When I lived in the south, if it wasn’t for things like “my girlfriend’s opinion”, I would have eaten Mexican food for every meal. There’s a rumor that some people don’t like Mexican food; we in the Mexican community have a term for these mysterious (almost certainly mythological) creatures: idiotas. One problem I never had in the south: finding good Mexican. One problem I have in Corning: no Mexican restaurant seems to survive.
Garcia’s is the notable exception, but the closest location is Elmira Heights. I was surprised to hear that Garcia’s use to exist in Corning (Bridge Street area) before I moved here. I’m begging them, please return! Corning saw the attempts/failures of Sonora’s and To-To’s, two relatively decent (food-wise) Mexican restaurants that lacked a few key ingredients…[clear]
Why Corning’s Mexican Attempts Failed
- The atmosphere was horrible.
- Neither had a functional bar (one had a bar, but it closed at 9pm. Who finishes a margarita at 8:59pm and is like “OH that’s enough for the night” – NO ONE!).
- Don’t tell me the food was bad at either. I had favorites at both.
Garcia’s Does it Right
This is about the point in my argument where a friend points out that Garcia’s is located in a dilapidated bowling alley. If you’re the kind of weirdo that doesn’t think that’s awesome, I will point out that the interior is actually quite nice / recently redone. From the color scheme to the background music, Garcia’s knows what a Mexican Restaurant should feel like. Compare that to the Corning attempts at Mexican: slapped together tables, and a single Mexican dress splayed out on a random wall. Now, imagine a well decorated and cozy place on Market St with buy-one-get-one margaritas, a late-night bar, and some Mexican music (Yes, I realize I just turned all music listened to by Mexicans into a single genre. Shut up. No, you’re racist).
Authenticity? Peak in the kitchen at Garcia’s… what do you see?… Mexicans! Any questions?[clear]
My trick to ordering awesome Mexican food
This works for any situation where I find my whiteness impedes my ability to pick from an ethnic food menu.
- I never order the clichés (i.e. tacos, burritos, etc…)
- I always order something that:
- I haven’t tried
- I haven’t heard of
- I can’t pronounce
- All of the above
Option four is the most fun & successful option. Seriously… this works 100% of the time without fail. Unless you’re picky / annoying. In which case, go to Taco Bell, idiota.
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant | 22446 B Miracle Mile, Elmira Heights | 607-737-7695
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant | 401 East 14th St, Watkins Glen | 607-535-4531
Also available in Cortland, Ithaca, & Geneva
Myles Lasco
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Me, too. We need Mexican food…or at least I do!
PLEASE come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!