El Tapatio Mexican Grill & Bar

Fantastic Mexican food. Arroz can pollo or any burrito is worth a try. There are several Mexican restaurants in Newport News, but this is my favorite, hands down. Happy hour margaritas are a good bet too.

I have been to El Tapatio several times, and have never been disappointed.

Pros: Great atmosphere, yummy authentic food (my husband is Mexican-American, and this has his seal of approval), great drinks, a huge menu, and reasonable prices. The manager always greets me with a smile and a kiss on the cheek, and shakes my husband's hand as we're walking in. It makes me feel like family.

Cons: I can't really think of any that are serious enough to mention. Their guacamole and ceviche are a bit on the too spicy side. We've ordered those in the past to share with our friends, and my husband is usually the only one able to eat more than a few bites. Oh, and people smoke right outside the front and side doors. Since there's an overhang, that's where most people hang out and smoke, and the smoke billows in any time the doors open, and you have to endure a wall of smoke as you're leaving. That sucks.

If you want to get smashed off of one margarita, you've found the right place. My oh my, their margaritas are good.

It's still weird walking into this place and not having everyone yell "DoBoy!", however, the restaurant, like the show, Cheers is dead and it has been replaced with this Mexican spot around the corner from Newport News' best attempt at a metropolitan, mixed-use draw, City Center.

It's hard in this day of Mexican-restaurants-on-every-corner to find something that is truly unique or stands out. The only differences they can typically employ is to offer some off-the-wall culinary masterpieces or an incredible happy hour of loud laughter and libations.

El Tapatio's leans toward the latter. The drinks here can truly dump you on your butt. I think my bartender's name in here one time was Strong Pour, V (get it, the Fifth?). Heck, they even punch up their lunch-time margarita, if you can take advantage of it and it's diminutive $2.95 price tag. I know they offer some Karaoke some nights, but I always forget the days to swing through and let loose these Velvety Vocals.

As for the food, the lunch and dinner specials are priced incredibly well. Getting a real meal for the price of a fast food combo is always a winner. The last three lunch specials were beefy enough in size that I had to take away a doggy bag in defeat. The same thing happened again today, when I partook in the burrito and taco lunch special. The taco and beans were a little bland, but I couldn't complain about the portions.

The service in this place has been hit or miss on the punctuality. Sometimes I am telling them to leave me alone so I can chew, other times, I am watching way too much of the infomercials on TV while my stomach yells "Come On!!!!!". Either way, they are always nice and courteous.

The food won't blow you away with some mix of secret herbs and spices, but I promise, you won't need a heavy pocket book to partake, which is good news around City Center. I know I will keep coming back.