Mexican

photo At Abuleo's, the Sonora comes with a beef burrito - topped with chile con queso - a cheese enchilada and a tamale.

Lots of choices - and we're not just talking about the menu. Mexican restaurants are easy to find in Chattanooga and serve everything from simple fare to more upscale meals.

Abuelo's

2102 Hamilton Place Blvd.

855-7400

Found throughout the South and Midwest, Abuelo's takes Tex-Mex to a new level. Pescado Guerro, wood-grilled mahi-mahi with shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, spinach, roasted peppers and avocado in wine sauce, is a house specialty. But try the crab-stuffed poblano pepper with lobster sauce for a taste sensation. $$

Amigo

5450 Highway 153, 875-8049; 5874 Brainerd Road, 499-5435; 3805 Ringgold Road, 624-4345; and 1906 Dayton Blvd., 870-9928.

Great selection of Mexican favorites. Quick, friendly and reasonably priced, with servers who keep the hot chips and spicy salsa flowing. $

Cancun

1809 Broad St., 266-1461, and 7010 Lee Highway, 894-1942

Authentic Mexican fare. The parilla for three comes with five meats, including shrimp and chorizo. Selection of beers. $

Casa Amigos

1861 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe

706-406-2529

Menu includes Mexican items such as burritos, fajitas, chiles poblanos and queso, but also includes Hawaiian chicken, baked potatoes, chicken soup and shrimp cocktail. Accepts competitors' coupons and on Sundays, you can get 10 percent off with a church bulletin. $

Delia's Authentic Mexican Food

105 Porter St., Soddy-Daisy.

521-7145.

The menu is a blend of Tex-Mex standards, such as quesadillas and chimichangas, as well as more adventurous dishes, such as mojarra, a whole-fried tilapia. $

El Matador

2233 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe

706-861-4898

Mexican favorites in chicken, steak, pork, seafood or vegetarian varieties prepared in fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, quesadillas and nachos. The frozen margaritas get rave reviews. $

El Mercado

1800-A Rossville Ave. (Loose Cannon Gallery)

595-2030.

A pop-up restaurant with luxurious, upscale takes on traditional Mexican fare. Ceviche and chipotle griddle cake offer a tasty way to ease into entrees such as seared sea bass or pork tamales. BYOB friendly. $$$

El Meson

2204 Hamilton Place Blvd., 894-8726, and 248 Northgate Mall, 710-1201

Varied menu of south-of-the-border fare. Go on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a family brunch when kids eat free from 11 a.m. to noon. $

El Matate

5922 Hixson Pike, 842-1400; 9322 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, 332-3190; and 16952 Rankin Ave., Dunlap, Tenn., 423-949-6132

Enormous menu offers traditional Mexican favorites, sometimes with a twist. Friendly service and plenty of options from which to select. $

La Altena

314 W. Main St., 266-7595; 8644 East Brainerd Road, 893-9047; and 615 Commercial Lane, off Mountain Creek Road, 877-1447

South-of-the-border dishes often said to be the most authentic in town. Try washing down a torta with a tamarind soda or horchata. $

photo El Meson's south-of-the-border fare is available at locations near Hamilton Place and Northgate malls.

La Fiesta Mexican Grill

8523 Hixson Pike

843-1149

Mexican fare and more. The house specialty is fajitas, made with shrimp, beef or chicken. Steak taquitos are a favorite. $$

Las Margaritas

1101 Hixson Pike, 756-3332; 4604 Skyview Drive, 892-3065; and 3100 Cummings Highway, 825-0304

Mexican specialties include enchiladas, burritos and tacos. Great atmosphere for a big party. Margaritas naturally a specialty. $

Las Palmas

1331 W. Walnut Ave., Dalton, Ga.

706-529-8477

Tasty, fresh Mexican creations such as Fajitas Texanas, Fiesta Quesadilla and Hidalgo Chicken. Guacamole is made at the table. $

Mexi-Wings VII

5773 Brainerd Road

296-1073

Mexican and wings? Yes. Ginormous menu offers a variety of specials, New California Burritos, American dishes, vegetarian combinations, a la carte items, drinks and a kids menu. $

Moe's Southwest Grill

1820 Gunbarrel Road, 553-6930, and 5510 Highway 153, 875-8757

A great variety of create-your-own Tex-Mex favorites. Dieters, try the Close Talker Lite, made with organic tofu. A salsa bar and cold beer or frosty margarita complete the experience. $

Ovalle's Mexican Cafe

3210 Broad St.

485-3218

Don't expect the usual burritos and tacos at Ovalle's. This is more upscale Mexican food such as Chipotle Braised Short Ribs and Sopa Azteca with chicken, pasilla chile and avocado. $$

Poblanos

551 River St.

490-7911

Authentic, made-to-order Mexican dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Really hungry? Try the super burrito packed with your choice of meats and topped with melted queso and mango pico de gallo. $

Taqueria Jalisco

1634 Rossville Ave.

509-3430

A tiny, Southside taqueria offers quesadillas, sinchronizadas, burritos, tortas, tacos and more. Meat choices include pastor (marinated pork) and barbacoa (braised beef). Wash it down with a Mexican coke. $

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