Mexican Food (Providence, Warwick, Newport: appointed, neighborhood, income)

[Azaria]

I'm moving to Providence in less than 2 weeks from Texas, and would like suggestions on some good mexican food places. I've grown up mostly in Texas so my palate is Tex-Mex...not California Mexican...any tips? Thanks!!

[Saltatrix]

Good luck- the whole region doesn't really know good Mexican of any style. Everything else, but no good Mexican food. Well- my ex from Tex, and I enjoyed a meal at Chilango's which has the best reviews in Providence and was quite good, but it's a fairly straightforward ride into a lower income neighborhood, certainly worth it- Veracruz family cooking. You may have to take the megabus to nyc just for a more upscale fix; or maybe there is good Mex in Boston, these days. You may have to switch your palate during your stay and establish a love for fried clams and chowder.

[Azaria]

Can't quite do that..I'm allergic to seafood! I found some nice places to eat while I visited Providence in July..just didn't manage to find a Mexican food place. I don't need upscale by any means..

[Saltatrix]

There's some Mexican in Newport too.

[Hollytree]

There's loads of mexican restaurants in RI!

Providence Mexican Restaurants | Urbanspoon

plus this one

http://www.resmexgaribaldi.com/Menu.html

and this one

http://www.elazteca.org/

[Azaria]

Thanks Hollytree!! I'll be sure to check them out!

[Rnrboy]

I resolutely agree with Saltatrix. There are Mexican restaurants in Rhode Island, but the ten or so I've been t are all AWFUL.

It is the strangest thing because every other cuisine you can think of is well represented here. Probably better-so than most places in fact. But the Mexican, well, New Englanders have no idea what good Mexican is. In fact, I have learned that the more a particular place is recommended - the worse it is bound to be! My wife and I have a running joke when we drive by a crowded Mexican restaurant. "That place is packed, it must be TERRIBLE!" Seriously, thee blandest, most pathetic excuse for Mexican food I've ever encountered.

When I visit my family back in Florida, I always be sure to load up on Mexican, because it's going to be slim pickins when I get back up North. (I used to think the same about BBQ, but Ribs And Company in Johnston changed my mind on that one!)

[Hollytree]

I don't know why that would be since they are run by Mexicans. Did all the bad cooks come to RI? I think El Azteca has perfectly good Texmex. Matter of taste I guess.

[Hoxsie454]

My family enjoyed a small Guatemalan restaurant way out Atwells Avenue, just beyond Academy Avenue. We ate there a couple times. The other diners were all Central Americans, and the waitresses spoke no English. Great food. Can't recall the name.

Our favourite Mexican restaurant is Rancho Chico which is in Plainville, Mass. about three miles north of Emerald Square on Rt.1. (But don't take 1A, you will bypass it!!) The restaurant is large, well appointed, clean, all well dressed Mexican waiters, offers perfect rollo pollo, fried ice cream, flan, Mexican beers and everything is fun there! We like it enough to drive to it from Warwick several times each year.