I love Mexican food. In Frankfort the best one is La Fiesta aka "The Mexican Monkey". Hands down the best food and service. Plus having the BIG 32 ounce Dos Equis Amber Draft in the frosted mug is fantastic too.

 

Where is that at?

 

I used to go to a Mexican restaurant over by Western Hills.

 

It was Rio something or other. Had wooden cactus cut outs on the roof. I liked it.

 

It's Guadalahara now. Don't like it nearly as well.

Not sure it's a "category" but I would say the chain buffets - Golden Corral, Ryan's, etc.

 

Hogs at a trough.

 

Well said, hog trough is my name for the above mentioned restaurants. My father-in-law loves Golden Coral and insists we go there for his birthday. So I get dragged there against my will once a year. The salad bar is ok, but I am a fan of the soft serve ice cream!

 

There are some good chinese buffets. I like the chinese/japanese buffet in Alexandria Green shopping strip. They have a good selection, seems fresh, it's clean, and they'll prepare a plate fresh in front of you with your choice of fix ins. Casual Chinese in South Newport has the best Combo Fried Rice and Egg Rolls I've ever had. They've continued to impress for over 15 years!

 

I used to pummel the hog trough at Frischs Breakfast Bar but have since become more disciplined and order a #2 for half the price and a lot healthier in that I'm not eating three times the portion.

 

What are folks favorites for Mexican in NKY? I like Rio Grande and have enjoyed Montoyas in Ft. Mitchell as well.

Rio Grande and Montoyas are the two best in NKY...

I've actually been to a Mexican place in Louisville where the first bowl of chips and salsa was free, but after that you had to pay for it... Really? That's half the reason people go to Mexican restaurants.

 

Montoya's in Northern KY, which I like, charges for additional chips and salsa.

Camino Real in Florence was very good but closed down.

 

I love Mexican food.

Nooo! I grew up in an Italian neighborhood. There's a huge difference in Italian cooking. It is my favorite style of food.

 

There is very little good Italian in Cincy. Just not a hot bed of Italians to cook up what mama taught. Pompilio's is just ok, overrated by some.

I Enjoy Rio Grande in Newport. Good food, good prices, and good portions!

 

Agreed. Rio Grande is the Bomb!!! Authentic, Cheap, and Very Good.

 

There's really no need to go anywhere else just to spend more $$$, and probably not nearly as good. I've never been disappointed there, and I'm amazed at the portions, and the low prices.

 

I've been thinking for years that in warmer weather they have decent spacing outside for outdoor dining, but wondered why they haven't done it. Noticed this past summer that they started doing it. Good move.

 

They keep tons of people coming back with great food at great prices.

I find Mexican restaurants, Chinese carry out, and many Italians the same. Rio Grande is like the rest to me. Good but I don't go out of my way to go. Buffets are just not very good, although Belterra's was surprisingly good a few weeks ago. Japanese Hibachi's are getting the same also. The sauces make the difference to me at those. It is fun for the grandkids, though. I always have enough for leftovers there. I travel so much that eating out does become mundane for me. I have to go to unique places to really enjoy it any more. Don't get me wrong, many of these chains are good and convenient, but I don't look forward to them as much as I used to.

I've actually been to a Mexican place in Louisville where the first bowl of chips and salsa was free, but after that you had to pay for it... Really? That's half the reason people go to Mexican restaurants.

 

It is for me. If I attend one that charges for chips and salsa, that'll be my last time there.

I've rarely been to a Mexican Restaurant that didn't give free chips and salsa...homemade fresh salsa is a big point in the restaurants favor. Casa Grande in Somerset has really good homemade salsa!

 

Chain Buffets...I agree with most of what has been said with one exception...Golden Corral's Chocolate Pie alone is worth the trip!

 

Chinese...eat it once you've eaten it every place IMO, NOT A FAN of any of it!!!

 

Causal Dining restaurants: Chili's, Ruby Tuesday, TGIF, Applebees, Cheddars...ect... Most are pretty good with the one big exception being Ruby Tuesday,IMO poor quality, selection and over priced.

I find Mexican restaurants, Chinese carry out, and many Italians the same. Rio Grande is like the rest to me. Good but I don't go out of my way to go. Buffets are just not very good, although Belterra's was surprisingly good a few weeks ago. Japanese Hibachi's are getting the same also. The sauces make the difference to me at those. It is fun for the grandkids, though. I always have enough for leftovers there. I travel so much that eating out does become mundane for me. I have to go to unique places to really enjoy it any more. Don't get me wrong, many of these chains are good and convenient, but I don't look forward to them as much as I used to.

Another thumb's up for Belterra's buffet. The oysters on the half shell were a nice surprise. Wonder if they will feature something similar when River Downs reopens as Belterra Downs or whatever its new name is. Same company owns both.

IMO all the sandwich joints, outside the sorry excuse called Subway, are all basically the same. Decent meat, but not enough, and too much cheese. The only sandwich place I can rave over is Sandwich U in Morgantown, WV. Other than that, they all suck.

 

As far as Mexican food goes, there's definitely a difference. Not all places have the same fish tacos, chips and salsa, or fajitas. Nor do all places give me the same thing when I ask for "grilled jalapenos."

I'm with you Clyde, always seems to be the same.

Best Mexican hands down for me is in San Antonio. I love italian food

as well, but I think it lacks around the NKY area.

 

Buffet: I'll pass unless it's on an all inclusive vacation where I can find something

to pick at to get me by.

I love Mexican food. In Frankfort the best one is La Fiesta aka "The Mexican Monkey". Hands down the best food and service. Plus having the BIG 32 ounce Dos Equis Amber Draft in the frosted mug is fantastic too.

 

I will have to try it!