Guadalajara Mexican – Briarcliff Manor

Great atmosphere.  Fine food.

Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant in Briarcliff Manor has become a standard for Mexican food in the area. They offer up all the classics you’d expect plus some other authentic dishes that I’d have a hard time pronouncing. (I assume authentic because I don’t see them elsewhere.  Maybe I need to go to Mexico and eat with someone’s Grandma.) 

The Bar at Guadalajara:

The bar at Guadalajara is small, with an area for standing around, probably while you’re waiting for your table. Guadalajara is popular, and it can get busy, so be prepared to have a margarita while you wait or maybe a sangria and one of my favs, a Dos Equis Amber.  One of my favs.  Oh look, that’s what I did…

And here’s the bar where you’ll likely wait on a Friday or Saturday evening…

You’ll note it isn’t all that busy on this night.  I went on a rainy Wednesday night, and it was on the latter side, so no waiting at the bar was necessary.  There were a few patrons dining but not a lot.  The decor in Guadlajara is very nice, and again I’ll say authentic, but not like I know any better.  It wasn’t cheesy like some places with sombreros and pinatas all over.  It looked like something out of an old Clint Eastwood movie but before the shootouts started. What do I know? I’m just a gringo looking for some good fajitas.

The Food:

We did in fact have steak fajitas and the Tres Amigos Enchiladas. Both were tasty, but not the best, and the prices were higher than other Mexican places.  I’d also say that the plate wasn’t as full as some other places though I still took some home. 

The cost:

What got me, though, was that there was no chips and salsa served gratis.  Free chips and salsa have become something of a staple at many Mexican restaurants.  It’s listed on the menu at $9.  I can get a full bag of chips and a whole jar of salsa for less than that.  For something that takes little to no effort, that’s pricey.  That’s like beer markup prices.  No thanks.

The steak fajitas were two dollars more than Maya Riviera in Briarcliff which isn’t far away. So, in the end, I guess you’re paying for the atmosphere, which is great. Until Clint walks in and the shooting starts.

The menu so you can judge for yourself:

My check was $107 for two, after tip.  That was two beers, one sangria, and two dinners.  The same at Maya’s will be about $85 and in my opinion, Maya’s fajitas are a bit more tasty.  Next time I’m craving some tacos, I’ll head over to State Road in Briarcliff for free chips and salsa and refills for the asking.

Other Amenities and Considerations:

Well, there is free parking and the red sangria was very good.  Service was perfectly fine.

There is covered outdoor dining in the warmer months.

I liked this painting. I can definitely see Clint sitting back against the wall. Head down. Dingy saddle blanket over him covering his gun which is about to make holes in the bad guys.

No chips and salsa?  AY CARAMBA!  Clint is coming for your chips and salsa and he’s not paying!

Cons

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