- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Aqui es Mexico
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
221 Carlton Rd#12
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 295-4748
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11 am - 9 pm
Fri 11 am - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
29 reviews for Aqui es Mexico
Review Highlights
-
"...is a great authentic salvadorian restaurant that serves..." In 5 reviews -
"Chorizo burrito is great as are the enchiladas." In 3 reviews -
"Its all delicious especially chorizo torta and fried yucca." In 3 reviews
Loading...
29 reviews in English
-
Review from Seio O.
Charlottesville, VA
9/10/2009
Wanted to come here after watching Top Chef Masters and seeing all these Mexican food that I have never seen before...
Very simple looking place from both outside and inside, kinda in the lil hidden part of Charlottesville, but food was great.
It was actually my first time eating Mexican food that is not taco or burritos, so I guess I wont really be a good judge here, but all I can say is i enjoyed the food.
Their fajitas was well spiced and had nice kick to it, but not too much.
I wanted to try different things so I ordered combination #3, which came with beef chimichanga, huarache of shrimp, and gordita of chicken... nothing really stood out, but all were good, not great.
Everything was pretty cheap too.
Def going back there to try more mexican food. -
Review from Jim M.
Lake Worth, FL
5/12/2012
We went here on cinco de mayo, wanting to try a Mexican restaurant in Charlottesville other than Guadalajara, Baja Bean, or Continental Divide. The food was good and reasonably priced, but no better than any other Mexican place. The service was poor. The waitress only came to take our orders and never checked up on us. Someone else had to give us the check.
We asked for a split check, and the women said that this was not possible. My friend who is also a waiter took our check over to the bar and they said, "sure we can split that, no problem." So I think the hosts were just being lazy. Overall, I'd rather try a different Mexican place than come here again. -
Review from Holly T.
Austin, TX
5/13/2012
I have to agree with the other posts here. I'm really indifferent about this place. Yeah, the service isn't great, but that could be cultural. Not sure where they're from though. I enjoyed the papusas and the margarita was great too. I had only ordered papusas from a Salvadorian place in Houston so I was excited to have them up in VA. I also enjoyed the chips and salsa. The tres leches cake at this place is not a tres leches cake. It is a white cake that has been refrigerated. I think they should start purchasing their tres leches cake from Harris Teeter (GREAT 3 leches at Harris Teeter, FYI).
-
Review from Melanie D.
Charlottesville, VA
4/15/2012
This place was so bad I'm not sure where to start. I realize from the reviews that this isn't only a Mexican restaurant, but the name suggests that it at least would have some Mexican food.
The two "salsas" that came with the homemade flour chips were in small containers normally reserved for salad dressing on the side and each were less than half full. One was a decent salsa verde and the other was hot sauce from a bottle.
I wanted something somewhat Mexican, so I ordered a chicken taco salad. If you took one leaf from a head of iceberg lettuce and chopped it up, you would have about two times the lettuce I had in my salad. It actually took me a minute or two to even find any lettuce. The chicken was of indeterminate origin and age with spongy edges like it had been warmed in a microwave a few times. The rice had a ffew peas and carrots that looked as though they had just been taken from a bag of frozen peas and carrots and tasted like it too. There were no green peppers in the salad, but it tasted as though there were. The taste can only be described as bizarre and unappealing.
Just shy of $15.00 later, I left the full salad minus about 3 bites and went elsewhere for some lunch. Save yourself the heartache and expense! -
Review from Quang N.
Bethesda, MD
3/18/2012
Service is good. However. The food was just ok. Nothing special.
-
Review from Steven L.
Charlottesville, VA
7/24/2011
visit on 7/22/2011
Sigh. I just don't think I'm gonna be able to find any real Mexican food in this town. It's unfortunate that Salvadorean and other Latin American dishes are mixed together with Mexican dishes and the restaurant is called "Here Is Mexico." It's not that the food was horrible, it was actually decent. It's just that it seems an awful lot like false advertising to me... I'm probably just being harsh and a bit grouchy cuz I haven't had a good taco or burrito in awhile... but still, if you're gonna claim that your restaurant "Is Mexico," you really should be serving real authentic Mexican food.
