I think the menu is pretty extensive. I have been there 3 times, always good food, good service. There is nothing I would change.
(5)
Tracy B.
I have been to Mariachi's several times since their opening, and it has gone a little downhill. I have to agree with another reviewer about this restaurant having an identity crisis - I enjoy that it has an upscale feel to it, but the food is not as good as it used to be. If you are going to charge me an extra $4 for a dish I could get at another mexican restaurant, I expect it to be better. I ate there last night with a friend and it was the worst dining experience I have ever had there. First off, the restaurant was completely empty, which was bizarre because every other time I've been there it has been pretty full. They were having some kind of issue with their speaker system....there would be music playing, it would randomly get louder and softer, then it would just stop completely for 10 minutes of random silence. That made for an awkward dining experience. The chips were not warm, and the salsa was not as I had remembered it to be on previous visits. It was really bland; just a bunch of chopped up vegetables swimming in tomato juice. We each ordered the chicken fajitas, and for $15, they weren't that great. There are other places around that serve better fajitas for less money. Tortillas get soggy because they are served on the same plate as the sides, instead of being served in that little container that keeps them warm. The drinks and queso were good, but the rest left me feeling underwhelmed. Probably won't be going back any time soon.
(3)
jc t.
This place is like a more expensive taco bell with worse service. For a comparable burrito I would go down the road to 7/11 and microwave one for a buck. This has to be the worst "Mexican" food I have ever had. It's as if someone were playing a joke.
(1)
Ed W.
First time here, kept driving by and finally decided to give it a try glad we did. I had the Fajitas Trio and it was great. Did not have the normal "chain Resturant" spices on it. The chocolate mousse was also very good. Seemed to be home made.
(3)
Luisita S.
Overpriced "Mexican" food. What a rip-off. Watered down drinks. The one thing in its favor--plenty of parking. And service is friendly.
(1)
Meredith M.
I'm from Texas and this is the best Tex-Mex-style food I've found in Frederick by far. Atmosphere leaves a little to be desired - I'd prefer more Christmas lights and fewer white tablecloths - although the Mariachi band is a nice touch. In terms of the food, it's mildly seasoned but delicious. Chips and good house-made salsa flow freely. Fajitas and spinach enchiladas are very good, the ceviche is great. My daughter had the carne asada, which I thought wasn't quite as good but she liked it. Occasionally the food has been oversalted, but not lately. Margaritas come by the glass or the pitcher and are quite satisfactory (and if memory serves, very economical as well). They will sub out things without complaint and the service is always really friendly.
(5)
Lori M.
Pure bliss...that's how I felt about the spinach enchiladas. Made with cheese and fresh spinach and topped with a creamy spinach sauce and served with white rice, beans, and pico de gallo (not sure if I've spelled everything correctly), it was wonderful. It was a lunch special that also came with a garden salad and a beverage for $9.99 (there were also other entree choices available with the special).. I'm not usually a big fan of Mexican food, but I hope to return here. I'm hoping they make the spinach enchiladas a part of the regular menu. Vegetarians and non vegetarians will both enjoy this. Unlike the other review, I did not find the food salty (and I don't usually use much salt, so I would have noticed). It was also not spicy, which suited my taste--I guess you'd have to tell them to spice it up if that's what you like. The salsa served with chips was very good flavorwise, but runny, making it difficult to not make a mess. Other people I was with ordered different dishes and all seemed pleased. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(5)
Bill C.
A nice mix of kinda classy - while still being casual. A mix of Tex-Mex and Spanish foods. Been here many times and never had a bad meal. The service has been great. Simply - good food, good service, good price - I'll keep going back.
(4)
Belle M.
While my standard is high for good Mexican food (being from the S.F. Bay area and currently living in L.A.) I have to say I've never been to a place where all I could taste was salt in my food. I had the carne asada plate. Portions are huge but it fell short on the taste. My first bite was ok but as I took my second and third bite, it got saltier (the hot sauce could not even mask the taste). My friends who got the duck and the paella had the same complaint. The only thing that was tasty were the plantains. However, I would give them an extra star for friendly service and nice decor.
(2)
Lisa M.
Ordered carry-out - the Fiesta Chicken was DELICIOUS!! The chicken is So tender and juicy. I tried not to eat the tortilla, but it was so good with the rest of it, I gobbled it right up. I will have to try something else the next time. They are very pleasant when you come in, the atmosphere seems quite comfortable yet elegant at the same time.
(5)
M E.
We love to go this place for the fajitas, tortilla chips, drink specials and mariachi singers . We have tried numerous dishes and our favorite is the fajitas, but sometimes the food is not consistent in that it is often oversalted and not flavorful. The paella is not something that I would recommend, but the fajitas and jambalaya are pretty good. Service is good.
(3)
Patti M.
not sure why the great ratings on yelp, maybe i should have ordered one of the interesting seafood dishes. i ordered veggie fajitas, they were just ok, no real flavor, lots of veggies tho. chips/salsa....just ok. don't really want the Mariachi men singing at my table either, maybe if i had kids they would enjoy but i don't! i probably won't return.
(3)
Brian H.
I have been trying various Mexican restaurants in the area, and this one is now my favorite. The salsa and guacamole taste fresh and well seasoned. The beef is not ground beef and is well seasoned as is the chicken. They have homemade habanero salsa which is extremely hot and tasty. The chile relleno and tamales are quite tasty. Overall, I think this is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around and would highly recommend it. The service was very good as well.
(4)
Simone R.
Ok, my new fav place!! Great food, awesome service, atmosphere very sexy at night!! Rib eye fajiata are the bomb!! Chips are fresh and the food taste like your Grandma prepared!! Authentic Spanish cuisine!!
(5)
Katie F.
Ill be honest, when I think Mexican food I don't think "fine dining". I want good food in casual atmosphere where I can really enjoy a marg and little to mexican ditties. This place was an odd mix of not being any of these things. The place has white tablecloths and linens---but then you get a spiral plastic menu. Either go casual like the menu, or nice like the table styling--you can't be all things at once. The chips and salsa lacked any real appeal--the salsa tasted very vinegar like infact. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, and they were good--the spinach was certainly fresh. However the side were boring, bland black beans and white rice. So, while the service was great, this place suffers an identity crisis. If I were them I would go casual----make it more festive--that what most people want in a mexican place.
(3)
Arthur W.
Calling this a Mexican restaurant isn't "Kosher". It serves Spanish and Seafood dishes also. And they do it quite well. The House Margaritas are cheap, and they hit the spot. There's usually have discount certificates at restaurant.com
(4)
Karl M.
A somewhat upscale Spanish/Mexican place. The food and service have been excellent every time we've been here. Stand out items include the masitas and the seafood enchiladas. If looking for cheaper Mexican I also recommend the nearby El Ranchero.
(4)
Ted W.
Been there twice now. Chips were fresh one time and not hot the second time. Salsa appeared home made and was okay, but not exceptional. The place looks like it used to be a bar or strip club based on the layout (not that I frequent either). The well dressed tables clash with the rundown look of the low ceiling panels. I had the fish tacos and they were good, but not top tier. 2nd visit had shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada that were good. On first visit our waitress was apparently having some sort of personal issue and was virtually throwing things around and very pissy. 2nd visit was fine, different waitress.
(3)
Melissa M.
We moved to the East Coast from CA a few years ago and had a hard time finding good Mexican food in the area. Surprised to say that we are quite pleased with the selection and quality of the food here at Mariachi! We go on average once every two to three months -- great place for date night, or to take the kids. Might need reservations on a special day, as we tried to go on Valentine's and couldn't even get in the door! Good drinks, too!
(4)
Lisa F.
Don't waste your time. Stop at Taco Bell and save your money. The crispy taco's were soggy. It took 45 min to get our food and the order was wrong. The rice was like rice a roni
(1)
Eva W.
Our group ordered appetizers of Ceviche, Queso Fundo and Tamales. Ceviche dressing was good but the fish was "over cooked" meaning that it macerated too long so it was rubbery. The tamales were all sweet corn meal and had corn husks inside. The Queso Fundo was melted thick cheese with very flavorless chorizo. Entrees were equally unimpressive. There really wasn't much to like about the place except that our waiter was very friendly and served us well.
(1)
B C.
I was not impressed by this food at all. The rice tasted like Rice A Roni. If you want good Mexican food try Fajita Grande on 40. There's a reason Mariachis parking lot is ALWAYS empty.
(1)
Jeff K.
I frequent this place and I have yet to not enjoy the food and experience. I live in Hagerstown but yet still make the trip. Their Spinach Quesadilla are my favorite. Not sure what they do to make them so delicious but it's hard for me to order anything else (though I have) when I come here. I'm also a fan of their chips and salsa. If you're in the mood for great service and great food, I would highly recommend them.
(4)
Mary B.
We eat here quite a bit. It's HUGE and no one is ever in there, which we kind of like. Your food comes out fast, the staff couldn't be nicer and it's really good. I always try and get something different and I always like it. My hubby and I call this our go-to mexican place. Yum yum!
(4)
Jeff B.
This is probably the best Mexican restaurant, or at least in the top two or three, in Frederick. The food is fresh, the staff is exceptional, and the mood of the place is great. It's a restaurant you can go with a group of friends but can also take kids. It's a nice balance between family friendly and more grown-up. The portions are generous and the margaritas are probably the best in town. Highly recommended...
(5)
John B.
The steak I had was great! The staff was also very friendly. This was my first time here, but I am sure I will be back.
This is the best Mexican food in Maryland. I especially love the Chi Con Queso... So special it must have a secret ingredient! Bob
(5)
Andre B.
Some of the best Carne asada I have ever had in my life! Great variety. Staff was very nice and helpful. Good place for group dinner. Will go back when in the area!
(5)
Beata K.
Came here for Valentines day and it was somewhat of a zoo. The term "reservations" had no meaning what so ever and it seems as though the Hispanic folks got seated first as they could talk their way into it with the host. Aside from our reservations being ignored the place is pretty good. The menu is split between Mexican and Spanish food so we got the fried plantains, lomo saltado and fajitas. The fajitas (steak & chicken) were great an the lomo saltado was pretty good too but it was a tad salty. The restaurant is pretty big and had a nice atmosphere. Will definitely come back and try a few more items off the menu and will hopefully have a better experience in terms of being seated.
(3)
Bill C.
A nice mix of kinda classy - while still being casual. A mix of Tex-Mex and Spanish foods. Been here many times and never had a bad meal. The service has been great. Simply - good food, good service, good price - I'll keep going back.
(4)
Luisita S.
Overpriced "Mexican" food. What a rip-off. Watered down drinks. The one thing in its favor--plenty of parking. And service is friendly.
(1)
Melissa M.
We moved to the East Coast from CA a few years ago and had a hard time finding good Mexican food in the area. Surprised to say that we are quite pleased with the selection and quality of the food here at Mariachi! We go on average once every two to three months -- great place for date night, or to take the kids. Might need reservations on a special day, as we tried to go on Valentine's and couldn't even get in the door! Good drinks, too!
(4)
Steve B.
Good Mexican food, on the busier side of Frederick. The building that houses Mariachi has lived many lives. My older brother drank underage there, at the Gold Dust Inn. Many management changes later, I drank and danced there at the Rabbit's Foot, or several other names. At some point, I think it even featured male strippers. And now it's calmed down, turned the bar into an open kitchen, and turns out some pretty non-controversial Mexican food. We've visited three or four times, and they do a pretty good job on the food and service. The decor is above average as well, with some departures from the standard "I'm in a courtyard in old Mexico" look that you've seen so many times. Burritos, enchiladas, tamales, and the like have been good. The chile relleno (my favorite dish) is above average. Pretty good margaritas on the rocks. Our last visit, I happened to notice the dozens of baskets of tortilla chips, filled and ready to serve, piled high on shelves in several open storage rooms. That's an odd touch---not because they fill the baskets so far ahead of time, but because you can see the stockpiles. Maybe there's a better way to do this. Overall, another reasonable and satisfying fix for our craving for Mexican food.
(3)
Nic R.
The service was good, but the food was very disappointing. The wait staff was attentive, and the $2 draft beers were good, as was the fresh chips and salsa. Everything else about the food here just fell flat. This place obviously takes the cheap road when it comes to the food, the guacamole wasn't fresh, and the enchiladas and chili rellenos had the texture of a frozen microwave dinner from 7-11. Even the rice was an unnatural yellow with indiscriminate bits of veggie matter and tasted like something found in a box from the dollar store. The food here sucks, plain and simple. As for the mariachi of the namesake? They don't even get this right. It's more like square dancing music than what one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. Not worth it, stay away.
My 1st time there, will not go back. Chips and salsa were ok, salsa was very watery though I ordered the Seafood Paella and let me tell you, it was NOT good! I guess I should have known when i asked the waitress if it was made the same day and her reply: "oh, they make it fresh to order". Paella takes at least a couple hours to make, it cannot be made to order. I gave it a try anyways ... mistake. The rice in the dish was the same as the side dish rice served with most all other orders. The seafood in the dish was WAY overcooked - the shrimp and squid rubbery, the mussels were tough, the clam (single clam) was just mush and disgusting. There was also sand in the one of the mussels! Worst of all, it was so salty!!! WHY??? Lesson Learned: only order stuff that you know the kitchen has to make fresh, a dish like this is almost certainly gong to be "microwave magic'" or what you might expect from a cafeteria chow line. I gave 2 stars only because the chips were ok, and $2 draft beer during happy hour.
(2)
Justa D.
Food is good. Same as any of the other Mexican joints around. The margaritas are good. Nothing special, but good. No complaints.
(4)
Dawn R.
I stopped in for lunch while attending a conference in Frederick, opting to go out and find something other than the boxed lunch provided by the conference organizers. Looking back, I probably should have stayed at the conference center. Don't get me wrong.....the service was great (of course, I was the only one in the place), and the food was OK....but it was just that, OK. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, expecting something really nice and creamy/cheesy. What I got was a LOT of spinach, with very little flavor from the sauce. The beans were alright but nothing special, as was the rice. Their dessert list didn't have anything that really appealed to me, although the server insisted that their chocolate flan was amazing. Maybe if I tried something different, I would have liked it better, but the food I got really just didn't impress me that much.
(3)
Ledbetter A.
So I took some friends back to Mariachi tonight. I was definitely not disappointed. Great place. A must try in Frederick.
(5)
Rose B.
After finding this place on yelp, (it is a gem), I met a friend for an enjoyable evening and awesome meal. Fajitas and chimichanga's with complimentary salsa and chips... and an amazing fried ice cream. It was happy hour.. but we didnt add drinks, although the prices were right! Very child friendly with coloring pages and a SUPER nice wait staff. I will definitely be BACK!
(5)
Michael R.
OUTSTANDING!! This place is delicious! This is our second time coming here, and once again, everything was great. We are from California so we have a pretty high standard for Mexican food. Of course, nothing compares to California Mexican food, but this is pretty close. As far as east coast Mexican, 5STARS! I had the chihuahua platter...marvelous!! My wife had the beef enchiladas....delicious!!! The chips and salsa are on point and the habeñero salsa (by request) pretty hot and delicious for a restaurant. The service was excellent and the prices reasonable. Definitely recommend to all. Best Mexican/Spanish food in Frederick!!!
(5)
Jason C.
My wife and I love this place. It is always first on the list when we want Mexican food. She loves the seafood soup and I love the fajita trio. Staff is very friendly and they usually have a good beer special once a day. Usually a couple times a month stop for us.
(5)
Sheri W.
Day after Christmas lunch...fabulous! Great service, great food, great atmosphere!
(5)
David O.
Don't. The experience was generally disappointing. Salsa was awful. Clearly they had just added some pico de gallo to some canned tomato sauce and called it salsa. I had "Plato rojo" which was chile rellanos. It said 2 rellanos would be on the plate but it was one poblano halved and battered as individual rellanos. The poblano was tough because it was undercooked. I won't return.
(2)
Linda R.
First impression walking in the door...not a Mexican restaurant. Looked like it should be a 1950's cafeteria or a rented hall at a VFW. Decor, or lack there of was bland and very sterile looking. The white table cloths were so very out of place and didn't help. The Cadillac margarita was very good. Chips were good and the salsa was very fresh tasting but could have used some cilantro. I ordered the Carnitas...well that is what it was called. Not like any carnita I have ever ordered (although I am from the west coast). The pork was very greasy and tasteless. The black beans were okay, but nothing special. I was so very disappointed. We moved here a few months ago and this was the first poor meal that we have eaten in Frederick. I think we will stick to the downtown area where we have yet to go wrong.
(1)
Kimberly C.
My, my, my .................. I had high hopes of this place after reading some of the reviews. To be honest, my enchilada plate was not that bad (probably would have warranted 3 stars) BUT they seriously jacked up my plantains. How do you mess up plantains??????????? The were soggy, lacked the nice crisp edges, and soaked in oil. I tried to take them home and re-fry them, but they had been soaking in the oil too long and were just ruined. What a waste of $4! So, I ordered take out for lunch last week, and the chicken enchiladas were not bad, although I have had better. They did not have nearly enough sauce on them, the chicken was a little on the dry side, and I hated the beans. I would drive the extra miles and put up with the poor service from another reviewed restaurant on the other side of town before I come back here.
(2)
Jeff K.
I frequent this place and I have yet to not enjoy the food and experience. I live in Hagerstown but yet still make the trip. Their Spinach Quesadilla are my favorite. Not sure what they do to make them so delicious but it's hard for me to order anything else (though I have) when I come here. I'm also a fan of their chips and salsa. If you're in the mood for great service and great food, I would highly recommend them.
(4)
Sara S.
The service here was great. The tres leches cake was amazing!! Most of the food was good although generally over salted. However, stick with the Mexican food. We thought we'd try the paella - very wrong choice. It was horrible. I don't think it should even be called "paella". It should have been called "over-salted and yet still bland seafood over soupy Mahatma saffron rice packet". That said, the service was great. They did reconcile for the bad paella, then delivered that amazing dessert. I would go back again, but I think I'd get the enchiladas or the burrito!
