Mexican, Tex Mex, Southwest Food???

Hermit Cover · 03-07-2006, 09:28 PM

Where does one find a good plate of mexican food in the Lakes Region. Just read about live music at The Bad Moose....any comments or recommedations?

mcdude · 03-08-2006, 07:29 AM

Recently, Billy Costa from TV Diner did a Tex/Mex show and featured Las Pinatas in the old Laconia Train Station and gave it a two thumbs up. I keep waiting for the review to show up on the web page but it is under construction. Here are a few other reviews of the place. Has anyone been?

Las Pinata Reviews

Review from NH.com

and don't forget, NOTHIN' FANCY has reopened at Weirs Beach!

McD

GreensKeeper · 03-08-2006, 09:19 AM

I have dined there many times in the last 15 years and have always enjoy it. The place is small and friendly. The family that runs it came from Mexico and if memory serves me that had a family member come to the lakes region and enjoyed it so much they all decided to move here. I haven't been there for over a year but suspect it still they same quality. The only problem I have with it is that the portion size could be a little larger. Give it a try.

Pepper · 03-08-2006, 10:48 AM

I give Las Pinatas two very enthusiastic thumbs up!

We've been dining there for years, and love the food. It is NOT the tex-mex fare offered at places like Shorty's. This is authentic Mexican, made with fresh ingredients, and prepared with loving care. Indeed there may be less-expensive choices, but none compare in quality. Go check out the wonderful atmosphere, friendly service, and excellent offerings at Las Pinatas!

Woodsy · 03-08-2006, 11:23 AM

Ditto to what Pepper said...

Las Pinatas is really good... the Chili Rellenos is awesome! They just aren't inexpensive compared to your run of the mill Mexican joints.

Went there for lunch and the owner took the time to explain all of the differences between menu choices!

Woodsy

Weirs guy · 03-08-2006, 01:04 PM

Yeah, but over at nothing fancy, err, crazy gringos, or whatever it is now

, the foods also very good, and the bud drafts are $1.75!

Lin · 03-09-2006, 08:57 AM

I've eaten there several times, love the Mexican food. Very true to it's roots. Two thumbs up.

Hermit Cover · 04-22-2006, 09:20 PM

Several weeks ago while up at the lake we tried Las Pinatas and it was as recommended....the meal was great. The service was very good, and the food was authentic and plentiful. It will become a regular with Mrs. HC and me.

jetskier · 05-02-2006, 11:41 AM

Hi all,

This one is a bit down the road, but I thought that I would mention it. There is a restaurant in Concord, NH where we often stop to dine on the way to/from the lake. It has become our favorite Mexican restaurant; that is not to take anything away from the restaurants mentioned here. The name of the restaurant is Margarita's and it is located in Bicentenial Square.

Margarita's in Concord is located in the old police station and many of their tables are in the old holding cells. It is very cool; especially if you have children. The do keep the cell doors open.

The food is very good, especially when you consider that it is a chain.

Regards,
Jetskier

skisox24 · 05-02-2006, 07:05 PM

Since jetskier broadened the territory, let me introduce our favorite. It's called Margaritaville, and its located just north of North Conway, on Route 302. Its our favorite apres ski stop when we spend the day at Attitash. Get there early as it really fills up. Great menu and hearty drinks. A friendly staff as well. We are not avid tex mex, but have found this place to be very satisfying with a well rounded menu.

Heaven · 08-07-2006, 07:03 PM

I'm sorry to say we were very dissapointed by Las Pinatas. We arrived and were seated with the warm (probably) home made chips -- but the dip, arggg, exactly Hunts ground tomatoes from a can with tabasco -- that gave us something to really think about as we looked at the menu. The entrees were $16 (15.99) almost without exception, and I saw nothing remarkable or even a little unusual or interesting with reguard to the ingrediants for any of the entrees. We ended up sharing a plate of the house nachos, just to get an idea if we were missing something -- and then we left without ordering a full dinner.
I've eaten Mexican and Tex Mex in many places in the country -- I have to recommend highly Cafe Noche in Conway, before the traffic lights (almost across from the high school). Fresh made food with a variety of ingrediants, such as several fish/seafood choices cooked & served in an authentic manner

gravy boat · 08-08-2006, 07:54 PM

I've dined at LP in Laconia only a few times, but it's always been very good. Excellent service, fresh ingredients.

Nothin' Fancy is but a memory (and a fond one at that -- at least during it's first 10 years). We checked out the Crazy Gringo -- I liked the non-smoking environment (a nice change) and the owners were very nice. The menu is smaller than the original Fancy, but that's ok...I never went there for a huge meal anyway. The food was fresh, the drinks generous, the owners very nice and the staff friendly enough. And the Red Sox looked pretty good on the new large flat screen above the bar.

Gravy

The Big Kahuna · 11-20-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Ditto to what Pepper said...

Las Pinatas is really good... the Chili Rellenos is awesome! They just aren't inexpensive compared to your run of the mill Mexican joints.

Went there for lunch and the owner took the time to explain all of the differences between menu choices!

Woodsy

Las Pinatas is very good. If you don't like it is probably because you are use to Taco Bell! If that is the case, there is no drive up at the old train station.

Good by!

Mickomally · 11-30-2006, 01:26 AM

Theres a tex-mex place in Ashland called the Purple Armadillo.
I've never been (though I plan to).
Has anyone been there?

03-07-2006, 09:28 PM	#1
Hermit Cover Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hermit Cove Posts: 354 Thanks: 20 Thanked 68 Times in 40 Posts	Mexican, Tex Mex, Southwest Food??? Where does one find a good plate of mexican food in the Lakes Region. Just read about live music at The Bad Moose....any comments or recommedations?