We ordered a chicken tinga burrito and an enchilada platter topped with mole. While the chicken tinga was pretty tasty and relatively tender, the burrito was mostly lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and a rather tasteless tortilla. The chicken was definitely not the prominent part of this burrito. The enchiladas were interesting... more like slightly dry hot pockets covered with a somewhat too smokey mole sauce. The refried beans were very disappointing; dry and salty.
It's too bad. I give the owners credit for operating a decent restaurant and providing friendly service. I just wish they had the authentic Mexican food to back up their restaurant name and the somewhat high prices. -
Review from A. M.
Charlottesville, VA
11/7/2011
I like the food here, but am irritated that there are often kids running around, making a lot of noise. I was at Aqui a few days ago and one of the owners/employees' kids was playing about three feet from our table with a train toy that was whistling and chugging loudly. It was nearly impossible for my friends and me to continue talking. It would have been appropriate for the restaurant employees to at least move the child away from our table, and toward one of the empty areas of the restaurant.
The food is good, but the atmosphere is hit or miss. Sometimes it will be a quiet evening out. Other times, it feels like a McDonald's playground. -
Review from Jim D.
2/21/2009
It took a bit of maneuvering, but after several turns here and there, I finally found Aqui es Mexico nestled at the end of a small little plaza on Carlton Rd. This place was hopping on a Friday night! There was not a single table available at 7pm and there was quite a line waiting forming at the door. By the way, I made a reservation for 7pm, but it really didn't seem like they were checking them. They were seating you as you came in, so go figure.
The place isn't much to look at, inside or out. It's decorated in a simple way with Mexican touches here and there. Seating was comfortable enough, given the tight quarters.
Can I tell ya this place is some cheap eats?! My friend and I had a very flavorful, tasty and good size dinner for two that totaled less than $23! Incredible deal. I had the beef chimichanga, chicken gordita and a shrimp huarache. All were decently sized and delicious. My friend had the pork with a spicy mole sauce that was just a tasty and with a definite kick!
The service was a bit sketchy unfortunately. They had a total of two waitresses covering the entire floor. There were two servers and a hostess helping out some but we found ourselves waiting at times for a bit longer than expected. I guess I can't be too surprised, given how busy they were.
Overall, the place is a great find. Delicious, authentic Mexican fare at a very inexpensive cost. Definitely worth visiting!! -
Review from Jes S.
San Francisco, CA
5/4/2008
I miss you. I miss you. I miss you Aqui es Mexico.
I am writing this review as a result of moving away from my beloved Aqui Es Mexico and not being able to find pupusa's in this new town. sniff.
really good food, very authentic and original too. not just the same menu you would find anywhere. I adore the chili relleno con fresca. Papi had a seafood soup with a whole fish in it crispy cooked and had his little tail sticking out of the bowl. it was really neat looking but also really good.
Fried yucca, pupusa's, spicey chicken wings, torta's, tacos, chimichangas. it's all good. (the only dish i wasn't really happy with was the nachos because i didn't like the type of cheese on it, it was like a queso)
The staff is very nice and quick. I have been here way too many times to count. It is definitely getting popular and will have a wait fri. or sat. night but they are expanding soon!
though i wish they'd expand to philadelphia. -
Review from Kristen H.
Washington Metro
11/22/2009
not impressed....much better Mexican food in Richmond at La Milpa on Hull St Rd. I guess if you're stuck in Cville, this is the best, but not my pick. Bland pupusas...that upset me. If you're gonna do a Salvadorian dish at a Mx restaurant, do it right. Anyhow, i had a chimichanga de lengua. It was okay. The meat was super tender and delish, so it was a great first experience eating beef tongue, in that sense.
As far as prices...ok, leaning on expensive side -
Review from Cassie T.
Philadelphia, PA
5/20/2008
Ahh, I love this place. If you're in the mood for Mexican food, skip Guadalajara and head to Aqui es Mexico, an authentic little hole in the wall!