(4)
Katie F.
Ill be honest, when I think Mexican food I don't think "fine dining". I want good food in casual atmosphere where I can really enjoy a marg and little to mexican ditties. This place was an odd mix of not being any of these things. The place has white tablecloths and linens---but then you get a spiral plastic menu. Either go casual like the menu, or nice like the table styling--you can't be all things at once. The chips and salsa lacked any real appeal--the salsa tasted very vinegar like infact. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, and they were good--the spinach was certainly fresh. However the side were boring, bland black beans and white rice. So, while the service was great, this place suffers an identity crisis. If I were them I would go casual----make it more festive--that what most people want in a mexican place.
(3)
Tracy B.
I have been to Mariachi's several times since their opening, and it has gone a little downhill. I have to agree with another reviewer about this restaurant having an identity crisis - I enjoy that it has an upscale feel to it, but the food is not as good as it used to be. If you are going to charge me an extra $4 for a dish I could get at another mexican restaurant, I expect it to be better. I ate there last night with a friend and it was the worst dining experience I have ever had there. First off, the restaurant was completely empty, which was bizarre because every other time I've been there it has been pretty full. They were having some kind of issue with their speaker system....there would be music playing, it would randomly get louder and softer, then it would just stop completely for 10 minutes of random silence. That made for an awkward dining experience. The chips were not warm, and the salsa was not as I had remembered it to be on previous visits. It was really bland; just a bunch of chopped up vegetables swimming in tomato juice. We each ordered the chicken fajitas, and for $15, they weren't that great. There are other places around that serve better fajitas for less money. Tortillas get soggy because they are served on the same plate as the sides, instead of being served in that little container that keeps them warm. The drinks and queso were good, but the rest left me feeling underwhelmed. Probably won't be going back any time soon.
(3)
jc t.
This place is like a more expensive taco bell with worse service. For a comparable burrito I would go down the road to 7/11 and microwave one for a buck. This has to be the worst "Mexican" food I have ever had. It's as if someone were playing a joke.
(1)
Ed W.
First time here, kept driving by and finally decided to give it a try glad we did. I had the Fajitas Trio and it was great. Did not have the normal "chain Resturant" spices on it. The chocolate mousse was also very good. Seemed to be home made.
(3)
Simone R.
Ok, my new fav place!! Great food, awesome service, atmosphere very sexy at night!! Rib eye fajiata are the bomb!! Chips are fresh and the food taste like your Grandma prepared!! Authentic Spanish cuisine!!
(5)
Mark G.
Maryland has a few good Mexican/latin american resturaunts. El Derado in Easton, Mangos Grill in Laurel, and now Meriachi's in Frederick. We have eaten in most of the highly praised establishments in MD and DC, and they are merely pretentious imitations. This place was a surprise. The margaritas are OK, but the food was quietly authentic, with sophisticated spices. If you have to, there is the TexMex, but I had a cuban styled pork dish, and others had a cerviche based salad. (Salsa needs help.) The plantains were prepared in a methods different from our cuban friend's method, but neverless excellent. The bill was also a surprise, given MD/DC. PLAN TO RETURN!
(4)
Joe S.
Our go to place for Mexican. Best in the area. Kid friendly and the staff is great. Love the food. 5 star margaritas.
(5)
Kate O.
No no no. Worst chicken burrito ever. Watery. Beans and rice had no taste. Service was fine. Act service was great. Food was not.
(1)
Natalie B.
I've lived in Frederick for about 6 months, and this is the only restaurant that I've been to more than once. Very good Mexican and Spanish food, and I love their Margaritas! The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so you want to get a bit dressed up when you go here. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Try the sweet corn tamales as an appetizer, you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Rick P.
I've eaten here a few times. Sunday brunch was fantastic. Late night or dinner rush, crowded or empty, food and service has always been great. When I pick the restaurant (I usually defer to my wife), this is where we go. Tortillas are perfect, salsa good, Guacamole was very good, typical dishes (enchiladas, burritos, rellenos) are all done right. Portions are gourmet sized; not too big, great presentation, and delicious. Clean and friendly; more authentic than the chain Mexican restaurants. Not what I consider "authentic" Mexican (giant hot plates overflowing with cheese and sauce served by waiters that "no hablo engles") but better than the chains and as close as I've found in Maryland.
(5)
Colleen F.
We come here a lot. The servers and staff are always friendly. The food is very good. I love their guacamole and the tamales de Elote. If I had one recommendation to the restaurant it would be to change their salsa recipe. This one is too watery.
(4)
Victoria Z.
Been here a few times and for what a large place it is, it's almost always empty. Only a table or two has been full. Maybe I just eat on weird days and times... Service has always been very good, save last night when I felt a bit pressured to get an appetizer, she asked us so many times! I'm not a pushover though! I just wanted my entree, plus I always fill up on the complimentary chips and salsa. Food has always been pretty good, my only complaint is my crunchy tacos quickly turn not-so-crunchy because they are placed between the rice and other toppings. Putting the sides on a separate plate would make a huge difference!
(3)
Seetha K.
This is a really nice restaurant, good for a special occasion. A little pricey for a regular night out. I didn't think it was worth the price. But really nice and attentive staff and beautiful ambiance. Drinks were good too - would go back for the bar area and Guava margarita.
(3)
Linda A.
I absolutely LOVE this place! Don't let the "Mexican" label fool you. The food is more Latin than Mexican with an excellent Cuban pork dish that is out of this world. Awesome seafood and the ambiance is wonderful. Any day I can go to Mariachi is a good day.
(5)
John D.
Don't know what these other folks are complaining about. GREAT place Food = A- Service= B+ Value = B+
(4)
Susan J.
We ate there last Sunday. They were very busy but we still had excellent service from Ana. We ate Lomo Saltado and Pollo Saltado and then had flan for dessert. With 2 drings apiece our check came to $60. Great value for money.
(4)
Arthur W.
Calling this a Mexican restaurant isn't "Kosher". It serves Spanish and Seafood dishes also. And they do it quite well. The House Margaritas are cheap, and they hit the spot. There's usually have discount certificates at restaurant.com
(4)
Karl M.
A somewhat upscale Spanish/Mexican place. The food and service have been excellent every time we've been here. Stand out items include the masitas and the seafood enchiladas. If looking for cheaper Mexican I also recommend the nearby El Ranchero.
(4)
Ted W.
Been there twice now. Chips were fresh one time and not hot the second time. Salsa appeared home made and was okay, but not exceptional. The place looks like it used to be a bar or strip club based on the layout (not that I frequent either). The well dressed tables clash with the rundown look of the low ceiling panels. I had the fish tacos and they were good, but not top tier. 2nd visit had shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada that were good. On first visit our waitress was apparently having some sort of personal issue and was virtually throwing things around and very pissy. 2nd visit was fine, different waitress.
(3)
Mary B.
We eat here quite a bit. It's HUGE and no one is ever in there, which we kind of like. Your food comes out fast, the staff couldn't be nicer and it's really good. I always try and get something different and I always like it. My hubby and I call this our go-to mexican place. Yum yum!
(4)
Lisa F.
Don't waste your time. Stop at Taco Bell and save your money. The crispy taco's were soggy. It took 45 min to get our food and the order was wrong. The rice was like rice a roni
(1)
Eva W.
Our group ordered appetizers of Ceviche, Queso Fundo and Tamales. Ceviche dressing was good but the fish was "over cooked" meaning that it macerated too long so it was rubbery. The tamales were all sweet corn meal and had corn husks inside. The Queso Fundo was melted thick cheese with very flavorless chorizo. Entrees were equally unimpressive. There really wasn't much to like about the place except that our waiter was very friendly and served us well.
(1)
Melissa L.
I think the menu is pretty extensive. I have been there 3 times, always good food, good service. There is nothing I would change.
(5)
B C.
I was not impressed by this food at all. The rice tasted like Rice A Roni. If you want good Mexican food try Fajita Grande on 40. There's a reason Mariachis parking lot is ALWAYS empty.
(1)
M E.
We love to go this place for the fajitas, tortilla chips, drink specials and mariachi singers . We have tried numerous dishes and our favorite is the fajitas, but sometimes the food is not consistent in that it is often oversalted and not flavorful. The paella is not something that I would recommend, but the fajitas and jambalaya are pretty good. Service is good.
(3)
Patti M.
not sure why the great ratings on yelp, maybe i should have ordered one of the interesting seafood dishes. i ordered veggie fajitas, they were just ok, no real flavor, lots of veggies tho. chips/salsa....just ok. don't really want the Mariachi men singing at my table either, maybe if i had kids they would enjoy but i don't! i probably won't return.
(3)
Lori M.
Pure bliss...that's how I felt about the spinach enchiladas. Made with cheese and fresh spinach and topped with a creamy spinach sauce and served with white rice, beans, and pico de gallo (not sure if I've spelled everything correctly), it was wonderful. It was a lunch special that also came with a garden salad and a beverage for $9.99 (there were also other entree choices available with the special).. I'm not usually a big fan of Mexican food, but I hope to return here. I'm hoping they make the spinach enchiladas a part of the regular menu. Vegetarians and non vegetarians will both enjoy this. Unlike the other review, I did not find the food salty (and I don't usually use much salt, so I would have noticed). It was also not spicy, which suited my taste--I guess you'd have to tell them to spice it up if that's what you like. The salsa served with chips was very good flavorwise, but runny, making it difficult to not make a mess. Other people I was with ordered different dishes and all seemed pleased. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(5)
Meredith M.
I'm from Texas and this is the best Tex-Mex-style food I've found in Frederick by far. Atmosphere leaves a little to be desired - I'd prefer more Christmas lights and fewer white tablecloths - although the Mariachi band is a nice touch. In terms of the food, it's mildly seasoned but delicious. Chips and good house-made salsa flow freely. Fajitas and spinach enchiladas are very good, the ceviche is great. My daughter had the carne asada, which I thought wasn't quite as good but she liked it. Occasionally the food has been oversalted, but not lately. Margaritas come by the glass or the pitcher and are quite satisfactory (and if memory serves, very economical as well). They will sub out things without complaint and the service is always really friendly.
(5)
Belle M.
While my standard is high for good Mexican food (being from the S.F. Bay area and currently living in L.A.) I have to say I've never been to a place where all I could taste was salt in my food. I had the carne asada plate. Portions are huge but it fell short on the taste. My first bite was ok but as I took my second and third bite, it got saltier (the hot sauce could not even mask the taste). My friends who got the duck and the paella had the same complaint. The only thing that was tasty were the plantains. However, I would give them an extra star for friendly service and nice decor.
(2)
Lisa M.
Ordered carry-out - the Fiesta Chicken was DELICIOUS!! The chicken is So tender and juicy. I tried not to eat the tortilla, but it was so good with the rest of it, I gobbled it right up. I will have to try something else the next time. They are very pleasant when you come in, the atmosphere seems quite comfortable yet elegant at the same time.
(5)
Brian H.
I have been trying various Mexican restaurants in the area, and this one is now my favorite. The salsa and guacamole taste fresh and well seasoned. The beef is not ground beef and is well seasoned as is the chicken. They have homemade habanero salsa which is extremely hot and tasty. The chile relleno and tamales are quite tasty. Overall, I think this is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around and would highly recommend it. The service was very good as well.
(4)
Angie J.
My husband's co-workers have raved about Mariachi and a couple of my Yelp friends have written reviews about this restaurant, so I had to give it a try. I'm from Texas so I miss eating authentic Mexican food. It's a nice, "fancy" restaurant. The hostess and waitstaff are friendly, but wait time to get our drinks and food could be faster. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to get to our table and another 20 minutes to get our food. The food was delicious! I ordered the Sacramento Platter - Beef enchilada, Chili Relleno, and Crunchy Chicken Taco. Cheesy, saucy and hot! It came with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans. My husband ordered the Enchiladas - one chicken and one beef. It was a great surprise that shredded beef was in our enchilada; I'm use to restaurants using ground beef. Awesome!!! I've tried dining at other Mexican restaurants around Frederick. This is the best one - for service, quality and taste. I look forward to dining there again! :)
(4)
lisa y.
Friend's former boss had recommended this place years ago. Kept meaning to try it and finally did and we'll be back! Mariachi Margarita is a must!! So good! We had the cerviche for an appetizer, that was seasoned well. Would have liked to have some additional seafood in it, but was good. I had the Santa Fe Platter which had Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Tamale. So tasty and soo much food! Friend had the chimichanga and that looked good. Both meals came with rice, refried beans, sour cream. Had the fried ice cream for desert and that was a must have! Crunchy topping and yummy sauce! Will be back again! Will be trying the fajitas next time, they smelled wonderful as people were getting their orders!
(4)
Karri V.
Mariachi is not at all what I expected. In a good way though. We went at dinner on a Friday. They were pretty busy but since it is huge in there with a ton of tables we were seated quickly. The service was good from beginning to end. I kinda of got the feeling they are the type of place that remembers their regulars and actually care if they keep coming back. The food was quite good as well. I had the enchiladas and so did my son. They were not my favorite enchiladas in town but a close 2nd. My mom went with the chicken chimi which she seemed to really enjoy. I probably could have gone without the queso dip as I did not find it very flavorful but, my god, that fried ice cream is what dreams are made of. The waitress said the caramel sauce is homemade, too. All in all, everyone was happy with their food as it was fresh and tasty. We will definitely be back
(4)
Andy G.
Food,service and atmosphere were all excellent. We have heard great things about this place from friends and finally made it over. Extremely friendly staff right up front and waiting to seat us. Thank you for a great night out
(5)
Bill M.
Came in for brunch on Father's day. I tried the carne asada with eggs. Steak was great, eggs were cooked perfectly (over easy). The only thing I didn't like were the potatoes that came with it. Few undercooked pieces. Tried the tres leches cake. Best dessert ever. We'll be back.
(4)
Kristi D.
This place is a far cry for good Mexican food. I am not sure if it is the Spanish fusion, but I found the food flavorless and plain. My husband didn't even eat his burrito because he said it wasn't worth the calories. The chips & salas were good, but the salas was very watery and more like pico. The inside looks more like a fancy restaurant wannabe with its white linen. Not the norm for true Mexican . Service was fine. Needless to say we will not return.
(1)
Kacey D.
Have enjoyed several visits here, it's our favorite mexican food in the area. The menu ranges beyond typical texmex. Desserts are a hit, too.
(4)
Valerie S.
I came here once and it was good. Very nice inside and friendly. VERY CLEAN. Fancy place for special occasion. The drinks are better than the food. I think I've been to a better Mexican restaurant which is Santa Rosa at Route 40. But that's my opinion. I would come again only for the bar or party occasion.
(4)
David D.
Really enjoyed our meal here! Service was prompt and attentive. The tables are set with starched white linens and cut glass stemware. The food was all quite good - Chiles Rellenos, chicken Fajitas, beef Enchiladas, and Poc Chuc Yucateco (Charbroiled pork tenderloin marinated in mayan spices, topped with red onions -- tender and wonderful flavor). My wife had a mango smoothie, and I had a margarita, both of which were excellent. Desserts of flan, chocolate mousse, and Tres Leches really topped things off. Portions were all plentiful, food was flavorful. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the decor is simple - not your run-of-the-mill Mexican-sombraros-and-ponchos-and-bulls. I don't consider this to be negative, unless you are looking for that sort of typical decor. The food more than makes up for any loss of sensory stimulation.
(4)
Iris C.
We were very happy to have found a good Mexican place near Ijamsville since we normally go to DC. The staff is Friendly. Very good steak ( Carne Asada). My husband like his beef enchilada. I always notice cleanliness in a food place because a dirty restaurant is a turn off for me. This one passed the test. :)
(4)
Frank N.
Very very delicious Burrito Camarones! I'm already wishing I'd ordered another to go!! The Salsa and Chips are great. Thin chips and very fresh chunky salsa... This place doesn't look like much on the outside... In fact, I've driven past it for years without noticing it. Then i read my (real life) friend Victoria's review, and I went and looked for it.... I liked the mood inside!
(4)
Brad S.
My 3rd trip here, and I still can't understand how this place gets such rave reviews. It simply cannot be that we were there on an "off night" because it's just not possible for any quality restaurant to have so many off nights. Queso was runny like out of a Frito-Lay can, entrees were all bland...and, as always, the smoke from the kitchen was so thick it burned our eyes and permeated all our clothes. I won't be coming here again.
(2)
Patrick V.
Food was absolutely on point. I had the Mexicana Fajitas which had chicken, steak and link chorizo on top of sauteed onions, peppers and a roasted jalepeno. Wonderfully delicious. The only reason I gave four stars versus five was because my waitress, while nice, was not as engaging as I like. I will say, however, I came in at the start of lunch and she was still performing some lunch prep. All in all, wonderful experience. I will absolutely visit Mariachi again.
(4)
Crystal W.
We ate here on a friends recommendation and were not disappointed. I had a platter that had beef and chicken alongside pinto beans and rice pilaf. For an extra $3 I could add a soda and flan (which I did). The steak was a little chewy but for the price I feel it was fair as it was a decent sized portion. We also ordered the queso (which was yellow, not white, if that concerns you). We also got the habenero hot sauce, which was delicious and yes, very hot. I walked out of there stuffed and happy.
(4)
Cynthia C.
The service is wonderful and all the staff are very pleasant! But the food is far from Mexican! It has no taste, no flavor and everything is watery! Cheese dip taste like liquid butter "I about vomited" we have never been here so we tried it and we will not return! Also their menu is overpriced! Chipotle makes a better taco for $2.50
(1)
Angie J.
