2010 - Best Mexican Restaurant

Readers’ Pick:

Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen

Multiple locations

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Rating: -71 (from 203 votes)

Readers went with Macayo’s this year, and our guess is that’s because it serves the Mexican equivalent of comfort food. There’s no weirdness going on — just the kind of Mexican food most Americans grew up eating — and that accessibility, coupled with the accessibility of its multiple locations, is a sure appeal. Ricardo’s is a close second.

Our Pick:

Dona Maria

910 Las Vegas Blvd. South 3205 N. Tenaya Way

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Rating: +9 (from 117 votes)

We love Dona Maria for a lot of things, but first and foremost for the tamales, which have a light casing and savory fillings. They are, you might say, both real and spectacular. But we also love the other Mexican specialties served at Dona Maria, plus the kick-your-butt margaritas and the sometimes-raucous audiences for televised futbol games.

Guest Pick:

Kyle Busch, Nascar Driver; Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen, 4457 W. Charleston Blvd.

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Rating: -46 (from 88 votes)

Kyle Busch won 20 NASCAR races last year and more than $33 million for his teams. He certainly could afford to eat in the swankiest, most expensive restaurants in town.

But when the Las Vegas native and Durango High School grad returns to his hometown, he prefers the family style of the Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen that is less than a couple of miles from where he grew up.

“Their food has one of those tastes that you remember and want to go back for,” says Busch, 24, who recalls eating there from the time he was 6.

“It’s just good, hole-in-the-wall Mexican food. I’m not saying it’s a hole-in-the-wall, it’s just that the food isn’t too fancy,” says Busch, who now lives in Concord, N.C.

He still prefers Macayo’s chicken and cheese enchilada, and “TCTs” — toasted cheese tortillas.

8 Responses

lvbabe702 wrote on May 13, 2010 at 7:56 am:

Viva, Lindo, Bonito Michoacan restaurants are far better than any other Mexican restaurant. Their original restaurant has been through a fire and they remodeled it and it’s still thriving with customers. Their dishes are fantastic and their margaritas are unlike any other place I know. The servers are very kind and fun.

Lvep3 wrote on July 11, 2010 at 1:59 pm:

If you guys would like some excellent mexican food try Casa Don Juan. The food is by far better than many of the other restaurants in town. Just coming from Mexico I have found this place to be the most authentic and affordable.

belibtn wrote on September 6, 2010 at 10:44 am:

OMG! Not again….. just shows you people in Las Vegas know nothing of what “real” Mexican Food is truly like. Macayo’s is NOT authentic and it’s been bastardized to suit American tastes. NOT GOOD AT ALL…..

belibtn wrote on September 6, 2010 at 10:46 am:

Ooops! forgot to mention Dona Maria’s….. best tamales? You’ve got to be kidding? This is american/mexican food and that’s being kind…..

diningdivas wrote on January 20, 2011 at 7:37 pm:

I’ve been going to Lindo Michoacan for the past 15 years. South it out when I forst moved here and have tried the rest. no one is better when it comes to Mexican seafood, bar none! I love the service and my favorite location is in Green Valley Ranch- La Loma. Superb!

klutzenberger702 wrote on January 24, 2011 at 11:44 pm:

Local to Las Vegas: Zabas is the best!

702sunshine wrote on January 27, 2011 at 10:26 am:

CARLITOS all the way. Best red and green chili. OF course being from NM I am a little biased.

Hdurangirl wrote on February 18, 2011 at 9:28 am:

El Burrito Mexican Restaurant located in Summerlin is without a doubt the all around best Mexican food Vegas has to offer. The atmosphere makes you feel like you’re at home, and the food is delicious!!

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