03-08-2006, 07:29 AM	#2
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,361 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,044 Times in 490 Posts	Las Pinata Recently, Billy Costa from TV Diner did a Tex/Mex show and featured Las Pinatas in the old Laconia Train Station and gave it a two thumbs up. I keep waiting for the review to show up on the web page but it is under construction. Here are a few other reviews of the place. Has anyone been? Las Pinata Reviews Review from NH.com and don't forget, NOTHIN' FANCY has reopened at Weirs Beach! McD

03-08-2006, 10:48 AM	#4
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	I give Las Pinatas two very enthusiastic thumbs up! We've been dining there for years, and love the food. It is NOT the tex-mex fare offered at places like Shorty's. This is authentic Mexican, made with fresh ingredients, and prepared with loving care. Indeed there may be less-expensive choices, but none compare in quality. Go check out the wonderful atmosphere, friendly service, and excellent offerings at Las Pinatas! __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

03-08-2006, 11:23 AM	#5
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,949 Thanks: 80 Thanked 969 Times in 432 Posts	Ditto to what Pepper said... Las Pinatas is really good... the Chili Rellenos is awesome! They just aren't inexpensive compared to your run of the mill Mexican joints. Went there for lunch and the owner took the time to explain all of the differences between menu choices! Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

03-08-2006, 01:04 PM	#6
Weirs guy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Weirs Beach, NH Posts: 1,067 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yeah, but over at nothing fancy, err, crazy gringos, or whatever it is now , the foods also very good, and the bud drafts are $1.75! __________________ Is it bikeweek yet? Now?

03-08-2006, 09:19 AM	#3
GreensKeeper Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 18 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I have dined there many times in the last 15 years and have always enjoy it. The place is small and friendly. The family that runs it came from Mexico and if memory serves me that had a family member come to the lakes region and enjoyed it so much they all decided to move here. I haven't been there for over a year but suspect it still they same quality. The only problem I have with it is that the portion size could be a little larger. Give it a try.

03-09-2006, 08:57 AM	#7
Lin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Massachusetts & Moultonborough Posts: 673 Thanks: 41 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	I've eaten there several times, love the Mexican food. Very true to it's roots. Two thumbs up. __________________ Lin

04-22-2006, 09:20 PM	#8
Hermit Cover Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hermit Cove Posts: 354 Thanks: 20 Thanked 68 Times in 40 Posts	Thanks.... Several weeks ago while up at the lake we tried Las Pinatas and it was as recommended....the meal was great. The service was very good, and the food was authentic and plentiful. It will become a regular with Mrs. HC and me.

05-02-2006, 11:41 AM	#9
jetskier Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Reading, MA and South Down Shores Posts: 850 Thanks: 57 Thanked 183 Times in 114 Posts	A little off location....but Hi all, This one is a bit down the road, but I thought that I would mention it. There is a restaurant in Concord, NH where we often stop to dine on the way to/from the lake. It has become our favorite Mexican restaurant; that is not to take anything away from the restaurants mentioned here. The name of the restaurant is Margarita's and it is located in Bicentenial Square. Margarita's in Concord is located in the old police station and many of their tables are in the old holding cells. It is very cool; especially if you have children. The do keep the cell doors open. The food is very good, especially when you consider that it is a chain. Regards, Jetskier

05-02-2006, 07:05 PM	#10
skisox24 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 74 Thanks: 9 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Not quite in the lakes region Since jetskier broadened the territory, let me introduce our favorite. It's called Margaritaville, and its located just north of North Conway, on Route 302. Its our favorite apres ski stop when we spend the day at Attitash. Get there early as it really fills up. Great menu and hearty drinks. A friendly staff as well. We are not avid tex mex, but have found this place to be very satisfying with a well rounded menu.

08-07-2006, 07:03 PM	#11
Heaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 516 Thanks: 126 Thanked 94 Times in 66 Posts	I'm sorry to say we were very dissapointed by Las Pinatas. We arrived and were seated with the warm (probably) home made chips -- but the dip, arggg, exactly Hunts ground tomatoes from a can with tabasco -- that gave us something to really think about as we looked at the menu. The entrees were $16 (15.99) almost without exception, and I saw nothing remarkable or even a little unusual or interesting with reguard to the ingrediants for any of the entrees. We ended up sharing a plate of the house nachos, just to get an idea if we were missing something -- and then we left without ordering a full dinner. I've eaten Mexican and Tex Mex in many places in the country -- I have to recommend highly Cafe Noche in Conway, before the traffic lights (almost across from the high school). Fresh made food with a variety of ingrediants, such as several fish/seafood choices cooked & served in an authentic manner

08-08-2006, 07:54 PM	#12
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 582 Thanks: 580 Thanked 194 Times in 99 Posts	Mexican Food I've dined at LP in Laconia only a few times, but it's always been very good. Excellent service, fresh ingredients. Nothin' Fancy is but a memory (and a fond one at that -- at least during it's first 10 years). We checked out the Crazy Gringo -- I liked the non-smoking environment (a nice change) and the owners were very nice. The menu is smaller than the original Fancy, but that's ok...I never went there for a huge meal anyway. The food was fresh, the drinks generous, the owners very nice and the staff friendly enough. And the Red Sox looked pretty good on the new large flat screen above the bar. Gravy

11-30-2006, 01:26 AM	#14
Mickomally Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Purple Armadillo Theres a tex-mex place in Ashland called the Purple Armadillo. I've never been (though I plan to). Has anyone been there?