My husband's co-workers have raved about Mariachi and a couple of my Yelp friends have written reviews about this restaurant, so I had to give it a try. I'm from Texas so I miss eating authentic Mexican food. It's a nice, "fancy" restaurant. The hostess and waitstaff are friendly, but wait time to get our drinks and food could be faster. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to get to our table and another 20 minutes to get our food. The food was delicious! I ordered the Sacramento Platter - Beef enchilada, Chili Relleno, and Crunchy Chicken Taco. Cheesy, saucy and hot! It came with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans. My husband ordered the Enchiladas - one chicken and one beef. It was a great surprise that shredded beef was in our enchilada; I'm use to restaurants using ground beef. Awesome!!! I've tried dining at other Mexican restaurants around Frederick. This is the best one - for service, quality and taste. I look forward to dining there again! :)
(4)
lisa y.
Friend's former boss had recommended this place years ago. Kept meaning to try it and finally did and we'll be back! Mariachi Margarita is a must!! So good! We had the cerviche for an appetizer, that was seasoned well. Would have liked to have some additional seafood in it, but was good. I had the Santa Fe Platter which had Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Tamale. So tasty and soo much food! Friend had the chimichanga and that looked good. Both meals came with rice, refried beans, sour cream. Had the fried ice cream for desert and that was a must have! Crunchy topping and yummy sauce! Will be back again! Will be trying the fajitas next time, they smelled wonderful as people were getting their orders!
(4)
Karri V.
Mariachi is not at all what I expected. In a good way though. We went at dinner on a Friday. They were pretty busy but since it is huge in there with a ton of tables we were seated quickly. The service was good from beginning to end. I kinda of got the feeling they are the type of place that remembers their regulars and actually care if they keep coming back. The food was quite good as well. I had the enchiladas and so did my son. They were not my favorite enchiladas in town but a close 2nd. My mom went with the chicken chimi which she seemed to really enjoy. I probably could have gone without the queso dip as I did not find it very flavorful but, my god, that fried ice cream is what dreams are made of. The waitress said the caramel sauce is homemade, too. All in all, everyone was happy with their food as it was fresh and tasty. We will definitely be back
(4)
Andy G.
Food,service and atmosphere were all excellent. We have heard great things about this place from friends and finally made it over. Extremely friendly staff right up front and waiting to seat us. Thank you for a great night out
(5)
Bill M.
Came in for brunch on Father's day. I tried the carne asada with eggs. Steak was great, eggs were cooked perfectly (over easy). The only thing I didn't like were the potatoes that came with it. Few undercooked pieces. Tried the tres leches cake. Best dessert ever. We'll be back.
(4)
Kristi D.
This place is a far cry for good Mexican food. I am not sure if it is the Spanish fusion, but I found the food flavorless and plain. My husband didn't even eat his burrito because he said it wasn't worth the calories. The chips & salas were good, but the salas was very watery and more like pico. The inside looks more like a fancy restaurant wannabe with its white linen. Not the norm for true Mexican . Service was fine. Needless to say we will not return.
(1)
Kacey D.
Have enjoyed several visits here, it's our favorite mexican food in the area. The menu ranges beyond typical texmex. Desserts are a hit, too.
(4)
Valerie S.
I came here once and it was good. Very nice inside and friendly. VERY CLEAN. Fancy place for special occasion. The drinks are better than the food. I think I've been to a better Mexican restaurant which is Santa Rosa at Route 40. But that's my opinion. I would come again only for the bar or party occasion.
(4)
David D.
Really enjoyed our meal here! Service was prompt and attentive. The tables are set with starched white linens and cut glass stemware. The food was all quite good - Chiles Rellenos, chicken Fajitas, beef Enchiladas, and Poc Chuc Yucateco (Charbroiled pork tenderloin marinated in mayan spices, topped with red onions -- tender and wonderful flavor). My wife had a mango smoothie, and I had a margarita, both of which were excellent. Desserts of flan, chocolate mousse, and Tres Leches really topped things off. Portions were all plentiful, food was flavorful. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the decor is simple - not your run-of-the-mill Mexican-sombraros-and-ponchos-and-bulls. I don't consider this to be negative, unless you are looking for that sort of typical decor. The food more than makes up for any loss of sensory stimulation.
(4)
Iris C.
We were very happy to have found a good Mexican place near Ijamsville since we normally go to DC. The staff is Friendly. Very good steak ( Carne Asada). My husband like his beef enchilada. I always notice cleanliness in a food place because a dirty restaurant is a turn off for me. This one passed the test. :)
(4)
Frank N.
Very very delicious Burrito Camarones! I'm already wishing I'd ordered another to go!! The Salsa and Chips are great. Thin chips and very fresh chunky salsa... This place doesn't look like much on the outside... In fact, I've driven past it for years without noticing it. Then i read my (real life) friend Victoria's review, and I went and looked for it.... I liked the mood inside!
(4)
Patrick V.
Food was absolutely on point. I had the Mexicana Fajitas which had chicken, steak and link chorizo on top of sauteed onions, peppers and a roasted jalepeno. Wonderfully delicious. The only reason I gave four stars versus five was because my waitress, while nice, was not as engaging as I like. I will say, however, I came in at the start of lunch and she was still performing some lunch prep. All in all, wonderful experience. I will absolutely visit Mariachi again.
(4)
Cynthia C.
The service is wonderful and all the staff are very pleasant! But the food is far from Mexican! It has no taste, no flavor and everything is watery! Cheese dip taste like liquid butter "I about vomited" we have never been here so we tried it and we will not return! Also their menu is overpriced! Chipotle makes a better taco for $2.50
(1)
Jeff B.
This is probably the best Mexican restaurant, or at least in the top two or three, in Frederick. The food is fresh, the staff is exceptional, and the mood of the place is great. It's a restaurant you can go with a group of friends but can also take kids. It's a nice balance between family friendly and more grown-up. The portions are generous and the margaritas are probably the best in town. Highly recommended...
(5)
John B.
The steak I had was great! The staff was also very friendly. This was my first time here, but I am sure I will be back.
(4)
Crystal W.
We ate here on a friends recommendation and were not disappointed. I had a platter that had beef and chicken alongside pinto beans and rice pilaf. For an extra $3 I could add a soda and flan (which I did). The steak was a little chewy but for the price I feel it was fair as it was a decent sized portion. We also ordered the queso (which was yellow, not white, if that concerns you). We also got the habenero hot sauce, which was delicious and yes, very hot. I walked out of there stuffed and happy.
(4)
Steve B.
Good Mexican food, on the busier side of Frederick. The building that houses Mariachi has lived many lives. My older brother drank underage there, at the Gold Dust Inn. Many management changes later, I drank and danced there at the Rabbit's Foot, or several other names. At some point, I think it even featured male strippers. And now it's calmed down, turned the bar into an open kitchen, and turns out some pretty non-controversial Mexican food. We've visited three or four times, and they do a pretty good job on the food and service. The decor is above average as well, with some departures from the standard "I'm in a courtyard in old Mexico" look that you've seen so many times. Burritos, enchiladas, tamales, and the like have been good. The chile relleno (my favorite dish) is above average. Pretty good margaritas on the rocks. Our last visit, I happened to notice the dozens of baskets of tortilla chips, filled and ready to serve, piled high on shelves in several open storage rooms. That's an odd touch---not because they fill the baskets so far ahead of time, but because you can see the stockpiles. Maybe there's a better way to do this. Overall, another reasonable and satisfying fix for our craving for Mexican food.
(3)
Nic R.
The service was good, but the food was very disappointing. The wait staff was attentive, and the $2 draft beers were good, as was the fresh chips and salsa. Everything else about the food here just fell flat. This place obviously takes the cheap road when it comes to the food, the guacamole wasn't fresh, and the enchiladas and chili rellenos had the texture of a frozen microwave dinner from 7-11. Even the rice was an unnatural yellow with indiscriminate bits of veggie matter and tasted like something found in a box from the dollar store. The food here sucks, plain and simple. As for the mariachi of the namesake? They don't even get this right. It's more like square dancing music than what one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. Not worth it, stay away.
My 3rd trip here, and I still can't understand how this place gets such rave reviews. It simply cannot be that we were there on an "off night" because it's just not possible for any quality restaurant to have so many off nights. Queso was runny like out of a Frito-Lay can, entrees were all bland...and, as always, the smoke from the kitchen was so thick it burned our eyes and permeated all our clothes. I won't be coming here again.
(2)
Mark G.
Maryland has a few good Mexican/latin american resturaunts. El Derado in Easton, Mangos Grill in Laurel, and now Meriachi's in Frederick. We have eaten in most of the highly praised establishments in MD and DC, and they are merely pretentious imitations. This place was a surprise. The margaritas are OK, but the food was quietly authentic, with sophisticated spices. If you have to, there is the TexMex, but I had a cuban styled pork dish, and others had a cerviche based salad. (Salsa needs help.) The plantains were prepared in a methods different from our cuban friend's method, but neverless excellent. The bill was also a surprise, given MD/DC. PLAN TO RETURN!
(4)
Joe S.
Our go to place for Mexican. Best in the area. Kid friendly and the staff is great. Love the food. 5 star margaritas.
(5)
Kate O.
No no no. Worst chicken burrito ever. Watery. Beans and rice had no taste. Service was fine. Act service was great. Food was not.
(1)
Natalie B.
I've lived in Frederick for about 6 months, and this is the only restaurant that I've been to more than once. Very good Mexican and Spanish food, and I love their Margaritas! The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so you want to get a bit dressed up when you go here. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Try the sweet corn tamales as an appetizer, you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Rick P.
I've eaten here a few times. Sunday brunch was fantastic. Late night or dinner rush, crowded or empty, food and service has always been great. When I pick the restaurant (I usually defer to my wife), this is where we go. Tortillas are perfect, salsa good, Guacamole was very good, typical dishes (enchiladas, burritos, rellenos) are all done right. Portions are gourmet sized; not too big, great presentation, and delicious. Clean and friendly; more authentic than the chain Mexican restaurants. Not what I consider "authentic" Mexican (giant hot plates overflowing with cheese and sauce served by waiters that "no hablo engles") but better than the chains and as close as I've found in Maryland.
(5)
Colleen F.
We come here a lot. The servers and staff are always friendly. The food is very good. I love their guacamole and the tamales de Elote. If I had one recommendation to the restaurant it would be to change their salsa recipe. This one is too watery.
(4)
Victoria Z.
Been here a few times and for what a large place it is, it's almost always empty. Only a table or two has been full. Maybe I just eat on weird days and times... Service has always been very good, save last night when I felt a bit pressured to get an appetizer, she asked us so many times! I'm not a pushover though! I just wanted my entree, plus I always fill up on the complimentary chips and salsa. Food has always been pretty good, my only complaint is my crunchy tacos quickly turn not-so-crunchy because they are placed between the rice and other toppings. Putting the sides on a separate plate would make a huge difference!
(3)
Linda R.
First impression walking in the door...not a Mexican restaurant. Looked like it should be a 1950's cafeteria or a rented hall at a VFW. Decor, or lack there of was bland and very sterile looking. The white table cloths were so very out of place and didn't help. The Cadillac margarita was very good. Chips were good and the salsa was very fresh tasting but could have used some cilantro. I ordered the Carnitas...well that is what it was called. Not like any carnita I have ever ordered (although I am from the west coast). The pork was very greasy and tasteless. The black beans were okay, but nothing special. I was so very disappointed. We moved here a few months ago and this was the first poor meal that we have eaten in Frederick. I think we will stick to the downtown area where we have yet to go wrong.
(1)
Kimberly C.
My, my, my .................. I had high hopes of this place after reading some of the reviews. To be honest, my enchilada plate was not that bad (probably would have warranted 3 stars) BUT they seriously jacked up my plantains. How do you mess up plantains??????????? The were soggy, lacked the nice crisp edges, and soaked in oil. I tried to take them home and re-fry them, but they had been soaking in the oil too long and were just ruined. What a waste of $4! So, I ordered take out for lunch last week, and the chicken enchiladas were not bad, although I have had better. They did not have nearly enough sauce on them, the chicken was a little on the dry side, and I hated the beans. I would drive the extra miles and put up with the poor service from another reviewed restaurant on the other side of town before I come back here.
(2)
Seetha K.
This is a really nice restaurant, good for a special occasion. A little pricey for a regular night out. I didn't think it was worth the price. But really nice and attentive staff and beautiful ambiance. Drinks were good too - would go back for the bar area and Guava margarita.
(3)
Linda A.
I absolutely LOVE this place! Don't let the "Mexican" label fool you. The food is more Latin than Mexican with an excellent Cuban pork dish that is out of this world. Awesome seafood and the ambiance is wonderful. Any day I can go to Mariachi is a good day.
(5)
John D.
Don't know what these other folks are complaining about. GREAT place Food = A- Service= B+ Value = B+
(4)
Susan J.
We ate there last Sunday. They were very busy but we still had excellent service from Ana. We ate Lomo Saltado and Pollo Saltado and then had flan for dessert. With 2 drings apiece our check came to $60. Great value for money.
(4)
Sara S.
The service here was great. The tres leches cake was amazing!! Most of the food was good although generally over salted. However, stick with the Mexican food. We thought we'd try the paella - very wrong choice. It was horrible. I don't think it should even be called "paella". It should have been called "over-salted and yet still bland seafood over soupy Mahatma saffron rice packet". That said, the service was great. They did reconcile for the bad paella, then delivered that amazing dessert. I would go back again, but I think I'd get the enchiladas or the burrito!
(4)
Katie F.
Ill be honest, when I think Mexican food I don't think "fine dining". I want good food in casual atmosphere where I can really enjoy a marg and little to mexican ditties. This place was an odd mix of not being any of these things. The place has white tablecloths and linens---but then you get a spiral plastic menu. Either go casual like the menu, or nice like the table styling--you can't be all things at once. The chips and salsa lacked any real appeal--the salsa tasted very vinegar like infact. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, and they were good--the spinach was certainly fresh. However the side were boring, bland black beans and white rice. So, while the service was great, this place suffers an identity crisis. If I were them I would go casual----make it more festive--that what most people want in a mexican place.
(3)
Arthur W.
Calling this a Mexican restaurant isn't "Kosher". It serves Spanish and Seafood dishes also. And they do it quite well. The House Margaritas are cheap, and they hit the spot. There's usually have discount certificates at restaurant.com
(4)
Karl M.
A somewhat upscale Spanish/Mexican place. The food and service have been excellent every time we've been here. Stand out items include the masitas and the seafood enchiladas. If looking for cheaper Mexican I also recommend the nearby El Ranchero.
(4)
Ted W.
Been there twice now. Chips were fresh one time and not hot the second time. Salsa appeared home made and was okay, but not exceptional. The place looks like it used to be a bar or strip club based on the layout (not that I frequent either). The well dressed tables clash with the rundown look of the low ceiling panels. I had the fish tacos and they were good, but not top tier. 2nd visit had shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada that were good. On first visit our waitress was apparently having some sort of personal issue and was virtually throwing things around and very pissy. 2nd visit was fine, different waitress.
(3)
Melissa M.
We moved to the East Coast from CA a few years ago and had a hard time finding good Mexican food in the area. Surprised to say that we are quite pleased with the selection and quality of the food here at Mariachi! We go on average once every two to three months -- great place for date night, or to take the kids. Might need reservations on a special day, as we tried to go on Valentine's and couldn't even get in the door! Good drinks, too!
(4)
Jeff K.
I frequent this place and I have yet to not enjoy the food and experience. I live in Hagerstown but yet still make the trip. Their Spinach Quesadilla are my favorite. Not sure what they do to make them so delicious but it's hard for me to order anything else (though I have) when I come here. I'm also a fan of their chips and salsa. If you're in the mood for great service and great food, I would highly recommend them.
(4)
Mary B.
We eat here quite a bit. It's HUGE and no one is ever in there, which we kind of like. Your food comes out fast, the staff couldn't be nicer and it's really good. I always try and get something different and I always like it. My hubby and I call this our go-to mexican place. Yum yum!
(4)
Lisa F.
Don't waste your time. Stop at Taco Bell and save your money. The crispy taco's were soggy. It took 45 min to get our food and the order was wrong. The rice was like rice a roni
(1)
Eva W.
Our group ordered appetizers of Ceviche, Queso Fundo and Tamales. Ceviche dressing was good but the fish was "over cooked" meaning that it macerated too long so it was rubbery. The tamales were all sweet corn meal and had corn husks inside. The Queso Fundo was melted thick cheese with very flavorless chorizo. Entrees were equally unimpressive. There really wasn't much to like about the place except that our waiter was very friendly and served us well.
(1)
Melissa L.
I think the menu is pretty extensive. I have been there 3 times, always good food, good service. There is nothing I would change.
(5)
B C.
I was not impressed by this food at all. The rice tasted like Rice A Roni. If you want good Mexican food try Fajita Grande on 40. There's a reason Mariachis parking lot is ALWAYS empty.
(1)
Tracy B.
I have been to Mariachi's several times since their opening, and it has gone a little downhill. I have to agree with another reviewer about this restaurant having an identity crisis - I enjoy that it has an upscale feel to it, but the food is not as good as it used to be. If you are going to charge me an extra $4 for a dish I could get at another mexican restaurant, I expect it to be better. I ate there last night with a friend and it was the worst dining experience I have ever had there. First off, the restaurant was completely empty, which was bizarre because every other time I've been there it has been pretty full. They were having some kind of issue with their speaker system....there would be music playing, it would randomly get louder and softer, then it would just stop completely for 10 minutes of random silence. That made for an awkward dining experience. The chips were not warm, and the salsa was not as I had remembered it to be on previous visits. It was really bland; just a bunch of chopped up vegetables swimming in tomato juice. We each ordered the chicken fajitas, and for $15, they weren't that great. There are other places around that serve better fajitas for less money. Tortillas get soggy because they are served on the same plate as the sides, instead of being served in that little container that keeps them warm. The drinks and queso were good, but the rest left me feeling underwhelmed. Probably won't be going back any time soon.
(3)
jc t.
This place is like a more expensive taco bell with worse service. For a comparable burrito I would go down the road to 7/11 and microwave one for a buck. This has to be the worst "Mexican" food I have ever had. It's as if someone were playing a joke.
