Jalisco

As all of us are big fans of food from south of the border, so we thought we'd check out a few places on the list; so far, we haven't gotten past the first: Jalisco! (Hint: Chef's name is Miguel. He is also the owner)

Located in Vienna's 4th District (Favoritenstraße 58), this little restaurant is a must for anyone looking for the real deal. Authentic is an understatement. We usually like to drop in right after 6PM, for Happy Hour (half price cocktails), which runs everyday.

The colorful and welcoming atmosphere is sure to remind you of your favorite Mexican restaurant. Don't be fooled by the place's location outside downtown, or the lackluster exterior: the food, cocktails, and atmosphere inside more than make up for a few minutes on the u-bahn.

If you're like me, perhaps you get stuck in a rut at Mexican restaurants, and are especially wedded to one dish. A friend from Texas recently put it bluntly, however: try everything on the menu--it's only going to be a slight variation of the same basic thing.

While I agree with that sentiment, I'll stick with the crunchy texture of Jalisco's deep-fried chicken flautas.

The claim on Mexican food is tentative at best -- they simply "Austrianize" a bit too much. HOwever, a few dishes are quite good and, until my last visit, they've traditionally had the best, freshest guacamole in the city. It's just a pity that they sometimes succumb to the Vienna plague of stale tortilla chips.

The back garden is a treasure in the 4th, and the service/owners are always very friendly.

Happy hour cocktails are a bargain and the margaritas are the second or third best in the city.

As far as "standard" Mexican restaurants, this place is the best. The only better ones are more casual: Tacos Lopez and Fresco Grill.

Serving speed is ++

The food is great, so are the prices. They have a huge outdoor area in the back.