaurant right here in The Villages that is as good as that Mexican restaurant in NJ. The place is Miller's Ale House.

I started a thread about Miller's Steak Fajitas so I'm not going to repeat everything I said in that thread. I'm just going to say if you like Steak Fajitas, Miller's Ale House blows everyone out of the water with their Steak Fajitas!!!! What I realize now after visiting this thread again is that Miller's does not serve rice and refried beans with their Steak Fajitas. I didn't miss them, however.

[JSR22]

Post #14 is my post when this thread was first started in early September 2019. I commented about Steak Fajitas and have been searching for the steak to be as good as my favorite restaurant in NJ. Well, I'm here to say I have found a restaurant right here in The Villages that is as good as that Mexican restaurant in NJ. The place is Miller's Ale House.

I started a thread about Miller's Steak Fajitas so I'm not going to repeat everything I said in that thread. I'm just going to say if you like Steak Fajitas, Miller's Ale House blows everyone out of the water with their Steak Fajitas!!!! What I realize now after visiting this thread again is that Miller's does not serve rice and refried beans with their Steak Fajitas. I didn't miss them, however.
Works for me. I always order without beans or rice.
What part of NJ are you from?

[coffeebean]

Works for me. I always order without beans or rice.
What part of NJ are you from?

I lived in Middletown, NJ for 16 years. I'm originally from Long Island, NY.

I'm also glad Miller's does not include chips and salsa before the meal and I certainly can do without the rice and beans. It's a win win......better steak and less calories too.

[sunglow]

We like Fiesta Grande and also Naldos. Naldos has really good spicy tortilla soup. And love their outside dining.

Sorry if this is a duplicate message. I'm not sure how to post. But we like Naldos a lot. We love their outside dining and their spicy tortilla soup.