(1)
Ed W.
First time here, kept driving by and finally decided to give it a try glad we did. I had the Fajitas Trio and it was great. Did not have the normal "chain Resturant" spices on it. The chocolate mousse was also very good. Seemed to be home made.
(3)
Simone R.
Ok, my new fav place!! Great food, awesome service, atmosphere very sexy at night!! Rib eye fajiata are the bomb!! Chips are fresh and the food taste like your Grandma prepared!! Authentic Spanish cuisine!!
(5)
M E.
We love to go this place for the fajitas, tortilla chips, drink specials and mariachi singers . We have tried numerous dishes and our favorite is the fajitas, but sometimes the food is not consistent in that it is often oversalted and not flavorful. The paella is not something that I would recommend, but the fajitas and jambalaya are pretty good. Service is good.
(3)
Patti M.
not sure why the great ratings on yelp, maybe i should have ordered one of the interesting seafood dishes. i ordered veggie fajitas, they were just ok, no real flavor, lots of veggies tho. chips/salsa....just ok. don't really want the Mariachi men singing at my table either, maybe if i had kids they would enjoy but i don't! i probably won't return.
(3)
Lori M.
Pure bliss...that's how I felt about the spinach enchiladas. Made with cheese and fresh spinach and topped with a creamy spinach sauce and served with white rice, beans, and pico de gallo (not sure if I've spelled everything correctly), it was wonderful. It was a lunch special that also came with a garden salad and a beverage for $9.99 (there were also other entree choices available with the special).. I'm not usually a big fan of Mexican food, but I hope to return here. I'm hoping they make the spinach enchiladas a part of the regular menu. Vegetarians and non vegetarians will both enjoy this. Unlike the other review, I did not find the food salty (and I don't usually use much salt, so I would have noticed). It was also not spicy, which suited my taste--I guess you'd have to tell them to spice it up if that's what you like. The salsa served with chips was very good flavorwise, but runny, making it difficult to not make a mess. Other people I was with ordered different dishes and all seemed pleased. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(5)
Bill C.
A nice mix of kinda classy - while still being casual. A mix of Tex-Mex and Spanish foods. Been here many times and never had a bad meal. The service has been great. Simply - good food, good service, good price - I'll keep going back.
(4)
Luisita S.
Overpriced "Mexican" food. What a rip-off. Watered down drinks. The one thing in its favor--plenty of parking. And service is friendly.
(1)
Meredith M.
I'm from Texas and this is the best Tex-Mex-style food I've found in Frederick by far. Atmosphere leaves a little to be desired - I'd prefer more Christmas lights and fewer white tablecloths - although the Mariachi band is a nice touch. In terms of the food, it's mildly seasoned but delicious. Chips and good house-made salsa flow freely. Fajitas and spinach enchiladas are very good, the ceviche is great. My daughter had the carne asada, which I thought wasn't quite as good but she liked it. Occasionally the food has been oversalted, but not lately. Margaritas come by the glass or the pitcher and are quite satisfactory (and if memory serves, very economical as well). They will sub out things without complaint and the service is always really friendly.
(5)
Belle M.
While my standard is high for good Mexican food (being from the S.F. Bay area and currently living in L.A.) I have to say I've never been to a place where all I could taste was salt in my food. I had the carne asada plate. Portions are huge but it fell short on the taste. My first bite was ok but as I took my second and third bite, it got saltier (the hot sauce could not even mask the taste). My friends who got the duck and the paella had the same complaint. The only thing that was tasty were the plantains. However, I would give them an extra star for friendly service and nice decor.
(2)
Lisa M.
Ordered carry-out - the Fiesta Chicken was DELICIOUS!! The chicken is So tender and juicy. I tried not to eat the tortilla, but it was so good with the rest of it, I gobbled it right up. I will have to try something else the next time. They are very pleasant when you come in, the atmosphere seems quite comfortable yet elegant at the same time.
(5)
Brian H.
I have been trying various Mexican restaurants in the area, and this one is now my favorite. The salsa and guacamole taste fresh and well seasoned. The beef is not ground beef and is well seasoned as is the chicken. They have homemade habanero salsa which is extremely hot and tasty. The chile relleno and tamales are quite tasty. Overall, I think this is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around and would highly recommend it. The service was very good as well.
This is the best Mexican food in Maryland. I especially love the Chi Con Queso... So special it must have a secret ingredient! Bob
(5)
Andre B.
Some of the best Carne asada I have ever had in my life! Great variety. Staff was very nice and helpful. Good place for group dinner. Will go back when in the area!
(5)
Beata K.
Came here for Valentines day and it was somewhat of a zoo. The term "reservations" had no meaning what so ever and it seems as though the Hispanic folks got seated first as they could talk their way into it with the host. Aside from our reservations being ignored the place is pretty good. The menu is split between Mexican and Spanish food so we got the fried plantains, lomo saltado and fajitas. The fajitas (steak & chicken) were great an the lomo saltado was pretty good too but it was a tad salty. The restaurant is pretty big and had a nice atmosphere. Will definitely come back and try a few more items off the menu and will hopefully have a better experience in terms of being seated.
(3)
Jason C.
My wife and I love this place. It is always first on the list when we want Mexican food. She loves the seafood soup and I love the fajita trio. Staff is very friendly and they usually have a good beer special once a day. Usually a couple times a month stop for us.
(5)
Sheri W.
Day after Christmas lunch...fabulous! Great service, great food, great atmosphere!
(5)
David O.
Don't. The experience was generally disappointing. Salsa was awful. Clearly they had just added some pico de gallo to some canned tomato sauce and called it salsa. I had "Plato rojo" which was chile rellanos. It said 2 rellanos would be on the plate but it was one poblano halved and battered as individual rellanos. The poblano was tough because it was undercooked. I won't return.
(2)
Codemaster G.
My 1st time there, will not go back. Chips and salsa were ok, salsa was very watery though I ordered the Seafood Paella and let me tell you, it was NOT good! I guess I should have known when i asked the waitress if it was made the same day and her reply: "oh, they make it fresh to order". Paella takes at least a couple hours to make, it cannot be made to order. I gave it a try anyways ... mistake. The rice in the dish was the same as the side dish rice served with most all other orders. The seafood in the dish was WAY overcooked - the shrimp and squid rubbery, the mussels were tough, the clam (single clam) was just mush and disgusting. There was also sand in the one of the mussels! Worst of all, it was so salty!!! WHY??? Lesson Learned: only order stuff that you know the kitchen has to make fresh, a dish like this is almost certainly gong to be "microwave magic'" or what you might expect from a cafeteria chow line. I gave 2 stars only because the chips were ok, and $2 draft beer during happy hour.
(2)
Justa D.
Food is good. Same as any of the other Mexican joints around. The margaritas are good. Nothing special, but good. No complaints.
(4)
Dawn R.
I stopped in for lunch while attending a conference in Frederick, opting to go out and find something other than the boxed lunch provided by the conference organizers. Looking back, I probably should have stayed at the conference center. Don't get me wrong.....the service was great (of course, I was the only one in the place), and the food was OK....but it was just that, OK. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, expecting something really nice and creamy/cheesy. What I got was a LOT of spinach, with very little flavor from the sauce. The beans were alright but nothing special, as was the rice. Their dessert list didn't have anything that really appealed to me, although the server insisted that their chocolate flan was amazing. Maybe if I tried something different, I would have liked it better, but the food I got really just didn't impress me that much.
(3)
Ledbetter A.
So I took some friends back to Mariachi tonight. I was definitely not disappointed. Great place. A must try in Frederick.
(5)
Rose B.
After finding this place on yelp, (it is a gem), I met a friend for an enjoyable evening and awesome meal. Fajitas and chimichanga's with complimentary salsa and chips... and an amazing fried ice cream. It was happy hour.. but we didnt add drinks, although the prices were right! Very child friendly with coloring pages and a SUPER nice wait staff. I will definitely be BACK!
(5)
Michael R.
OUTSTANDING!! This place is delicious! This is our second time coming here, and once again, everything was great. We are from California so we have a pretty high standard for Mexican food. Of course, nothing compares to California Mexican food, but this is pretty close. As far as east coast Mexican, 5STARS! I had the chihuahua platter...marvelous!! My wife had the beef enchiladas....delicious!!! The chips and salsa are on point and the habeñero salsa (by request) pretty hot and delicious for a restaurant. The service was excellent and the prices reasonable. Definitely recommend to all. Best Mexican/Spanish food in Frederick!!!
(5)
Angie J.
My husband's co-workers have raved about Mariachi and a couple of my Yelp friends have written reviews about this restaurant, so I had to give it a try. I'm from Texas so I miss eating authentic Mexican food. It's a nice, "fancy" restaurant. The hostess and waitstaff are friendly, but wait time to get our drinks and food could be faster. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to get to our table and another 20 minutes to get our food. The food was delicious! I ordered the Sacramento Platter - Beef enchilada, Chili Relleno, and Crunchy Chicken Taco. Cheesy, saucy and hot! It came with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans. My husband ordered the Enchiladas - one chicken and one beef. It was a great surprise that shredded beef was in our enchilada; I'm use to restaurants using ground beef. Awesome!!! I've tried dining at other Mexican restaurants around Frederick. This is the best one - for service, quality and taste. I look forward to dining there again! :)
(4)
lisa y.
Friend's former boss had recommended this place years ago. Kept meaning to try it and finally did and we'll be back! Mariachi Margarita is a must!! So good! We had the cerviche for an appetizer, that was seasoned well. Would have liked to have some additional seafood in it, but was good. I had the Santa Fe Platter which had Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Tamale. So tasty and soo much food! Friend had the chimichanga and that looked good. Both meals came with rice, refried beans, sour cream. Had the fried ice cream for desert and that was a must have! Crunchy topping and yummy sauce! Will be back again! Will be trying the fajitas next time, they smelled wonderful as people were getting their orders!
(4)
Karri V.
Mariachi is not at all what I expected. In a good way though. We went at dinner on a Friday. They were pretty busy but since it is huge in there with a ton of tables we were seated quickly. The service was good from beginning to end. I kinda of got the feeling they are the type of place that remembers their regulars and actually care if they keep coming back. The food was quite good as well. I had the enchiladas and so did my son. They were not my favorite enchiladas in town but a close 2nd. My mom went with the chicken chimi which she seemed to really enjoy. I probably could have gone without the queso dip as I did not find it very flavorful but, my god, that fried ice cream is what dreams are made of. The waitress said the caramel sauce is homemade, too. All in all, everyone was happy with their food as it was fresh and tasty. We will definitely be back
(4)
Andy G.
Food,service and atmosphere were all excellent. We have heard great things about this place from friends and finally made it over. Extremely friendly staff right up front and waiting to seat us. Thank you for a great night out
(5)
Karen H.
I love this place. We go at least 4 times/year for several years now and we're never disappointed. The food, drinks, service, atmosphere, etc. are always the best.
(5)
Bill M.
Came in for brunch on Father's day. I tried the carne asada with eggs. Steak was great, eggs were cooked perfectly (over easy). The only thing I didn't like were the potatoes that came with it. Few undercooked pieces. Tried the tres leches cake. Best dessert ever. We'll be back.
(4)
Kristi D.
This place is a far cry for good Mexican food. I am not sure if it is the Spanish fusion, but I found the food flavorless and plain. My husband didn't even eat his burrito because he said it wasn't worth the calories. The chips & salas were good, but the salas was very watery and more like pico. The inside looks more like a fancy restaurant wannabe with its white linen. Not the norm for true Mexican . Service was fine. Needless to say we will not return.
(1)
Kacey D.
Have enjoyed several visits here, it's our favorite mexican food in the area. The menu ranges beyond typical texmex. Desserts are a hit, too.
(4)
Valerie S.
I came here once and it was good. Very nice inside and friendly. VERY CLEAN. Fancy place for special occasion. The drinks are better than the food. I think I've been to a better Mexican restaurant which is Santa Rosa at Route 40. But that's my opinion. I would come again only for the bar or party occasion.
(4)
Iris C.
We were very happy to have found a good Mexican place near Ijamsville since we normally go to DC. The staff is Friendly. Very good steak ( Carne Asada). My husband like his beef enchilada. I always notice cleanliness in a food place because a dirty restaurant is a turn off for me. This one passed the test. :)
(4)
David D.
Really enjoyed our meal here! Service was prompt and attentive. The tables are set with starched white linens and cut glass stemware. The food was all quite good - Chiles Rellenos, chicken Fajitas, beef Enchiladas, and Poc Chuc Yucateco (Charbroiled pork tenderloin marinated in mayan spices, topped with red onions -- tender and wonderful flavor). My wife had a mango smoothie, and I had a margarita, both of which were excellent. Desserts of flan, chocolate mousse, and Tres Leches really topped things off. Portions were all plentiful, food was flavorful. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the decor is simple - not your run-of-the-mill Mexican-sombraros-and-ponchos-and-bulls. I don't consider this to be negative, unless you are looking for that sort of typical decor. The food more than makes up for any loss of sensory stimulation.
(4)
Patrick V.
Food was absolutely on point. I had the Mexicana Fajitas which had chicken, steak and link chorizo on top of sauteed onions, peppers and a roasted jalepeno. Wonderfully delicious. The only reason I gave four stars versus five was because my waitress, while nice, was not as engaging as I like. I will say, however, I came in at the start of lunch and she was still performing some lunch prep. All in all, wonderful experience. I will absolutely visit Mariachi again.
(4)
Frank N.
Very very delicious Burrito Camarones! I'm already wishing I'd ordered another to go!! The Salsa and Chips are great. Thin chips and very fresh chunky salsa... This place doesn't look like much on the outside... In fact, I've driven past it for years without noticing it. Then i read my (real life) friend Victoria's review, and I went and looked for it.... I liked the mood inside!
(4)
Bob S.
This is the best Mexican food in Maryland. I especially love the Chi Con Queso... So special it must have a secret ingredient! Bob
(5)
Cynthia C.
The service is wonderful and all the staff are very pleasant! But the food is far from Mexican! It has no taste, no flavor and everything is watery! Cheese dip taste like liquid butter "I about vomited" we have never been here so we tried it and we will not return! Also their menu is overpriced! Chipotle makes a better taco for $2.50
(1)
Jeff B.
This is probably the best Mexican restaurant, or at least in the top two or three, in Frederick. The food is fresh, the staff is exceptional, and the mood of the place is great. It's a restaurant you can go with a group of friends but can also take kids. It's a nice balance between family friendly and more grown-up. The portions are generous and the margaritas are probably the best in town. Highly recommended...
(5)
John B.
The steak I had was great! The staff was also very friendly. This was my first time here, but I am sure I will be back.
Some of the best Carne asada I have ever had in my life! Great variety. Staff was very nice and helpful. Good place for group dinner. Will go back when in the area!
(5)
Beata K.
Came here for Valentines day and it was somewhat of a zoo. The term "reservations" had no meaning what so ever and it seems as though the Hispanic folks got seated first as they could talk their way into it with the host. Aside from our reservations being ignored the place is pretty good. The menu is split between Mexican and Spanish food so we got the fried plantains, lomo saltado and fajitas. The fajitas (steak & chicken) were great an the lomo saltado was pretty good too but it was a tad salty. The restaurant is pretty big and had a nice atmosphere. Will definitely come back and try a few more items off the menu and will hopefully have a better experience in terms of being seated.
(3)
Steve B.
Good Mexican food, on the busier side of Frederick. The building that houses Mariachi has lived many lives. My older brother drank underage there, at the Gold Dust Inn. Many management changes later, I drank and danced there at the Rabbit's Foot, or several other names. At some point, I think it even featured male strippers. And now it's calmed down, turned the bar into an open kitchen, and turns out some pretty non-controversial Mexican food. We've visited three or four times, and they do a pretty good job on the food and service. The decor is above average as well, with some departures from the standard "I'm in a courtyard in old Mexico" look that you've seen so many times. Burritos, enchiladas, tamales, and the like have been good. The chile relleno (my favorite dish) is above average. Pretty good margaritas on the rocks. Our last visit, I happened to notice the dozens of baskets of tortilla chips, filled and ready to serve, piled high on shelves in several open storage rooms. That's an odd touch---not because they fill the baskets so far ahead of time, but because you can see the stockpiles. Maybe there's a better way to do this. Overall, another reasonable and satisfying fix for our craving for Mexican food.
(3)
Nic R.
The service was good, but the food was very disappointing. The wait staff was attentive, and the $2 draft beers were good, as was the fresh chips and salsa. Everything else about the food here just fell flat. This place obviously takes the cheap road when it comes to the food, the guacamole wasn't fresh, and the enchiladas and chili rellenos had the texture of a frozen microwave dinner from 7-11. Even the rice was an unnatural yellow with indiscriminate bits of veggie matter and tasted like something found in a box from the dollar store. The food here sucks, plain and simple. As for the mariachi of the namesake? They don't even get this right. It's more like square dancing music than what one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. Not worth it, stay away.
My 3rd trip here, and I still can't understand how this place gets such rave reviews. It simply cannot be that we were there on an "off night" because it's just not possible for any quality restaurant to have so many off nights. Queso was runny like out of a Frito-Lay can, entrees were all bland...and, as always, the smoke from the kitchen was so thick it burned our eyes and permeated all our clothes. I won't be coming here again.
(2)
Kimberly C.
My, my, my .................. I had high hopes of this place after reading some of the reviews. To be honest, my enchilada plate was not that bad (probably would have warranted 3 stars) BUT they seriously jacked up my plantains. How do you mess up plantains??????????? The were soggy, lacked the nice crisp edges, and soaked in oil. I tried to take them home and re-fry them, but they had been soaking in the oil too long and were just ruined. What a waste of $4! So, I ordered take out for lunch last week, and the chicken enchiladas were not bad, although I have had better. They did not have nearly enough sauce on them, the chicken was a little on the dry side, and I hated the beans. I would drive the extra miles and put up with the poor service from another reviewed restaurant on the other side of town before I come back here.