The chips and salsa here are great, the chips are thicker than usual and the salsa is thiner but I like the combination it makes. The food is different from standard Mexican, but I've found that the dishes are lighter and have more interesting flavors. (for example the aqui es mexico fajitas! soo good) Everything I've had here has been delicious and the ingredients are fresh and quality. I also like the 'fruit water' that they have, I always get the Melon flavor. It's so refreshing! I love the nachos, and you will too if you like queso cheese. The thickness of the chips really holds up to the cheese and stays crunchy and delicious!
You have to try this place if you like Mexican food! -
Review from augin s.
Brooklyn, NY
4/26/2010
pros: There is an older woman who works here, and she is lovely. She's very helpful answering questions about orders, in a quiet sort of way. Oh, and she served us horchata. How can you be upset when a place has got horchata?
cons: I'm not convinced this place is better than El Puerto. The portions were on the smaller side, and I guess I had too much time to think about how Aqui isn't all that great after I had finished my meal much too quickly.
overall: Won't be coming back. Sorry. -
Review from James R.
Washington, DC
5/29/2011
Ud. tiene hambre? This is your best choice for Mexican food in the Cville area. Chorizo burrito is great as are the enchiladas. I would stay away from the margaritas though, they taste like they are made with a mix and are way too sugary.
-
Review from Dan L.
Charlottesville, VA
7/10/2011
Slow service. Fried and bland. Had taquitos dorados and two regular tacos (fried pork and chicken). Salsas were all watery.
-
Review from David H.
Whitesburg, KY
7/9/2011
Good food. Three types of dips for chips. Almost left when we saw the outside. Inside was nicely decorated and very clean. Would definitely recommend.
-
Review from Molly S.
Charlottesville, VA
1/22/2011
I'm from CA and so the search for Mexican food in Charlottesville has been on for a while. This place has delicious food! Not your typical tacqueria, but the Salvadorian twist adds a lot!
-
Review from Joanna P.
Charlottesville, VA
1/21/2011
We went around 7 on a friday night. The food was fine, deserving of many more stars than this. But the service? Awful. We sat for 15 minutes with nothing but water on the table, and not a server was seen in the entire dining room. There were parties with food on the table, but at least two other tables were looking around for someone who was working. After we ordered, we weren't even sure that we would be getting what we anticipated, there was lots of writing but little verbal or visual confirmation.
The food came out quick and was decent, but I'm not paying $10 for a margarita if I can't enjoy it over the screaming children. I'm sorry parents, please, a restaurant is not the place to grab your three year old by the arms and spin her until she shrieks.
I really wanted to like eating here. Everyone said that its the best in town. They may be right, but I'm never going back. -
Review from Kulture V.
Richmond, VA
12/7/2009
A bunch of Kulture's employees from Richmond came up to Charlottesville for a night on the town. We decided on Aqui es Mexico because of their reviews on Yelp. We were not disappointed. Definitely one of the best Mexican restaurants in Virginia! The food was authentic, the ingredients were fresh and the service was friendly. No problems with small portions either, Richmonders, we are experts on recognizing small servings! The servings were plentiful and there were plenty of leftovers.
-
Review from AL B.
Staunton, VA
7/1/2008
Happiness is remembering that you have Aqui es Mexico lefties in your fridge. But a greater happiness is dining there... ummmmm.
I've been there at least a dozen times and... wait. You're wondering why it's taken me so long to post my review. Well, honestly, just now when my brain whispered the above "happiness is" line in my ear, I logged on to update my review. But, i hadn't posted one!
I think i thought i posted a review so that i wouldn't think to post one knowing that i'd only thought i posted one and hadn't actually posted it... just thought i'd posted it. That's what I think. B/c if my admiration for Aqui es Mexico were made public, throngs of people would go and there'd be a long line at the door.
But it's time to share the good news. The more authentic dishes are the best (versus the average americanized dishes like burritos and deep-fried things).
-The enchiladas are full of quality meat and covered with delicious sauce. Verde is my favorite.
-The mole (choose the verde) comes with generous amounts of chicken and the sauce's spiciness threatens to kick your ass... but it doesn't because it loves you.
