One thing I am certain about is flavor content in food differs greatly from salt content. As a Latin woman who cooks regularly, I was greatly deceived by the reviews on this page, one lady said that she almost”cried “, Not at all! There’s No flavor in this food ! Super bland even the simple “spiny” chicken vegetable soup o el Chilate de pollo, was brought out lukewarm no spice came through, no herbs just a red color sauce , los taquitos de lengua- the meat wasn’t even seasoned, tossed with its own rendered fat lightly browned, no sauce of any kind, garnished just some chopped up cilantro ( if the meat would have been cooked with the cilantro and some garlic it would have produced more flavor, but it wasn’t). La Zarsuela de mariscos barely had any muscles or de promise variety of seafood, literally counted 2 shrimp, 4 very small scallops 6 small muscles and was grateful for the 1 lobster cut in half to be made out to be two pieces! No flavor in the rice, it seems like it was a box rice and not homemade.Please Do Not Be Fooled by the reviews on this page, they must have their friends leaving their reviews.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Nella Sanclemente
I ordered the steak & enchilada - got a steak (ordered medium) medium raw, hard & chewy - the enchilada was good i will say. The steak tho- aside from the wrong temperature tasted like NOTHING. It tasted like burnt char, not even salt or pepper (or any seasoning ?? It’s MEXICAN food. It’s suppose to be flavorful) the sauce on the enchilada & steak was also mediocre - no flavor. No spice no nothing. The rice and beans were goodDefinitely won’t order from here ever again (1st and last time)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Tomacawk
Don't bother if you have any experience with authentic latino
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Matthew Miller
Love it here. Great, fresh food. Service is quick, friendly and mostly competent. Great margaritas, etc. My go to dish is the veal castellana!! Give it a try but definitely cone here. I don't like Mexican food yet I still love coming here. Only one I'll eat at!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Keith Hitlin
Absolutely the best Mexican restaurant in Albany! We love going here often. Service in friendly and fast. Never had a bad meal here in 20+ years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lori R.
Stopped by El Mariachi on a Sunday for a late lunch/early dinner. We sat by the bar at the entrance (the restaurant is an odd shape so we did not see much of the rest of the restaurant. It was a bit quiet when we dined but I think it was due to the time of day. Started with beverages and the complimentary chips and salsa- which was tasty and fresh! We ordered the flautas and tamales with chicken (both dishes come with rice and beans). Let me tell you there was soo much food! You will be so full when you leave (and/or will have plenty to take home for later!). Both dishes were quite tasty, but I just felt there could be a little more flavor in the sauces included in the dishes (like a spicier sauce perhaps). We ended the meal with tres leches, which was the real star of the show. The dessert was so delicious- I would come back time and time again for this tres leches! The service was also excellent, the perfect amount of interaction you'd want from your server. Also, it's street parking but when we arrived it was super easy to find a spot. Overall, I enjoyed the food from el mariachi, and would like to return either with a bigger crowd or during a more lively time to see the restaurant in its prime. Definitely check it out for yourself!
Camellia Ostwald
Very very bland, one dish an enchilada that at wasn't baked and without the sauce. Both dishes came with rice that was mush and unseasoned black beans. Only bright side was it was fast.
Food: 2
Service: 4
Erik
Pretty much the same as any Mexican restaurant that isn't a chain. It was good, not great. No need to go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Stephan Edel
We had a party here and 35 folks has a great time.
Very intimate, (small) beautiful ambiance, food was ok, but the service was outstanding! Went with a coworker just to grab a bite, discovered it's definitely more of a date type atmosphere than a casual pop in and out situation. Food was good, but a little pricey for what it was. (Steak burrito was 95% rice with a couple of small steak pieces in it) Waiter was absolutely flawless. Highest of praises to him.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Fajitas, Guacamole and Salsa, Steak Burrito
El Mariachi offers a satisfying Mexican dining experience. The ambiance is casual, and the menu features classic dishes. I appreciated the friendly service. The portions were generous, providing good value.I don't recommend the goat taco personally. I've never had goat before, but it had a pretty bitter flavor.But overall this place is a solid choice for those craving authentic Mexican cuisine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
C T
Great authentic food and very good
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Steak Fajitas
R Myron
Great food, drinks and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Link
This place is great. Easily a top 3 capital area contender for best Mexican (with Casa Real and El Loco). Loved the thicc chips and salsa and all our plates were great and prices were very reasonable. Looking forward to coming back when it's warm enough to sit on the patio.