(2)
Seetha K.
This is a really nice restaurant, good for a special occasion. A little pricey for a regular night out. I didn't think it was worth the price. But really nice and attentive staff and beautiful ambiance. Drinks were good too - would go back for the bar area and Guava margarita.
(3)
Linda A.
I absolutely LOVE this place! Don't let the "Mexican" label fool you. The food is more Latin than Mexican with an excellent Cuban pork dish that is out of this world. Awesome seafood and the ambiance is wonderful. Any day I can go to Mariachi is a good day.
(5)
John D.
Don't know what these other folks are complaining about. GREAT place Food = A- Service= B+ Value = B+
(4)
Susan J.
We ate there last Sunday. They were very busy but we still had excellent service from Ana. We ate Lomo Saltado and Pollo Saltado and then had flan for dessert. With 2 drings apiece our check came to $60. Great value for money.
(4)
Sara S.
The service here was great. The tres leches cake was amazing!! Most of the food was good although generally over salted. However, stick with the Mexican food. We thought we'd try the paella - very wrong choice. It was horrible. I don't think it should even be called "paella". It should have been called "over-salted and yet still bland seafood over soupy Mahatma saffron rice packet". That said, the service was great. They did reconcile for the bad paella, then delivered that amazing dessert. I would go back again, but I think I'd get the enchiladas or the burrito!
(4)
Dawn R.
I stopped in for lunch while attending a conference in Frederick, opting to go out and find something other than the boxed lunch provided by the conference organizers. Looking back, I probably should have stayed at the conference center. Don't get me wrong.....the service was great (of course, I was the only one in the place), and the food was OK....but it was just that, OK. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, expecting something really nice and creamy/cheesy. What I got was a LOT of spinach, with very little flavor from the sauce. The beans were alright but nothing special, as was the rice. Their dessert list didn't have anything that really appealed to me, although the server insisted that their chocolate flan was amazing. Maybe if I tried something different, I would have liked it better, but the food I got really just didn't impress me that much.
(3)
Michael R.
OUTSTANDING!! This place is delicious! This is our second time coming here, and once again, everything was great. We are from California so we have a pretty high standard for Mexican food. Of course, nothing compares to California Mexican food, but this is pretty close. As far as east coast Mexican, 5STARS! I had the chihuahua platter...marvelous!! My wife had the beef enchiladas....delicious!!! The chips and salsa are on point and the habeñero salsa (by request) pretty hot and delicious for a restaurant. The service was excellent and the prices reasonable. Definitely recommend to all. Best Mexican/Spanish food in Frederick!!!
(5)
Rose B.
After finding this place on yelp, (it is a gem), I met a friend for an enjoyable evening and awesome meal. Fajitas and chimichanga's with complimentary salsa and chips... and an amazing fried ice cream. It was happy hour.. but we didnt add drinks, although the prices were right! Very child friendly with coloring pages and a SUPER nice wait staff. I will definitely be BACK!
(5)
Jason C.
My wife and I love this place. It is always first on the list when we want Mexican food. She loves the seafood soup and I love the fajita trio. Staff is very friendly and they usually have a good beer special once a day. Usually a couple times a month stop for us.
(5)
Sheri W.
Day after Christmas lunch...fabulous! Great service, great food, great atmosphere!
(5)
Victoria Z.
Been here a few times and for what a large place it is, it's almost always empty. Only a table or two has been full. Maybe I just eat on weird days and times... Service has always been very good, save last night when I felt a bit pressured to get an appetizer, she asked us so many times! I'm not a pushover though! I just wanted my entree, plus I always fill up on the complimentary chips and salsa. Food has always been pretty good, my only complaint is my crunchy tacos quickly turn not-so-crunchy because they are placed between the rice and other toppings. Putting the sides on a separate plate would make a huge difference!
(3)
Linda R.
First impression walking in the door...not a Mexican restaurant. Looked like it should be a 1950's cafeteria or a rented hall at a VFW. Decor, or lack there of was bland and very sterile looking. The white table cloths were so very out of place and didn't help. The Cadillac margarita was very good. Chips were good and the salsa was very fresh tasting but could have used some cilantro. I ordered the Carnitas...well that is what it was called. Not like any carnita I have ever ordered (although I am from the west coast). The pork was very greasy and tasteless. The black beans were okay, but nothing special. I was so very disappointed. We moved here a few months ago and this was the first poor meal that we have eaten in Frederick. I think we will stick to the downtown area where we have yet to go wrong.
(1)
David O.
Don't. The experience was generally disappointing. Salsa was awful. Clearly they had just added some pico de gallo to some canned tomato sauce and called it salsa. I had "Plato rojo" which was chile rellanos. It said 2 rellanos would be on the plate but it was one poblano halved and battered as individual rellanos. The poblano was tough because it was undercooked. I won't return.
(2)
Mark G.
Maryland has a few good Mexican/latin american resturaunts. El Derado in Easton, Mangos Grill in Laurel, and now Meriachi's in Frederick. We have eaten in most of the highly praised establishments in MD and DC, and they are merely pretentious imitations. This place was a surprise. The margaritas are OK, but the food was quietly authentic, with sophisticated spices. If you have to, there is the TexMex, but I had a cuban styled pork dish, and others had a cerviche based salad. (Salsa needs help.) The plantains were prepared in a methods different from our cuban friend's method, but neverless excellent. The bill was also a surprise, given MD/DC. PLAN TO RETURN!
(4)
Joe S.
Our go to place for Mexican. Best in the area. Kid friendly and the staff is great. Love the food. 5 star margaritas.
(5)
Kate O.
No no no. Worst chicken burrito ever. Watery. Beans and rice had no taste. Service was fine. Act service was great. Food was not.
(1)
Natalie B.
I've lived in Frederick for about 6 months, and this is the only restaurant that I've been to more than once. Very good Mexican and Spanish food, and I love their Margaritas! The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so you want to get a bit dressed up when you go here. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Try the sweet corn tamales as an appetizer, you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Rick P.
I've eaten here a few times. Sunday brunch was fantastic. Late night or dinner rush, crowded or empty, food and service has always been great. When I pick the restaurant (I usually defer to my wife), this is where we go. Tortillas are perfect, salsa good, Guacamole was very good, typical dishes (enchiladas, burritos, rellenos) are all done right. Portions are gourmet sized; not too big, great presentation, and delicious. Clean and friendly; more authentic than the chain Mexican restaurants. Not what I consider "authentic" Mexican (giant hot plates overflowing with cheese and sauce served by waiters that "no hablo engles") but better than the chains and as close as I've found in Maryland.
(5)
Colleen F.
We come here a lot. The servers and staff are always friendly. The food is very good. I love their guacamole and the tamales de Elote. If I had one recommendation to the restaurant it would be to change their salsa recipe. This one is too watery.
(4)
Codemaster G.
My 1st time there, will not go back. Chips and salsa were ok, salsa was very watery though I ordered the Seafood Paella and let me tell you, it was NOT good! I guess I should have known when i asked the waitress if it was made the same day and her reply: "oh, they make it fresh to order". Paella takes at least a couple hours to make, it cannot be made to order. I gave it a try anyways ... mistake. The rice in the dish was the same as the side dish rice served with most all other orders. The seafood in the dish was WAY overcooked - the shrimp and squid rubbery, the mussels were tough, the clam (single clam) was just mush and disgusting. There was also sand in the one of the mussels! Worst of all, it was so salty!!! WHY??? Lesson Learned: only order stuff that you know the kitchen has to make fresh, a dish like this is almost certainly gong to be "microwave magic'" or what you might expect from a cafeteria chow line. I gave 2 stars only because the chips were ok, and $2 draft beer during happy hour.
(2)
Crystal W.
We ate here on a friends recommendation and were not disappointed. I had a platter that had beef and chicken alongside pinto beans and rice pilaf. For an extra $3 I could add a soda and flan (which I did). The steak was a little chewy but for the price I feel it was fair as it was a decent sized portion. We also ordered the queso (which was yellow, not white, if that concerns you). We also got the habenero hot sauce, which was delicious and yes, very hot. I walked out of there stuffed and happy.
(4)
Justa D.
Food is good. Same as any of the other Mexican joints around. The margaritas are good. Nothing special, but good. No complaints.
(4)
Ledbetter A.
So I took some friends back to Mariachi tonight. I was definitely not disappointed. Great place. A must try in Frederick.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Melissa L.
I think the menu is pretty extensive. I have been there 3 times, always good food, good service. There is nothing I would change.
(5)Tracy B.
I have been to Mariachi's several times since their opening, and it has gone a little downhill. I have to agree with another reviewer about this restaurant having an identity crisis - I enjoy that it has an upscale feel to it, but the food is not as good as it used to be. If you are going to charge me an extra $4 for a dish I could get at another mexican restaurant, I expect it to be better. I ate there last night with a friend and it was the worst dining experience I have ever had there. First off, the restaurant was completely empty, which was bizarre because every other time I've been there it has been pretty full. They were having some kind of issue with their speaker system....there would be music playing, it would randomly get louder and softer, then it would just stop completely for 10 minutes of random silence. That made for an awkward dining experience. The chips were not warm, and the salsa was not as I had remembered it to be on previous visits. It was really bland; just a bunch of chopped up vegetables swimming in tomato juice. We each ordered the chicken fajitas, and for $15, they weren't that great. There are other places around that serve better fajitas for less money. Tortillas get soggy because they are served on the same plate as the sides, instead of being served in that little container that keeps them warm. The drinks and queso were good, but the rest left me feeling underwhelmed. Probably won't be going back any time soon.
(3)jc t.
This place is like a more expensive taco bell with worse service. For a comparable burrito I would go down the road to 7/11 and microwave one for a buck. This has to be the worst "Mexican" food I have ever had. It's as if someone were playing a joke.
(1)Ed W.
First time here, kept driving by and finally decided to give it a try glad we did. I had the Fajitas Trio and it was great. Did not have the normal "chain Resturant" spices on it. The chocolate mousse was also very good. Seemed to be home made.
(3)Luisita S.
Overpriced "Mexican" food. What a rip-off. Watered down drinks. The one thing in its favor--plenty of parking. And service is friendly.
(1)Meredith M.
I'm from Texas and this is the best Tex-Mex-style food I've found in Frederick by far. Atmosphere leaves a little to be desired - I'd prefer more Christmas lights and fewer white tablecloths - although the Mariachi band is a nice touch. In terms of the food, it's mildly seasoned but delicious. Chips and good house-made salsa flow freely. Fajitas and spinach enchiladas are very good, the ceviche is great. My daughter had the carne asada, which I thought wasn't quite as good but she liked it. Occasionally the food has been oversalted, but not lately. Margaritas come by the glass or the pitcher and are quite satisfactory (and if memory serves, very economical as well). They will sub out things without complaint and the service is always really friendly.
(5)Lori M.
Pure bliss...that's how I felt about the spinach enchiladas. Made with cheese and fresh spinach and topped with a creamy spinach sauce and served with white rice, beans, and pico de gallo (not sure if I've spelled everything correctly), it was wonderful. It was a lunch special that also came with a garden salad and a beverage for $9.99 (there were also other entree choices available with the special).. I'm not usually a big fan of Mexican food, but I hope to return here. I'm hoping they make the spinach enchiladas a part of the regular menu. Vegetarians and non vegetarians will both enjoy this. Unlike the other review, I did not find the food salty (and I don't usually use much salt, so I would have noticed). It was also not spicy, which suited my taste--I guess you'd have to tell them to spice it up if that's what you like. The salsa served with chips was very good flavorwise, but runny, making it difficult to not make a mess. Other people I was with ordered different dishes and all seemed pleased. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(5)Bill C.
A nice mix of kinda classy - while still being casual. A mix of Tex-Mex and Spanish foods. Been here many times and never had a bad meal. The service has been great. Simply - good food, good service, good price - I'll keep going back.
(4)Belle M.
While my standard is high for good Mexican food (being from the S.F. Bay area and currently living in L.A.) I have to say I've never been to a place where all I could taste was salt in my food. I had the carne asada plate. Portions are huge but it fell short on the taste. My first bite was ok but as I took my second and third bite, it got saltier (the hot sauce could not even mask the taste). My friends who got the duck and the paella had the same complaint. The only thing that was tasty were the plantains. However, I would give them an extra star for friendly service and nice decor.
(2)Lisa M.
Ordered carry-out - the Fiesta Chicken was DELICIOUS!! The chicken is So tender and juicy. I tried not to eat the tortilla, but it was so good with the rest of it, I gobbled it right up. I will have to try something else the next time. They are very pleasant when you come in, the atmosphere seems quite comfortable yet elegant at the same time.
(5)M E.
We love to go this place for the fajitas, tortilla chips, drink specials and mariachi singers . We have tried numerous dishes and our favorite is the fajitas, but sometimes the food is not consistent in that it is often oversalted and not flavorful. The paella is not something that I would recommend, but the fajitas and jambalaya are pretty good. Service is good.
(3)Patti M.
not sure why the great ratings on yelp, maybe i should have ordered one of the interesting seafood dishes. i ordered veggie fajitas, they were just ok, no real flavor, lots of veggies tho. chips/salsa....just ok. don't really want the Mariachi men singing at my table either, maybe if i had kids they would enjoy but i don't! i probably won't return.
(3)Brian H.
I have been trying various Mexican restaurants in the area, and this one is now my favorite. The salsa and guacamole taste fresh and well seasoned. The beef is not ground beef and is well seasoned as is the chicken. They have homemade habanero salsa which is extremely hot and tasty. The chile relleno and tamales are quite tasty. Overall, I think this is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around and would highly recommend it. The service was very good as well.
(4)Simone R.
Ok, my new fav place!! Great food, awesome service, atmosphere very sexy at night!! Rib eye fajiata are the bomb!! Chips are fresh and the food taste like your Grandma prepared!! Authentic Spanish cuisine!!
(5)Katie F.
Ill be honest, when I think Mexican food I don't think "fine dining". I want good food in casual atmosphere where I can really enjoy a marg and little to mexican ditties. This place was an odd mix of not being any of these things. The place has white tablecloths and linens---but then you get a spiral plastic menu. Either go casual like the menu, or nice like the table styling--you can't be all things at once. The chips and salsa lacked any real appeal--the salsa tasted very vinegar like infact. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, and they were good--the spinach was certainly fresh. However the side were boring, bland black beans and white rice. So, while the service was great, this place suffers an identity crisis. If I were them I would go casual----make it more festive--that what most people want in a mexican place.
(3)Arthur W.
Calling this a Mexican restaurant isn't "Kosher". It serves Spanish and Seafood dishes also. And they do it quite well. The House Margaritas are cheap, and they hit the spot. There's usually have discount certificates at restaurant.com
(4)Karl M.
A somewhat upscale Spanish/Mexican place. The food and service have been excellent every time we've been here. Stand out items include the masitas and the seafood enchiladas. If looking for cheaper Mexican I also recommend the nearby El Ranchero.
(4)Ted W.
Been there twice now. Chips were fresh one time and not hot the second time. Salsa appeared home made and was okay, but not exceptional. The place looks like it used to be a bar or strip club based on the layout (not that I frequent either). The well dressed tables clash with the rundown look of the low ceiling panels. I had the fish tacos and they were good, but not top tier. 2nd visit had shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada that were good. On first visit our waitress was apparently having some sort of personal issue and was virtually throwing things around and very pissy. 2nd visit was fine, different waitress.
(3)Melissa M.
We moved to the East Coast from CA a few years ago and had a hard time finding good Mexican food in the area. Surprised to say that we are quite pleased with the selection and quality of the food here at Mariachi! We go on average once every two to three months -- great place for date night, or to take the kids. Might need reservations on a special day, as we tried to go on Valentine's and couldn't even get in the door! Good drinks, too!
(4)Lisa F.
Don't waste your time. Stop at Taco Bell and save your money. The crispy taco's were soggy. It took 45 min to get our food and the order was wrong. The rice was like rice a roni
(1)Eva W.
Our group ordered appetizers of Ceviche, Queso Fundo and Tamales. Ceviche dressing was good but the fish was "over cooked" meaning that it macerated too long so it was rubbery. The tamales were all sweet corn meal and had corn husks inside. The Queso Fundo was melted thick cheese with very flavorless chorizo. Entrees were equally unimpressive. There really wasn't much to like about the place except that our waiter was very friendly and served us well.
(1)B C.
I was not impressed by this food at all. The rice tasted like Rice A Roni. If you want good Mexican food try Fajita Grande on 40. There's a reason Mariachis parking lot is ALWAYS empty.
(1)Jeff K.
I frequent this place and I have yet to not enjoy the food and experience. I live in Hagerstown but yet still make the trip. Their Spinach Quesadilla are my favorite. Not sure what they do to make them so delicious but it's hard for me to order anything else (though I have) when I come here. I'm also a fan of their chips and salsa. If you're in the mood for great service and great food, I would highly recommend them.
(4)Mary B.
We eat here quite a bit. It's HUGE and no one is ever in there, which we kind of like. Your food comes out fast, the staff couldn't be nicer and it's really good. I always try and get something different and I always like it. My hubby and I call this our go-to mexican place. Yum yum!
(4)Jeff B.
This is probably the best Mexican restaurant, or at least in the top two or three, in Frederick. The food is fresh, the staff is exceptional, and the mood of the place is great. It's a restaurant you can go with a group of friends but can also take kids. It's a nice balance between family friendly and more grown-up. The portions are generous and the margaritas are probably the best in town. Highly recommended...
(5)John B.
The steak I had was great! The staff was also very friendly. This was my first time here, but I am sure I will be back.
(4)Lloyd W.
