Mexican Food on the West Side - Taqueria del Sol

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Location: West Midtown
Hours: Recommend checking their website as it varies
Price: $5 - $15
Type of Food: Mexican

Taqueria del Sol is an established favorite on the west side of Midtown, Atlanta's new booming hot spot for restaurants and interior design. Located off of Howell Mill near Georgia Tech, this Mexican restaurant rarely opens without a line of customers out the door. However, do not let this deter you as service is fast and seating is plentiful!

Front of the Restaurant

Once you make it indoors, grab a menu so you have plenty of time to choose a dish before you get to the counter. A few favorite are the fish or friend chicken tacos, and the brisket enchiladas. The restaurant also offers pitchers of margaritas and the option to build your own individual margarita.

An Assortment of Tacos w/Rice

Enchilada

While the food presentation is simple, the quality is excellent. My only recommendation would be making sure the restaurant is open before visiting as they are closed all day Sunday and Monday for dinner and their operating hours vary daily.

Mole, Margaritas, and Mexican - Zapata

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Location: Norcross
Hours: Weekdays: 11 am - 10 pm
           Saturdays:  12 pm - 11 pm
           Sundays: 12 pm - 9 pm
Price: $10-$15
Food Type: Mexican

Located in the heart of downtown Norcross is Zapata, a more traditional Mexican restaurant with a friendly staff and cheerful atmosphere. If you walk in during lunch you will be greeted by the owner or one of his many staff members. At this time, the restaurant is usually filled with local business people out for lunch or groups of women or retirees catching up. When you ask to be seated, keep in mind that hidden in the back, just past the restrooms is a beautiful wooden porch full of outdoor seating - a great option in the Spring or Fall.

Once seated you will quickly be greeted by chips and salsa. If you prefer your salsa to be spicy, I recommend asking them for some extra jalapenos to mix in as it is very mild. Next, while you munch, peruse the menu. My favorite item is the enchiladas. They come with your choice of either mole or salsa verde for sauce. The mole is a chocolate based sauce and is richer, while the salsa verde is often more refreshing. Both dishes come with a side of rice and beans.

Enchiladas with Mole Sauce

Enchiladas with Salsa Verde Sauce

 

 

 

If enchiladas are not a dish you enjoy, then try the Sopapillas or any of the steak dishes that are offered on the menu. Overall this is an excellent Mexican restaurant with great food a relaxed atmosphere.

A Spanish Villa, a Mural, and 99 cent Margaritas - Los Reyes

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Location: Kennesaw
Hours: Lunch & Dinner Time
Price: $5.00 - $10.00
Food Type: Mexican

Driving up to this restaurant you begin to think you are in a foreign country. On the outside Los Reyes looks like an giant Spanish villa with a fountain and patio out front and windows accented by shutters and colorful floral flower boxes. Upon entering the restaurant the first thing you will notice is the giant mural depicting an old Aztec myth. It is a beautiful piece of art that can be admired throughout your meal. 

Once you tire of staring at the wall, you can admire the starlit ceiling or the fact that customers are seated in what appears to be a courtyard.  

Unfortunately, while the atmosphere at Los Reyes is amazing, the food is only decent. Patrons are greeted with complimentary chips and salsa. For those who enjoy spice, the salsa has none, but if you enjoy mild salsa this is the place for you. For the main course I tried their enchilada and taco combo while a friend had their quesadilla rellena. Both were edible, but not extraordinary. While we did not order it, the dish that appeared to be the most popular and enjoyable throughout the restaurant was the Sizzling Fajitas.

Taco & Enchilada:

Quesadillas:

For those who enjoy a good alcoholic beverage with a meal, Los Reyes does have excellent margaritas. Once a week on either Tuesday or Thursday evenings they offer 99 cent margaritas. If drinking is not your cup of tea, but entertainment is there is a live mariachi band every Friday from 7 pm - 10 pm and Mexican dancers every Saturday from 7 pm - 9 pm. All in all, if you live near Los Reyes I would recommend trying it at least once, but if a commute is needed, venture to another Mexican restaurant.