-The pupusas & their special dipping sauce are so cute & delicious that you'll toss aside your favorite childhood teddy bear & cuddle with a pupusa instead. They're THAT good!
-The fajita's don't come sizzling, but who needs theatrics when the portion is hearty? Meat, peppers and onions come piled high, artfully topped with a curly fried green onion. It looks gourmet and tastes fresh & delicious.
-The homemade tacos, though... oh, the tacos. My mouth is watering right now because they are so delicious... full of tender chicken and sprinkled with fresh veggies... the scent of cilantro fondles your smell buds as you take a bite of taco (tomatoes, onions, chicken and soft corn tortilla). And before you know it, you've given away a little piece of the heart in your stomach.
Heed this warning, people!: if you plan to take a date to Aqui es Mexico, do a dry run by yourself! I mean it! If you go in a virgin, the impact of this amazing food will distract you completely from your attractive companion. Don't underestimate the power of the taco... or fajita or mole. One bite will make you forget that there is anyone else in the room. And, if your date thinks you're ignoring her, you 2 will never mate and produce the wunderkind who will discover an alternate fuel source AND devise a way to make everyone in the entire world smart and loving AND invent a pill that makes everyone's feet smell like roses!
So, I shall be selfish no longer... Go! Now! Ride your bike! But you can also drive despite gas prices b/c the Aqui es Mexico is not expensive!! -
Review from JiaJia S.
10/5/2008
This is a great authentic salvadorian restaurant that serves deliciosas pupusas! Chips are fresh and crunchy and so far food has been delicious. The only downside is their drinks are not their forte. They don't have margaritas and their sangria was overpriced and ugh!
-
Review from Nancy L.
Carlsbad, CA
7/22/2009
Accurate name....the food was good and authentic, but not worth searching out. I couldn't even gather from the Charlottesville Yelpers that there was an interesting walking mall on 2nd Ave., and had to stumble upon it from the rear entrance of Urban Outfitters.
-
Review from John R.
Belvedere, CA
3/24/2008
Delicious and authentic. Small 'hole-in-the-wall' serves the most authentic and diverse Mexican (and Salvadorian) food in the area. The Green Mole was tangy and complex. Kids menu a plus! Not very expensive, and the service was quick.
-
Review from Scott L.
Charlottesville, VA
8/23/2010
Best fish tacos around, although I have had better papusas. Still a darn good meal in the michoacan style.
-
Review from Stephanie F.
Charlotte, NC
1/24/2010
I went there last night, for dinner, with my husband, who is from Puerto Rico and two of his friends (who are also Hispanic). While I'll agree that the food is much more authentic (it's Mexican/ El Salvadorian), and the menu was authentic. I was a little disappointed. The service was terrible-they forgot my husband's order, so he got his food 15 minutes after we did, and they couldn't mixed up the orders on everyone's tacos (despite the fact that everyone ordered in Spanish since they are native-speakers). I had the sandwich with Chorizo and it was actually bland. The sausage didn't have much spice or flavor and was only lukewarm. Our friend's food was actually cold. I would try it again, as it may have just been a bad night, but I was really disappointed.
-
Review from Lindsay M.
Charlottesville, VA
12/3/2009
Nice atmosphere but the food seemed just average.
-
Review from Jim H.
Charlottesville, VA
4/15/2010
Good home cooked Michoacan food. Attentive and respectful staff. Large portions at very reasonable prices, so come hungry.
-
Review from Jefferson R.
Richmond, VA
2/4/2011
Situated next to Charlottesville's tiniest parking lot, and not far down from a junk yard across the street, sits Aqui. Inside is clean, with very friendly service, and the best sit-down Mexican meal in town. Love the homemade chips, carne asada and carnitas, fish tacos.. the list goes on.
-
Review from Carrie H.
Charlottesville, VA
1/19/2009
Aqui es Mexico never disappoints. Its all delicious especially chorizo torta and fried yucca.
-
Review from J. R.
Philadelphia, PA
1/26/2010
I keep wanting to like this place but I always leave unsatisfied. The lack of vegetarian options is truly a sore spot for me.