Don't expect to find the "usual" Mexican food menu or decor when visiting Mariachi. Sure, you can get a burrito and other typical offerings but this menu offers those and a whole lot more. Bring a couple of friends to share and explore some of the Spanish and other offerings (the number of seafood items on the menu especially surprised me). I had the Fajita Omlette off the brunch menu and found it sizable, well prepared and attractive as were the accompanying potatoes (fresh fruit is also served with this entrée). My order was served relatively quickly and the temperatures were good. Again, even the decor is unusual. Instead of yellow walls and red trim, Mariachi is bright and airy with a definite upscale feel. I found 2 groups of around 10 people but their presence did not negatively impact the number of smaller parties who seemed to be enjoying the place. The first impression was excellent thanks to a smiling, polite and knowledgeable host. My server (Yiduzka) was personable and checked back regularly. The kitchen staff hanging around outside the restrooms texting/emails was a bit of a surprise and a bit disconcerting but perhaps I'm the only one to notice. Give it a try when you're in the neighborhood and looking for something a bit different. You'll spend a few bucks more but with the range of menu and ambiance of Mariachi, you may find it worth the experience.
(3)Bob S.
This is the best Mexican food in Maryland. I especially love the Chi Con Queso... So special it must have a secret ingredient! Bob
(5)Andre B.
Some of the best Carne asada I have ever had in my life! Great variety. Staff was very nice and helpful. Good place for group dinner. Will go back when in the area!
(5)Beata K.
Came here for Valentines day and it was somewhat of a zoo. The term "reservations" had no meaning what so ever and it seems as though the Hispanic folks got seated first as they could talk their way into it with the host. Aside from our reservations being ignored the place is pretty good. The menu is split between Mexican and Spanish food so we got the fried plantains, lomo saltado and fajitas. The fajitas (steak & chicken) were great an the lomo saltado was pretty good too but it was a tad salty. The restaurant is pretty big and had a nice atmosphere. Will definitely come back and try a few more items off the menu and will hopefully have a better experience in terms of being seated.
(3)Bill C.
A nice mix of kinda classy - while still being casual. A mix of Tex-Mex and Spanish foods. Been here many times and never had a bad meal. The service has been great. Simply - good food, good service, good price - I'll keep going back.
(4)Luisita S.
Overpriced "Mexican" food. What a rip-off. Watered down drinks. The one thing in its favor--plenty of parking. And service is friendly.
(1)Melissa M.
We moved to the East Coast from CA a few years ago and had a hard time finding good Mexican food in the area. Surprised to say that we are quite pleased with the selection and quality of the food here at Mariachi! We go on average once every two to three months -- great place for date night, or to take the kids. Might need reservations on a special day, as we tried to go on Valentine's and couldn't even get in the door! Good drinks, too!
(4)Steve B.
Good Mexican food, on the busier side of Frederick. The building that houses Mariachi has lived many lives. My older brother drank underage there, at the Gold Dust Inn. Many management changes later, I drank and danced there at the Rabbit's Foot, or several other names. At some point, I think it even featured male strippers. And now it's calmed down, turned the bar into an open kitchen, and turns out some pretty non-controversial Mexican food. We've visited three or four times, and they do a pretty good job on the food and service. The decor is above average as well, with some departures from the standard "I'm in a courtyard in old Mexico" look that you've seen so many times. Burritos, enchiladas, tamales, and the like have been good. The chile relleno (my favorite dish) is above average. Pretty good margaritas on the rocks. Our last visit, I happened to notice the dozens of baskets of tortilla chips, filled and ready to serve, piled high on shelves in several open storage rooms. That's an odd touch---not because they fill the baskets so far ahead of time, but because you can see the stockpiles. Maybe there's a better way to do this. Overall, another reasonable and satisfying fix for our craving for Mexican food.
(3)Nic R.
The service was good, but the food was very disappointing. The wait staff was attentive, and the $2 draft beers were good, as was the fresh chips and salsa. Everything else about the food here just fell flat. This place obviously takes the cheap road when it comes to the food, the guacamole wasn't fresh, and the enchiladas and chili rellenos had the texture of a frozen microwave dinner from 7-11. Even the rice was an unnatural yellow with indiscriminate bits of veggie matter and tasted like something found in a box from the dollar store. The food here sucks, plain and simple. As for the mariachi of the namesake? They don't even get this right. It's more like square dancing music than what one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. Not worth it, stay away.
(1)Steven B.
This is NOT YOUR TYPICAL Mexican restaurant for two reasons. 1. The décor and atmosphere is upscale. We are talking white tablecloth fancy. 2. The menu is equally divided between Mexican and Spanish choices. This variety is a welcome change to your typical Mexican joint. They ARE YOUR TYPICAL place for two reasons. 1. If you are at this type of restaurant the standard drink is the margarita. I've tried three different versions here and they are all just fine but nothing special. 2. On my last visit I ordered the SACRAMENTO PLATTER for $13.99. It included a Beef Enchilada, Chile Relleno and a hard shell Chicken Taco along with the usual accompaniments. It was hot and tasty and just fine but once again nothing special. I've visited here more than once and the customer service has always been fine. I've found this place to be a solid three star experience.
(3)Codemaster G.
My 1st time there, will not go back. Chips and salsa were ok, salsa was very watery though I ordered the Seafood Paella and let me tell you, it was NOT good! I guess I should have known when i asked the waitress if it was made the same day and her reply: "oh, they make it fresh to order". Paella takes at least a couple hours to make, it cannot be made to order. I gave it a try anyways ... mistake. The rice in the dish was the same as the side dish rice served with most all other orders. The seafood in the dish was WAY overcooked - the shrimp and squid rubbery, the mussels were tough, the clam (single clam) was just mush and disgusting. There was also sand in the one of the mussels! Worst of all, it was so salty!!! WHY??? Lesson Learned: only order stuff that you know the kitchen has to make fresh, a dish like this is almost certainly gong to be "microwave magic'" or what you might expect from a cafeteria chow line. I gave 2 stars only because the chips were ok, and $2 draft beer during happy hour.
(2)Justa D.
Food is good. Same as any of the other Mexican joints around. The margaritas are good. Nothing special, but good. No complaints.
(4)Dawn R.
I stopped in for lunch while attending a conference in Frederick, opting to go out and find something other than the boxed lunch provided by the conference organizers. Looking back, I probably should have stayed at the conference center. Don't get me wrong.....the service was great (of course, I was the only one in the place), and the food was OK....but it was just that, OK. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, expecting something really nice and creamy/cheesy. What I got was a LOT of spinach, with very little flavor from the sauce. The beans were alright but nothing special, as was the rice. Their dessert list didn't have anything that really appealed to me, although the server insisted that their chocolate flan was amazing. Maybe if I tried something different, I would have liked it better, but the food I got really just didn't impress me that much.
(3)Ledbetter A.
So I took some friends back to Mariachi tonight. I was definitely not disappointed. Great place. A must try in Frederick.
(5)Rose B.
After finding this place on yelp, (it is a gem), I met a friend for an enjoyable evening and awesome meal. Fajitas and chimichanga's with complimentary salsa and chips... and an amazing fried ice cream. It was happy hour.. but we didnt add drinks, although the prices were right! Very child friendly with coloring pages and a SUPER nice wait staff. I will definitely be BACK!
(5)Michael R.
OUTSTANDING!! This place is delicious! This is our second time coming here, and once again, everything was great. We are from California so we have a pretty high standard for Mexican food. Of course, nothing compares to California Mexican food, but this is pretty close. As far as east coast Mexican, 5STARS! I had the chihuahua platter...marvelous!! My wife had the beef enchiladas....delicious!!! The chips and salsa are on point and the habeñero salsa (by request) pretty hot and delicious for a restaurant. The service was excellent and the prices reasonable. Definitely recommend to all. Best Mexican/Spanish food in Frederick!!!
(5)Jason C.
My wife and I love this place. It is always first on the list when we want Mexican food. She loves the seafood soup and I love the fajita trio. Staff is very friendly and they usually have a good beer special once a day. Usually a couple times a month stop for us.
(5)Sheri W.
Day after Christmas lunch...fabulous! Great service, great food, great atmosphere!
(5)David O.
Don't. The experience was generally disappointing. Salsa was awful. Clearly they had just added some pico de gallo to some canned tomato sauce and called it salsa. I had "Plato rojo" which was chile rellanos. It said 2 rellanos would be on the plate but it was one poblano halved and battered as individual rellanos. The poblano was tough because it was undercooked. I won't return.
(2)Linda R.
First impression walking in the door...not a Mexican restaurant. Looked like it should be a 1950's cafeteria or a rented hall at a VFW. Decor, or lack there of was bland and very sterile looking. The white table cloths were so very out of place and didn't help. The Cadillac margarita was very good. Chips were good and the salsa was very fresh tasting but could have used some cilantro. I ordered the Carnitas...well that is what it was called. Not like any carnita I have ever ordered (although I am from the west coast). The pork was very greasy and tasteless. The black beans were okay, but nothing special. I was so very disappointed. We moved here a few months ago and this was the first poor meal that we have eaten in Frederick. I think we will stick to the downtown area where we have yet to go wrong.
(1)Kimberly C.
My, my, my .................. I had high hopes of this place after reading some of the reviews. To be honest, my enchilada plate was not that bad (probably would have warranted 3 stars) BUT they seriously jacked up my plantains. How do you mess up plantains??????????? The were soggy, lacked the nice crisp edges, and soaked in oil. I tried to take them home and re-fry them, but they had been soaking in the oil too long and were just ruined. What a waste of $4! So, I ordered take out for lunch last week, and the chicken enchiladas were not bad, although I have had better. They did not have nearly enough sauce on them, the chicken was a little on the dry side, and I hated the beans. I would drive the extra miles and put up with the poor service from another reviewed restaurant on the other side of town before I come back here.
(2)Jeff K.
I frequent this place and I have yet to not enjoy the food and experience. I live in Hagerstown but yet still make the trip. Their Spinach Quesadilla are my favorite. Not sure what they do to make them so delicious but it's hard for me to order anything else (though I have) when I come here. I'm also a fan of their chips and salsa. If you're in the mood for great service and great food, I would highly recommend them.
(4)Sara S.
The service here was great. The tres leches cake was amazing!! Most of the food was good although generally over salted. However, stick with the Mexican food. We thought we'd try the paella - very wrong choice. It was horrible. I don't think it should even be called "paella". It should have been called "over-salted and yet still bland seafood over soupy Mahatma saffron rice packet". That said, the service was great. They did reconcile for the bad paella, then delivered that amazing dessert. I would go back again, but I think I'd get the enchiladas or the burrito!
(4)Katie F.
Ill be honest, when I think Mexican food I don't think "fine dining". I want good food in casual atmosphere where I can really enjoy a marg and little to mexican ditties. This place was an odd mix of not being any of these things. The place has white tablecloths and linens---but then you get a spiral plastic menu. Either go casual like the menu, or nice like the table styling--you can't be all things at once. The chips and salsa lacked any real appeal--the salsa tasted very vinegar like infact. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, and they were good--the spinach was certainly fresh. However the side were boring, bland black beans and white rice. So, while the service was great, this place suffers an identity crisis. If I were them I would go casual----make it more festive--that what most people want in a mexican place.
(3)Tracy B.
I have been to Mariachi's several times since their opening, and it has gone a little downhill. I have to agree with another reviewer about this restaurant having an identity crisis - I enjoy that it has an upscale feel to it, but the food is not as good as it used to be. If you are going to charge me an extra $4 for a dish I could get at another mexican restaurant, I expect it to be better. I ate there last night with a friend and it was the worst dining experience I have ever had there. First off, the restaurant was completely empty, which was bizarre because every other time I've been there it has been pretty full. They were having some kind of issue with their speaker system....there would be music playing, it would randomly get louder and softer, then it would just stop completely for 10 minutes of random silence. That made for an awkward dining experience. The chips were not warm, and the salsa was not as I had remembered it to be on previous visits. It was really bland; just a bunch of chopped up vegetables swimming in tomato juice. We each ordered the chicken fajitas, and for $15, they weren't that great. There are other places around that serve better fajitas for less money. Tortillas get soggy because they are served on the same plate as the sides, instead of being served in that little container that keeps them warm. The drinks and queso were good, but the rest left me feeling underwhelmed. Probably won't be going back any time soon.
(3)jc t.
This place is like a more expensive taco bell with worse service. For a comparable burrito I would go down the road to 7/11 and microwave one for a buck. This has to be the worst "Mexican" food I have ever had. It's as if someone were playing a joke.
(1)Ed W.
First time here, kept driving by and finally decided to give it a try glad we did. I had the Fajitas Trio and it was great. Did not have the normal "chain Resturant" spices on it. The chocolate mousse was also very good. Seemed to be home made.
(3)Simone R.
Ok, my new fav place!! Great food, awesome service, atmosphere very sexy at night!! Rib eye fajiata are the bomb!! Chips are fresh and the food taste like your Grandma prepared!! Authentic Spanish cuisine!!
(5)Mark G.
Maryland has a few good Mexican/latin american resturaunts. El Derado in Easton, Mangos Grill in Laurel, and now Meriachi's in Frederick. We have eaten in most of the highly praised establishments in MD and DC, and they are merely pretentious imitations. This place was a surprise. The margaritas are OK, but the food was quietly authentic, with sophisticated spices. If you have to, there is the TexMex, but I had a cuban styled pork dish, and others had a cerviche based salad. (Salsa needs help.) The plantains were prepared in a methods different from our cuban friend's method, but neverless excellent. The bill was also a surprise, given MD/DC. PLAN TO RETURN!
(4)Joe S.
Our go to place for Mexican. Best in the area. Kid friendly and the staff is great. Love the food. 5 star margaritas.
(5)Kate O.
No no no. Worst chicken burrito ever. Watery. Beans and rice had no taste. Service was fine. Act service was great. Food was not.
(1)Natalie B.
I've lived in Frederick for about 6 months, and this is the only restaurant that I've been to more than once. Very good Mexican and Spanish food, and I love their Margaritas! The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so you want to get a bit dressed up when you go here. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Try the sweet corn tamales as an appetizer, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Rick P.
I've eaten here a few times. Sunday brunch was fantastic. Late night or dinner rush, crowded or empty, food and service has always been great. When I pick the restaurant (I usually defer to my wife), this is where we go. Tortillas are perfect, salsa good, Guacamole was very good, typical dishes (enchiladas, burritos, rellenos) are all done right. Portions are gourmet sized; not too big, great presentation, and delicious. Clean and friendly; more authentic than the chain Mexican restaurants. Not what I consider "authentic" Mexican (giant hot plates overflowing with cheese and sauce served by waiters that "no hablo engles") but better than the chains and as close as I've found in Maryland.
(5)Colleen F.
We come here a lot. The servers and staff are always friendly. The food is very good. I love their guacamole and the tamales de Elote. If I had one recommendation to the restaurant it would be to change their salsa recipe. This one is too watery.
(4)Victoria Z.
Been here a few times and for what a large place it is, it's almost always empty. Only a table or two has been full. Maybe I just eat on weird days and times... Service has always been very good, save last night when I felt a bit pressured to get an appetizer, she asked us so many times! I'm not a pushover though! I just wanted my entree, plus I always fill up on the complimentary chips and salsa. Food has always been pretty good, my only complaint is my crunchy tacos quickly turn not-so-crunchy because they are placed between the rice and other toppings. Putting the sides on a separate plate would make a huge difference!
(3)Seetha K.
This is a really nice restaurant, good for a special occasion. A little pricey for a regular night out. I didn't think it was worth the price. But really nice and attentive staff and beautiful ambiance. Drinks were good too - would go back for the bar area and Guava margarita.
(3)Linda A.
I absolutely LOVE this place! Don't let the "Mexican" label fool you. The food is more Latin than Mexican with an excellent Cuban pork dish that is out of this world. Awesome seafood and the ambiance is wonderful. Any day I can go to Mariachi is a good day.
(5)John D.
Don't know what these other folks are complaining about. GREAT place Food = A- Service= B+ Value = B+
(4)Susan J.
We ate there last Sunday. They were very busy but we still had excellent service from Ana. We ate Lomo Saltado and Pollo Saltado and then had flan for dessert. With 2 drings apiece our check came to $60. Great value for money.
(4)Arthur W.
Calling this a Mexican restaurant isn't "Kosher". It serves Spanish and Seafood dishes also. And they do it quite well. The House Margaritas are cheap, and they hit the spot. There's usually have discount certificates at restaurant.com
(4)Karl M.
A somewhat upscale Spanish/Mexican place. The food and service have been excellent every time we've been here. Stand out items include the masitas and the seafood enchiladas. If looking for cheaper Mexican I also recommend the nearby El Ranchero.
(4)Ted W.
Been there twice now. Chips were fresh one time and not hot the second time. Salsa appeared home made and was okay, but not exceptional. The place looks like it used to be a bar or strip club based on the layout (not that I frequent either). The well dressed tables clash with the rundown look of the low ceiling panels. I had the fish tacos and they were good, but not top tier. 2nd visit had shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada that were good. On first visit our waitress was apparently having some sort of personal issue and was virtually throwing things around and very pissy. 2nd visit was fine, different waitress.
(3)Mary B.
We eat here quite a bit. It's HUGE and no one is ever in there, which we kind of like. Your food comes out fast, the staff couldn't be nicer and it's really good. I always try and get something different and I always like it. My hubby and I call this our go-to mexican place. Yum yum!
(4)Lisa F.
Don't waste your time. Stop at Taco Bell and save your money. The crispy taco's were soggy. It took 45 min to get our food and the order was wrong. The rice was like rice a roni
(1)Eva W.
Our group ordered appetizers of Ceviche, Queso Fundo and Tamales. Ceviche dressing was good but the fish was "over cooked" meaning that it macerated too long so it was rubbery. The tamales were all sweet corn meal and had corn husks inside. The Queso Fundo was melted thick cheese with very flavorless chorizo. Entrees were equally unimpressive. There really wasn't much to like about the place except that our waiter was very friendly and served us well.
(1)Melissa L.
I think the menu is pretty extensive. I have been there 3 times, always good food, good service. There is nothing I would change.