One thing I am certain about is flavor content in food differs greatly from salt content. As a Latin woman who cooks regularly, I was greatly deceived by the reviews on this page, one lady said that she almost”cried “, Not at all! There’s No flavor in this food ! Super bland even the simple “spiny” chicken vegetable soup o el Chilate de pollo, was brought out lukewarm no spice came through, no herbs just a red color sauce , los taquitos de lengua- the meat wasn’t even seasoned, tossed with its own rendered fat lightly browned, no sauce of any kind, garnished just some chopped up cilantro ( if the meat would have been cooked with the cilantro and some garlic it would have produced more flavor, but it wasn’t). La Zarsuela de mariscos barely had any muscles or de promise variety of seafood, literally counted 2 shrimp, 4 very small scallops 6 small muscles and was grateful for the 1 lobster cut in half to be made out to be two pieces! No flavor in the rice, it seems like it was a box rice and not homemade.Please Do Not Be Fooled by the reviews on this page, they must have their friends leaving their reviews.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I ordered the steak & enchilada - got a steak (ordered medium) medium raw, hard & chewy - the enchilada was good i will say. The steak tho- aside from the wrong temperature tasted like NOTHING. It tasted like burnt char, not even salt or pepper (or any seasoning ?? It’s MEXICAN food. It’s suppose to be flavorful) the sauce on the enchilada & steak was also mediocre - no flavor. No spice no nothing. The rice and beans were goodDefinitely won’t order from here ever again (1st and last time)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Don't bother if you have any experience with authentic latino
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Love it here. Great, fresh food. Service is quick, friendly and mostly competent. Great margaritas, etc. My go to dish is the veal castellana!! Give it a try but definitely cone here. I don't like Mexican food yet I still love coming here. Only one I'll eat at!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Absolutely the best Mexican restaurant in Albany! We love going here often. Service in friendly and fast. Never had a bad meal here in 20+ years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped by El Mariachi on a Sunday for a late lunch/early dinner. We sat by the bar at the entrance (the restaurant is an odd shape so we did not see much of the rest of the restaurant. It was a bit quiet when we dined but I think it was due to the time of day. Started with beverages and the complimentary chips and salsa- which was tasty and fresh! We ordered the flautas and tamales with chicken (both dishes come with rice and beans). Let me tell you there was soo much food! You will be so full when you leave (and/or will have plenty to take home for later!). Both dishes were quite tasty, but I just felt there could be a little more flavor in the sauces included in the dishes (like a spicier sauce perhaps). We ended the meal with tres leches, which was the real star of the show. The dessert was so delicious- I would come back time and time again for this tres leches! The service was also excellent, the perfect amount of interaction you'd want from your server. Also, it's street parking but when we arrived it was super easy to find a spot. Overall, I enjoyed the food from el mariachi, and would like to return either with a bigger crowd or during a more lively time to see the restaurant in its prime. Definitely check it out for yourself!
Very very bland, one dish an enchilada that at wasn't baked and without the sauce. Both dishes came with rice that was mush and unseasoned black beans. Only bright side was it was fast.
Food: 2
Service: 4
Pretty much the same as any Mexican restaurant that isn't a chain. It was good, not great. No need to go back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
We had a party here and 35 folks has a great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Pozole with Chicken Tostada, Chicken Fajitas, Veggie Fajita, Guacamole, Enchiladas
Very intimate, (small) beautiful ambiance, food was ok, but the service was outstanding! Went with a coworker just to grab a bite, discovered it's definitely more of a date type atmosphere than a casual pop in and out situation. Food was good, but a little pricey for what it was. (Steak burrito was 95% rice with a couple of small steak pieces in it) Waiter was absolutely flawless. Highest of praises to him.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Fajitas, Guacamole and Salsa, Steak Burrito
Restaurantji Recommends
Loved this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
El Mariachi offers a satisfying Mexican dining experience. The ambiance is casual, and the menu features classic dishes. I appreciated the friendly service. The portions were generous, providing good value.I don't recommend the goat taco personally. I've never had goat before, but it had a pretty bitter flavor.But overall this place is a solid choice for those craving authentic Mexican cuisine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great authentic food and very good
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Steak Fajitas
Great food, drinks and service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is great. Easily a top 3 capital area contender for best Mexican (with Casa Real and El Loco). Loved the thicc chips and salsa and all our plates were great and prices were very reasonable. Looking forward to coming back when it's warm enough to sit on the patio.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5