If you still haven’t tried the grub at La Carreta, stop reading and go there. Seriously. No local Mexican restaurant’s food is this good. With locations in Nashua and Manchester, I brought my out-of-town cousin to the Nashua location the other night, and although the bartender pretended we didn’t exist while we waited for a table, we were fortunate enough to be seated within 10 minutes. Our smile-less waiter was at least attentive, and the food was flawless. The complimentary tortilla chips were perfectly warm and salty, and the salsa had just the right amount of spice. Of course, we got some guacamole as an appetizer because you cannot visit La Carreta and not have their guacamole. Made with big, fresh cilantro leaves and the freshest, creamiest avocados on the East Coast (I’ll bet on it), the guac was an ideal accompaniment to my original margarita on the rocks. For dinner, I ordered the veggie fajitas, which came with two warm tortillas, an army’s worth of perfectly cooked veggies, refried beans, sour cream, and more guac. I also got a side of rice, which was cooked to the ideal “fluffiness” that even the most experienced chefs try to achieve. Overall, it was a great meal, despite the OK service. Which local Mexican spot is your favorite, and why?

Manchester’s got another new Mexican restaurant, but this time with a more authentic twist. Empanadas, at 168 Amory Street, is serving up traditional Mexican eats, as well as some popular Spanish fare. The eatery is take-out only, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The cultured joint is cooking up the usual fajitas, nachos and tacos, but will also be treating locals to more Spanish-inspired meals, like their empanadas (hence the name of the place), which are pastries filled with cheese, meat and/or veggies). Pasteles, stuffed meat pastries wrapped in masa (made of green bananas, plantains, and yautia root), also grace the menu. Not authentic enough for you? Empanadas also serves paella on Fridays, and even has dessert empanadas, like the Cherry-filled and the Cinnamon Apple Tart Empanada. For your convenience, visit their website to place your order.

Margarita’s may not serve true, authentic Mexican fare, but their food is nonetheless delicious. Lucky for Marg fans like myself, the local chain has a new Fiesta Zone Menu, served in the bar from 4-6 p.m. and then again after 9 p.m. for a limited time. The Market Burger smothered in chipotle mayo, lettuce and pickled jalapenos is just one item to grace the menu at the tiny price of $5.99, as well as the Island Baby Chimis for $4.99, which are packed with shrimp, pineapple salsa and cream cheese. Sounds like summer deep fried and coated in Mexican flavors - I like it. Oh, and who needs the drive-thru anymore when you can get their new Street Tacos for 99 cents each, with your choice of chicken, pork, ground beef or steak? Wash it all down with one of their new margarita flavors, like the Icy Spicy Margarita, made with habenero and chipotle flavors. Only catch: you have to be 21 or older (or accompanied by an adult) if you want to enjoy these specials, and you must dine-in.

I realize I just blogged about the opening of Amigo’s in Merrimack, and my excitement about it. However, after my dining experience there last night, I must warn all of you to beware - after all, that is my job. I have good news and bad news when it comes to Amigo’s. I will start with the good news: my pulled pork chimichanga entree was delicious, and will still be featured in next month’s 5&Dine. The complimentary chips and salsa were also really fresh and full of flavor, and my berry passion margarita was strong, yet drinkable. The bad news? The two friends I brought with me never got to eat, and here’s why: both friends ordered the enchiladas with ranchero sauce. However, according to Amigo’s, ranchero sauce is chunky marinara sauce. Not sure if the cook confused enchiladas with manicotti, but my friends found the enchiladas to be next to inedible. The waitress kindly took their plates back and let them order new dishes, which prompted the cook to come to our table and let my friends know there orders would be pushed to the lowest priority in the kitchen. One and a half hours later, my chimichanga long gone and all of us three more drinks deep, my friends told the waitress to forget their order and they left full of free chips and beer. The waitress was apologetic, and the manager took everything off the bill that wasn’t brought to the table, but the manager never bothered to come over to us to apologize or explain. In the midst of a recession, I would think a restaurant with a new location would be taking the necessary steps to make their customers happy. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case at Amigo’s last night.