(5)B C.
I was not impressed by this food at all. The rice tasted like Rice A Roni. If you want good Mexican food try Fajita Grande on 40. There's a reason Mariachis parking lot is ALWAYS empty.
(1)M E.
We love to go this place for the fajitas, tortilla chips, drink specials and mariachi singers . We have tried numerous dishes and our favorite is the fajitas, but sometimes the food is not consistent in that it is often oversalted and not flavorful. The paella is not something that I would recommend, but the fajitas and jambalaya are pretty good. Service is good.
(3)Patti M.
not sure why the great ratings on yelp, maybe i should have ordered one of the interesting seafood dishes. i ordered veggie fajitas, they were just ok, no real flavor, lots of veggies tho. chips/salsa....just ok. don't really want the Mariachi men singing at my table either, maybe if i had kids they would enjoy but i don't! i probably won't return.
(3)Lori M.
Pure bliss...that's how I felt about the spinach enchiladas. Made with cheese and fresh spinach and topped with a creamy spinach sauce and served with white rice, beans, and pico de gallo (not sure if I've spelled everything correctly), it was wonderful. It was a lunch special that also came with a garden salad and a beverage for $9.99 (there were also other entree choices available with the special).. I'm not usually a big fan of Mexican food, but I hope to return here. I'm hoping they make the spinach enchiladas a part of the regular menu. Vegetarians and non vegetarians will both enjoy this. Unlike the other review, I did not find the food salty (and I don't usually use much salt, so I would have noticed). It was also not spicy, which suited my taste--I guess you'd have to tell them to spice it up if that's what you like. The salsa served with chips was very good flavorwise, but runny, making it difficult to not make a mess. Other people I was with ordered different dishes and all seemed pleased. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(5)Meredith M.
I'm from Texas and this is the best Tex-Mex-style food I've found in Frederick by far. Atmosphere leaves a little to be desired - I'd prefer more Christmas lights and fewer white tablecloths - although the Mariachi band is a nice touch. In terms of the food, it's mildly seasoned but delicious. Chips and good house-made salsa flow freely. Fajitas and spinach enchiladas are very good, the ceviche is great. My daughter had the carne asada, which I thought wasn't quite as good but she liked it. Occasionally the food has been oversalted, but not lately. Margaritas come by the glass or the pitcher and are quite satisfactory (and if memory serves, very economical as well). They will sub out things without complaint and the service is always really friendly.
(5)Belle M.
While my standard is high for good Mexican food (being from the S.F. Bay area and currently living in L.A.) I have to say I've never been to a place where all I could taste was salt in my food. I had the carne asada plate. Portions are huge but it fell short on the taste. My first bite was ok but as I took my second and third bite, it got saltier (the hot sauce could not even mask the taste). My friends who got the duck and the paella had the same complaint. The only thing that was tasty were the plantains. However, I would give them an extra star for friendly service and nice decor.
(2)Lisa M.
Ordered carry-out - the Fiesta Chicken was DELICIOUS!! The chicken is So tender and juicy. I tried not to eat the tortilla, but it was so good with the rest of it, I gobbled it right up. I will have to try something else the next time. They are very pleasant when you come in, the atmosphere seems quite comfortable yet elegant at the same time.
(5)Brian H.
I have been trying various Mexican restaurants in the area, and this one is now my favorite. The salsa and guacamole taste fresh and well seasoned. The beef is not ground beef and is well seasoned as is the chicken. They have homemade habanero salsa which is extremely hot and tasty. The chile relleno and tamales are quite tasty. Overall, I think this is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around and would highly recommend it. The service was very good as well.
(4)Angie J.
My husband's co-workers have raved about Mariachi and a couple of my Yelp friends have written reviews about this restaurant, so I had to give it a try. I'm from Texas so I miss eating authentic Mexican food. It's a nice, "fancy" restaurant. The hostess and waitstaff are friendly, but wait time to get our drinks and food could be faster. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to get to our table and another 20 minutes to get our food. The food was delicious! I ordered the Sacramento Platter - Beef enchilada, Chili Relleno, and Crunchy Chicken Taco. Cheesy, saucy and hot! It came with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans. My husband ordered the Enchiladas - one chicken and one beef. It was a great surprise that shredded beef was in our enchilada; I'm use to restaurants using ground beef. Awesome!!! I've tried dining at other Mexican restaurants around Frederick. This is the best one - for service, quality and taste. I look forward to dining there again! :)
(4)lisa y.
Friend's former boss had recommended this place years ago. Kept meaning to try it and finally did and we'll be back! Mariachi Margarita is a must!! So good! We had the cerviche for an appetizer, that was seasoned well. Would have liked to have some additional seafood in it, but was good. I had the Santa Fe Platter which had Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Tamale. So tasty and soo much food! Friend had the chimichanga and that looked good. Both meals came with rice, refried beans, sour cream. Had the fried ice cream for desert and that was a must have! Crunchy topping and yummy sauce! Will be back again! Will be trying the fajitas next time, they smelled wonderful as people were getting their orders!
(4)Karri V.
Mariachi is not at all what I expected. In a good way though. We went at dinner on a Friday. They were pretty busy but since it is huge in there with a ton of tables we were seated quickly. The service was good from beginning to end. I kinda of got the feeling they are the type of place that remembers their regulars and actually care if they keep coming back. The food was quite good as well. I had the enchiladas and so did my son. They were not my favorite enchiladas in town but a close 2nd. My mom went with the chicken chimi which she seemed to really enjoy. I probably could have gone without the queso dip as I did not find it very flavorful but, my god, that fried ice cream is what dreams are made of. The waitress said the caramel sauce is homemade, too. All in all, everyone was happy with their food as it was fresh and tasty. We will definitely be back
(4)Andy G.
Food,service and atmosphere were all excellent. We have heard great things about this place from friends and finally made it over. Extremely friendly staff right up front and waiting to seat us. Thank you for a great night out
(5)Bill M.
Came in for brunch on Father's day. I tried the carne asada with eggs. Steak was great, eggs were cooked perfectly (over easy). The only thing I didn't like were the potatoes that came with it. Few undercooked pieces. Tried the tres leches cake. Best dessert ever. We'll be back.
(4)Kristi D.
This place is a far cry for good Mexican food. I am not sure if it is the Spanish fusion, but I found the food flavorless and plain. My husband didn't even eat his burrito because he said it wasn't worth the calories. The chips & salas were good, but the salas was very watery and more like pico. The inside looks more like a fancy restaurant wannabe with its white linen. Not the norm for true Mexican . Service was fine. Needless to say we will not return.
(1)Kacey D.
Have enjoyed several visits here, it's our favorite mexican food in the area. The menu ranges beyond typical texmex. Desserts are a hit, too.
(4)Valerie S.
I came here once and it was good. Very nice inside and friendly. VERY CLEAN. Fancy place for special occasion. The drinks are better than the food. I think I've been to a better Mexican restaurant which is Santa Rosa at Route 40. But that's my opinion. I would come again only for the bar or party occasion.
(4)David D.
Really enjoyed our meal here! Service was prompt and attentive. The tables are set with starched white linens and cut glass stemware. The food was all quite good - Chiles Rellenos, chicken Fajitas, beef Enchiladas, and Poc Chuc Yucateco (Charbroiled pork tenderloin marinated in mayan spices, topped with red onions -- tender and wonderful flavor). My wife had a mango smoothie, and I had a margarita, both of which were excellent. Desserts of flan, chocolate mousse, and Tres Leches really topped things off. Portions were all plentiful, food was flavorful. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the decor is simple - not your run-of-the-mill Mexican-sombraros-and-ponchos-and-bulls. I don't consider this to be negative, unless you are looking for that sort of typical decor. The food more than makes up for any loss of sensory stimulation.
(4)Iris C.
We were very happy to have found a good Mexican place near Ijamsville since we normally go to DC. The staff is Friendly. Very good steak ( Carne Asada). My husband like his beef enchilada. I always notice cleanliness in a food place because a dirty restaurant is a turn off for me. This one passed the test. :)
(4)Frank N.
Very very delicious Burrito Camarones! I'm already wishing I'd ordered another to go!! The Salsa and Chips are great. Thin chips and very fresh chunky salsa... This place doesn't look like much on the outside... In fact, I've driven past it for years without noticing it. Then i read my (real life) friend Victoria's review, and I went and looked for it.... I liked the mood inside!
(4)Brad S.
My 3rd trip here, and I still can't understand how this place gets such rave reviews. It simply cannot be that we were there on an "off night" because it's just not possible for any quality restaurant to have so many off nights. Queso was runny like out of a Frito-Lay can, entrees were all bland...and, as always, the smoke from the kitchen was so thick it burned our eyes and permeated all our clothes. I won't be coming here again.
(2)Patrick V.
Food was absolutely on point. I had the Mexicana Fajitas which had chicken, steak and link chorizo on top of sauteed onions, peppers and a roasted jalepeno. Wonderfully delicious. The only reason I gave four stars versus five was because my waitress, while nice, was not as engaging as I like. I will say, however, I came in at the start of lunch and she was still performing some lunch prep. All in all, wonderful experience. I will absolutely visit Mariachi again.
(4)Crystal W.
We ate here on a friends recommendation and were not disappointed. I had a platter that had beef and chicken alongside pinto beans and rice pilaf. For an extra $3 I could add a soda and flan (which I did). The steak was a little chewy but for the price I feel it was fair as it was a decent sized portion. We also ordered the queso (which was yellow, not white, if that concerns you). We also got the habenero hot sauce, which was delicious and yes, very hot. I walked out of there stuffed and happy.
(4)Cynthia C.
The service is wonderful and all the staff are very pleasant! But the food is far from Mexican! It has no taste, no flavor and everything is watery! Cheese dip taste like liquid butter "I about vomited" we have never been here so we tried it and we will not return! Also their menu is overpriced! Chipotle makes a better taco for $2.50
(1)Angie J.
My husband's co-workers have raved about Mariachi and a couple of my Yelp friends have written reviews about this restaurant, so I had to give it a try. I'm from Texas so I miss eating authentic Mexican food. It's a nice, "fancy" restaurant. The hostess and waitstaff are friendly, but wait time to get our drinks and food could be faster. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to get to our table and another 20 minutes to get our food. The food was delicious! I ordered the Sacramento Platter - Beef enchilada, Chili Relleno, and Crunchy Chicken Taco. Cheesy, saucy and hot! It came with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans. My husband ordered the Enchiladas - one chicken and one beef. It was a great surprise that shredded beef was in our enchilada; I'm use to restaurants using ground beef. Awesome!!! I've tried dining at other Mexican restaurants around Frederick. This is the best one - for service, quality and taste. I look forward to dining there again! :)
(4)lisa y.
Friend's former boss had recommended this place years ago. Kept meaning to try it and finally did and we'll be back! Mariachi Margarita is a must!! So good! We had the cerviche for an appetizer, that was seasoned well. Would have liked to have some additional seafood in it, but was good. I had the Santa Fe Platter which had Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Tamale. So tasty and soo much food! Friend had the chimichanga and that looked good. Both meals came with rice, refried beans, sour cream. Had the fried ice cream for desert and that was a must have! Crunchy topping and yummy sauce! Will be back again! Will be trying the fajitas next time, they smelled wonderful as people were getting their orders!
(4)Karri V.
Mariachi is not at all what I expected. In a good way though. We went at dinner on a Friday. They were pretty busy but since it is huge in there with a ton of tables we were seated quickly. The service was good from beginning to end. I kinda of got the feeling they are the type of place that remembers their regulars and actually care if they keep coming back. The food was quite good as well. I had the enchiladas and so did my son. They were not my favorite enchiladas in town but a close 2nd. My mom went with the chicken chimi which she seemed to really enjoy. I probably could have gone without the queso dip as I did not find it very flavorful but, my god, that fried ice cream is what dreams are made of. The waitress said the caramel sauce is homemade, too. All in all, everyone was happy with their food as it was fresh and tasty. We will definitely be back
(4)Andy G.
Food,service and atmosphere were all excellent. We have heard great things about this place from friends and finally made it over. Extremely friendly staff right up front and waiting to seat us. Thank you for a great night out
(5)Bill M.
Came in for brunch on Father's day. I tried the carne asada with eggs. Steak was great, eggs were cooked perfectly (over easy). The only thing I didn't like were the potatoes that came with it. Few undercooked pieces. Tried the tres leches cake. Best dessert ever. We'll be back.
(4)Kristi D.
This place is a far cry for good Mexican food. I am not sure if it is the Spanish fusion, but I found the food flavorless and plain. My husband didn't even eat his burrito because he said it wasn't worth the calories. The chips & salas were good, but the salas was very watery and more like pico. The inside looks more like a fancy restaurant wannabe with its white linen. Not the norm for true Mexican . Service was fine. Needless to say we will not return.
(1)Kacey D.
Have enjoyed several visits here, it's our favorite mexican food in the area. The menu ranges beyond typical texmex. Desserts are a hit, too.
(4)Valerie S.
I came here once and it was good. Very nice inside and friendly. VERY CLEAN. Fancy place for special occasion. The drinks are better than the food. I think I've been to a better Mexican restaurant which is Santa Rosa at Route 40. But that's my opinion. I would come again only for the bar or party occasion.
(4)David D.
Really enjoyed our meal here! Service was prompt and attentive. The tables are set with starched white linens and cut glass stemware. The food was all quite good - Chiles Rellenos, chicken Fajitas, beef Enchiladas, and Poc Chuc Yucateco (Charbroiled pork tenderloin marinated in mayan spices, topped with red onions -- tender and wonderful flavor). My wife had a mango smoothie, and I had a margarita, both of which were excellent. Desserts of flan, chocolate mousse, and Tres Leches really topped things off. Portions were all plentiful, food was flavorful. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the decor is simple - not your run-of-the-mill Mexican-sombraros-and-ponchos-and-bulls. I don't consider this to be negative, unless you are looking for that sort of typical decor. The food more than makes up for any loss of sensory stimulation.
(4)Iris C.
We were very happy to have found a good Mexican place near Ijamsville since we normally go to DC. The staff is Friendly. Very good steak ( Carne Asada). My husband like his beef enchilada. I always notice cleanliness in a food place because a dirty restaurant is a turn off for me. This one passed the test. :)
(4)Frank N.
Very very delicious Burrito Camarones! I'm already wishing I'd ordered another to go!! The Salsa and Chips are great. Thin chips and very fresh chunky salsa... This place doesn't look like much on the outside... In fact, I've driven past it for years without noticing it. Then i read my (real life) friend Victoria's review, and I went and looked for it.... I liked the mood inside!
(4)Patrick V.
Food was absolutely on point. I had the Mexicana Fajitas which had chicken, steak and link chorizo on top of sauteed onions, peppers and a roasted jalepeno. Wonderfully delicious. The only reason I gave four stars versus five was because my waitress, while nice, was not as engaging as I like. I will say, however, I came in at the start of lunch and she was still performing some lunch prep. All in all, wonderful experience. I will absolutely visit Mariachi again.
(4)Cynthia C.
The service is wonderful and all the staff are very pleasant! But the food is far from Mexican! It has no taste, no flavor and everything is watery! Cheese dip taste like liquid butter "I about vomited" we have never been here so we tried it and we will not return! Also their menu is overpriced! Chipotle makes a better taco for $2.50
(1)Jeff B.
This is probably the best Mexican restaurant, or at least in the top two or three, in Frederick. The food is fresh, the staff is exceptional, and the mood of the place is great. It's a restaurant you can go with a group of friends but can also take kids. It's a nice balance between family friendly and more grown-up. The portions are generous and the margaritas are probably the best in town. Highly recommended...
(5)John B.
The steak I had was great! The staff was also very friendly. This was my first time here, but I am sure I will be back.
(4)Crystal W.
We ate here on a friends recommendation and were not disappointed. I had a platter that had beef and chicken alongside pinto beans and rice pilaf. For an extra $3 I could add a soda and flan (which I did). The steak was a little chewy but for the price I feel it was fair as it was a decent sized portion. We also ordered the queso (which was yellow, not white, if that concerns you). We also got the habenero hot sauce, which was delicious and yes, very hot. I walked out of there stuffed and happy.
(4)Steve B.
Good Mexican food, on the busier side of Frederick. The building that houses Mariachi has lived many lives. My older brother drank underage there, at the Gold Dust Inn. Many management changes later, I drank and danced there at the Rabbit's Foot, or several other names. At some point, I think it even featured male strippers. And now it's calmed down, turned the bar into an open kitchen, and turns out some pretty non-controversial Mexican food. We've visited three or four times, and they do a pretty good job on the food and service. The decor is above average as well, with some departures from the standard "I'm in a courtyard in old Mexico" look that you've seen so many times. Burritos, enchiladas, tamales, and the like have been good. The chile relleno (my favorite dish) is above average. Pretty good margaritas on the rocks. Our last visit, I happened to notice the dozens of baskets of tortilla chips, filled and ready to serve, piled high on shelves in several open storage rooms. That's an odd touch---not because they fill the baskets so far ahead of time, but because you can see the stockpiles. Maybe there's a better way to do this. Overall, another reasonable and satisfying fix for our craving for Mexican food.
(3)Nic R.
The service was good, but the food was very disappointing. The wait staff was attentive, and the $2 draft beers were good, as was the fresh chips and salsa. Everything else about the food here just fell flat. This place obviously takes the cheap road when it comes to the food, the guacamole wasn't fresh, and the enchiladas and chili rellenos had the texture of a frozen microwave dinner from 7-11. Even the rice was an unnatural yellow with indiscriminate bits of veggie matter and tasted like something found in a box from the dollar store. The food here sucks, plain and simple. As for the mariachi of the namesake? They don't even get this right. It's more like square dancing music than what one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. Not worth it, stay away.
(1)Steven B.
This is NOT YOUR TYPICAL Mexican restaurant for two reasons. 1. The décor and atmosphere is upscale. We are talking white tablecloth fancy. 2. The menu is equally divided between Mexican and Spanish choices. This variety is a welcome change to your typical Mexican joint. They ARE YOUR TYPICAL place for two reasons. 1. If you are at this type of restaurant the standard drink is the margarita. I've tried three different versions here and they are all just fine but nothing special. 2. On my last visit I ordered the SACRAMENTO PLATTER for $13.99. It included a Beef Enchilada, Chile Relleno and a hard shell Chicken Taco along with the usual accompaniments. It was hot and tasty and just fine but once again nothing special. I've visited here more than once and the customer service has always been fine. I've found this place to be a solid three star experience.
(3)Brad S.
My 3rd trip here, and I still can't understand how this place gets such rave reviews. It simply cannot be that we were there on an "off night" because it's just not possible for any quality restaurant to have so many off nights. Queso was runny like out of a Frito-Lay can, entrees were all bland...and, as always, the smoke from the kitchen was so thick it burned our eyes and permeated all our clothes. I won't be coming here again.
(2)Mark G.
Maryland has a few good Mexican/latin american resturaunts. El Derado in Easton, Mangos Grill in Laurel, and now Meriachi's in Frederick. We have eaten in most of the highly praised establishments in MD and DC, and they are merely pretentious imitations. This place was a surprise. The margaritas are OK, but the food was quietly authentic, with sophisticated spices. If you have to, there is the TexMex, but I had a cuban styled pork dish, and others had a cerviche based salad. (Salsa needs help.) The plantains were prepared in a methods different from our cuban friend's method, but neverless excellent. The bill was also a surprise, given MD/DC. PLAN TO RETURN!
(4)Joe S.
Our go to place for Mexican. Best in the area. Kid friendly and the staff is great. Love the food. 5 star margaritas.
(5)Kate O.
No no no. Worst chicken burrito ever. Watery. Beans and rice had no taste. Service was fine. Act service was great. Food was not.
(1)Natalie B.
I've lived in Frederick for about 6 months, and this is the only restaurant that I've been to more than once. Very good Mexican and Spanish food, and I love their Margaritas! The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so you want to get a bit dressed up when you go here. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Try the sweet corn tamales as an appetizer, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Rick P.
I've eaten here a few times. Sunday brunch was fantastic. Late night or dinner rush, crowded or empty, food and service has always been great. When I pick the restaurant (I usually defer to my wife), this is where we go. Tortillas are perfect, salsa good, Guacamole was very good, typical dishes (enchiladas, burritos, rellenos) are all done right. Portions are gourmet sized; not too big, great presentation, and delicious. Clean and friendly; more authentic than the chain Mexican restaurants. Not what I consider "authentic" Mexican (giant hot plates overflowing with cheese and sauce served by waiters that "no hablo engles") but better than the chains and as close as I've found in Maryland.
(5)Colleen F.
We come here a lot. The servers and staff are always friendly. The food is very good. I love their guacamole and the tamales de Elote. If I had one recommendation to the restaurant it would be to change their salsa recipe. This one is too watery.
(4)Victoria Z.
Been here a few times and for what a large place it is, it's almost always empty. Only a table or two has been full. Maybe I just eat on weird days and times... Service has always been very good, save last night when I felt a bit pressured to get an appetizer, she asked us so many times! I'm not a pushover though! I just wanted my entree, plus I always fill up on the complimentary chips and salsa. Food has always been pretty good, my only complaint is my crunchy tacos quickly turn not-so-crunchy because they are placed between the rice and other toppings. Putting the sides on a separate plate would make a huge difference!
(3)Linda R.
First impression walking in the door...not a Mexican restaurant. Looked like it should be a 1950's cafeteria or a rented hall at a VFW. Decor, or lack there of was bland and very sterile looking. The white table cloths were so very out of place and didn't help. The Cadillac margarita was very good. Chips were good and the salsa was very fresh tasting but could have used some cilantro. I ordered the Carnitas...well that is what it was called. Not like any carnita I have ever ordered (although I am from the west coast). The pork was very greasy and tasteless. The black beans were okay, but nothing special. I was so very disappointed. We moved here a few months ago and this was the first poor meal that we have eaten in Frederick. I think we will stick to the downtown area where we have yet to go wrong.
(1)Kimberly C.
My, my, my .................. I had high hopes of this place after reading some of the reviews. To be honest, my enchilada plate was not that bad (probably would have warranted 3 stars) BUT they seriously jacked up my plantains. How do you mess up plantains??????????? The were soggy, lacked the nice crisp edges, and soaked in oil. I tried to take them home and re-fry them, but they had been soaking in the oil too long and were just ruined. What a waste of $4! So, I ordered take out for lunch last week, and the chicken enchiladas were not bad, although I have had better. They did not have nearly enough sauce on them, the chicken was a little on the dry side, and I hated the beans. I would drive the extra miles and put up with the poor service from another reviewed restaurant on the other side of town before I come back here.
(2)Seetha K.
This is a really nice restaurant, good for a special occasion. A little pricey for a regular night out. I didn't think it was worth the price. But really nice and attentive staff and beautiful ambiance. Drinks were good too - would go back for the bar area and Guava margarita.
(3)Linda A.
I absolutely LOVE this place! Don't let the "Mexican" label fool you. The food is more Latin than Mexican with an excellent Cuban pork dish that is out of this world. Awesome seafood and the ambiance is wonderful. Any day I can go to Mariachi is a good day.
(5)John D.
Don't know what these other folks are complaining about. GREAT place Food = A- Service= B+ Value = B+
(4)Susan J.
We ate there last Sunday. They were very busy but we still had excellent service from Ana. We ate Lomo Saltado and Pollo Saltado and then had flan for dessert. With 2 drings apiece our check came to $60. Great value for money.
(4)Sara S.
The service here was great. The tres leches cake was amazing!! Most of the food was good although generally over salted. However, stick with the Mexican food. We thought we'd try the paella - very wrong choice. It was horrible. I don't think it should even be called "paella". It should have been called "over-salted and yet still bland seafood over soupy Mahatma saffron rice packet". That said, the service was great. They did reconcile for the bad paella, then delivered that amazing dessert. I would go back again, but I think I'd get the enchiladas or the burrito!
(4)Katie F.
Ill be honest, when I think Mexican food I don't think "fine dining". I want good food in casual atmosphere where I can really enjoy a marg and little to mexican ditties. This place was an odd mix of not being any of these things. The place has white tablecloths and linens---but then you get a spiral plastic menu. Either go casual like the menu, or nice like the table styling--you can't be all things at once. The chips and salsa lacked any real appeal--the salsa tasted very vinegar like infact. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, and they were good--the spinach was certainly fresh. However the side were boring, bland black beans and white rice. So, while the service was great, this place suffers an identity crisis. If I were them I would go casual----make it more festive--that what most people want in a mexican place.
(3)Arthur W.
Calling this a Mexican restaurant isn't "Kosher". It serves Spanish and Seafood dishes also. And they do it quite well. The House Margaritas are cheap, and they hit the spot. There's usually have discount certificates at restaurant.com
(4)Karl M.
A somewhat upscale Spanish/Mexican place. The food and service have been excellent every time we've been here. Stand out items include the masitas and the seafood enchiladas. If looking for cheaper Mexican I also recommend the nearby El Ranchero.
(4)Ted W.
Been there twice now. Chips were fresh one time and not hot the second time. Salsa appeared home made and was okay, but not exceptional. The place looks like it used to be a bar or strip club based on the layout (not that I frequent either). The well dressed tables clash with the rundown look of the low ceiling panels. I had the fish tacos and they were good, but not top tier. 2nd visit had shredded beef taco and cheese enchilada that were good. On first visit our waitress was apparently having some sort of personal issue and was virtually throwing things around and very pissy. 2nd visit was fine, different waitress.
(3)Melissa M.
We moved to the East Coast from CA a few years ago and had a hard time finding good Mexican food in the area. Surprised to say that we are quite pleased with the selection and quality of the food here at Mariachi! We go on average once every two to three months -- great place for date night, or to take the kids. Might need reservations on a special day, as we tried to go on Valentine's and couldn't even get in the door! Good drinks, too!
(4)Jeff K.
I frequent this place and I have yet to not enjoy the food and experience. I live in Hagerstown but yet still make the trip. Their Spinach Quesadilla are my favorite. Not sure what they do to make them so delicious but it's hard for me to order anything else (though I have) when I come here. I'm also a fan of their chips and salsa. If you're in the mood for great service and great food, I would highly recommend them.
(4)Mary B.
We eat here quite a bit. It's HUGE and no one is ever in there, which we kind of like. Your food comes out fast, the staff couldn't be nicer and it's really good. I always try and get something different and I always like it. My hubby and I call this our go-to mexican place. Yum yum!
(4)Lisa F.
Don't waste your time. Stop at Taco Bell and save your money. The crispy taco's were soggy. It took 45 min to get our food and the order was wrong. The rice was like rice a roni
(1)Eva W.
Our group ordered appetizers of Ceviche, Queso Fundo and Tamales. Ceviche dressing was good but the fish was "over cooked" meaning that it macerated too long so it was rubbery. The tamales were all sweet corn meal and had corn husks inside. The Queso Fundo was melted thick cheese with very flavorless chorizo. Entrees were equally unimpressive. There really wasn't much to like about the place except that our waiter was very friendly and served us well.
(1)Melissa L.
I think the menu is pretty extensive. I have been there 3 times, always good food, good service. There is nothing I would change.
(5)B C.
I was not impressed by this food at all. The rice tasted like Rice A Roni. If you want good Mexican food try Fajita Grande on 40. There's a reason Mariachis parking lot is ALWAYS empty.
(1)Tracy B.
I have been to Mariachi's several times since their opening, and it has gone a little downhill. I have to agree with another reviewer about this restaurant having an identity crisis - I enjoy that it has an upscale feel to it, but the food is not as good as it used to be. If you are going to charge me an extra $4 for a dish I could get at another mexican restaurant, I expect it to be better. I ate there last night with a friend and it was the worst dining experience I have ever had there. First off, the restaurant was completely empty, which was bizarre because every other time I've been there it has been pretty full. They were having some kind of issue with their speaker system....there would be music playing, it would randomly get louder and softer, then it would just stop completely for 10 minutes of random silence. That made for an awkward dining experience. The chips were not warm, and the salsa was not as I had remembered it to be on previous visits. It was really bland; just a bunch of chopped up vegetables swimming in tomato juice. We each ordered the chicken fajitas, and for $15, they weren't that great. There are other places around that serve better fajitas for less money. Tortillas get soggy because they are served on the same plate as the sides, instead of being served in that little container that keeps them warm. The drinks and queso were good, but the rest left me feeling underwhelmed. Probably won't be going back any time soon.
(3)jc t.
This place is like a more expensive taco bell with worse service. For a comparable burrito I would go down the road to 7/11 and microwave one for a buck. This has to be the worst "Mexican" food I have ever had. It's as if someone were playing a joke.
(1)Ed W.
First time here, kept driving by and finally decided to give it a try glad we did. I had the Fajitas Trio and it was great. Did not have the normal "chain Resturant" spices on it. The chocolate mousse was also very good. Seemed to be home made.
(3)Simone R.
Ok, my new fav place!! Great food, awesome service, atmosphere very sexy at night!! Rib eye fajiata are the bomb!! Chips are fresh and the food taste like your Grandma prepared!! Authentic Spanish cuisine!!
(5)M E.
We love to go this place for the fajitas, tortilla chips, drink specials and mariachi singers . We have tried numerous dishes and our favorite is the fajitas, but sometimes the food is not consistent in that it is often oversalted and not flavorful. The paella is not something that I would recommend, but the fajitas and jambalaya are pretty good. Service is good.
(3)Patti M.
not sure why the great ratings on yelp, maybe i should have ordered one of the interesting seafood dishes. i ordered veggie fajitas, they were just ok, no real flavor, lots of veggies tho. chips/salsa....just ok. don't really want the Mariachi men singing at my table either, maybe if i had kids they would enjoy but i don't! i probably won't return.
(3)Lori M.
Pure bliss...that's how I felt about the spinach enchiladas. Made with cheese and fresh spinach and topped with a creamy spinach sauce and served with white rice, beans, and pico de gallo (not sure if I've spelled everything correctly), it was wonderful. It was a lunch special that also came with a garden salad and a beverage for $9.99 (there were also other entree choices available with the special).. I'm not usually a big fan of Mexican food, but I hope to return here. I'm hoping they make the spinach enchiladas a part of the regular menu. Vegetarians and non vegetarians will both enjoy this. Unlike the other review, I did not find the food salty (and I don't usually use much salt, so I would have noticed). It was also not spicy, which suited my taste--I guess you'd have to tell them to spice it up if that's what you like. The salsa served with chips was very good flavorwise, but runny, making it difficult to not make a mess. Other people I was with ordered different dishes and all seemed pleased. The service was friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was pleasant.
(5)Bill C.
A nice mix of kinda classy - while still being casual. A mix of Tex-Mex and Spanish foods. Been here many times and never had a bad meal. The service has been great. Simply - good food, good service, good price - I'll keep going back.
(4)Luisita S.
Overpriced "Mexican" food. What a rip-off. Watered down drinks. The one thing in its favor--plenty of parking. And service is friendly.
(1)Meredith M.
I'm from Texas and this is the best Tex-Mex-style food I've found in Frederick by far. Atmosphere leaves a little to be desired - I'd prefer more Christmas lights and fewer white tablecloths - although the Mariachi band is a nice touch. In terms of the food, it's mildly seasoned but delicious. Chips and good house-made salsa flow freely. Fajitas and spinach enchiladas are very good, the ceviche is great. My daughter had the carne asada, which I thought wasn't quite as good but she liked it. Occasionally the food has been oversalted, but not lately. Margaritas come by the glass or the pitcher and are quite satisfactory (and if memory serves, very economical as well). They will sub out things without complaint and the service is always really friendly.
(5)Belle M.
While my standard is high for good Mexican food (being from the S.F. Bay area and currently living in L.A.) I have to say I've never been to a place where all I could taste was salt in my food. I had the carne asada plate. Portions are huge but it fell short on the taste. My first bite was ok but as I took my second and third bite, it got saltier (the hot sauce could not even mask the taste). My friends who got the duck and the paella had the same complaint. The only thing that was tasty were the plantains. However, I would give them an extra star for friendly service and nice decor.
(2)Lisa M.
Ordered carry-out - the Fiesta Chicken was DELICIOUS!! The chicken is So tender and juicy. I tried not to eat the tortilla, but it was so good with the rest of it, I gobbled it right up. I will have to try something else the next time. They are very pleasant when you come in, the atmosphere seems quite comfortable yet elegant at the same time.
(5)Brian H.
I have been trying various Mexican restaurants in the area, and this one is now my favorite. The salsa and guacamole taste fresh and well seasoned. The beef is not ground beef and is well seasoned as is the chicken. They have homemade habanero salsa which is extremely hot and tasty. The chile relleno and tamales are quite tasty. Overall, I think this is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around and would highly recommend it. The service was very good as well.
(4)Lloyd W.
Don't expect to find the "usual" Mexican food menu or decor when visiting Mariachi. Sure, you can get a burrito and other typical offerings but this menu offers those and a whole lot more. Bring a couple of friends to share and explore some of the Spanish and other offerings (the number of seafood items on the menu especially surprised me). I had the Fajita Omlette off the brunch menu and found it sizable, well prepared and attractive as were the accompanying potatoes (fresh fruit is also served with this entrée). My order was served relatively quickly and the temperatures were good. Again, even the decor is unusual. Instead of yellow walls and red trim, Mariachi is bright and airy with a definite upscale feel. I found 2 groups of around 10 people but their presence did not negatively impact the number of smaller parties who seemed to be enjoying the place. The first impression was excellent thanks to a smiling, polite and knowledgeable host. My server (Yiduzka) was personable and checked back regularly. The kitchen staff hanging around outside the restrooms texting/emails was a bit of a surprise and a bit disconcerting but perhaps I'm the only one to notice. Give it a try when you're in the neighborhood and looking for something a bit different. You'll spend a few bucks more but with the range of menu and ambiance of Mariachi, you may find it worth the experience.
(3)Bob S.
This is the best Mexican food in Maryland. I especially love the Chi Con Queso... So special it must have a secret ingredient! Bob
(5)Andre B.
Some of the best Carne asada I have ever had in my life! Great variety. Staff was very nice and helpful. Good place for group dinner. Will go back when in the area!
(5)Beata K.
Came here for Valentines day and it was somewhat of a zoo. The term "reservations" had no meaning what so ever and it seems as though the Hispanic folks got seated first as they could talk their way into it with the host. Aside from our reservations being ignored the place is pretty good. The menu is split between Mexican and Spanish food so we got the fried plantains, lomo saltado and fajitas. The fajitas (steak & chicken) were great an the lomo saltado was pretty good too but it was a tad salty. The restaurant is pretty big and had a nice atmosphere. Will definitely come back and try a few more items off the menu and will hopefully have a better experience in terms of being seated.
(3)Jason C.
My wife and I love this place. It is always first on the list when we want Mexican food. She loves the seafood soup and I love the fajita trio. Staff is very friendly and they usually have a good beer special once a day. Usually a couple times a month stop for us.
(5)Sheri W.
Day after Christmas lunch...fabulous! Great service, great food, great atmosphere!
(5)David O.
Don't. The experience was generally disappointing. Salsa was awful. Clearly they had just added some pico de gallo to some canned tomato sauce and called it salsa. I had "Plato rojo" which was chile rellanos. It said 2 rellanos would be on the plate but it was one poblano halved and battered as individual rellanos. The poblano was tough because it was undercooked. I won't return.
(2)Codemaster G.
My 1st time there, will not go back. Chips and salsa were ok, salsa was very watery though I ordered the Seafood Paella and let me tell you, it was NOT good! I guess I should have known when i asked the waitress if it was made the same day and her reply: "oh, they make it fresh to order". Paella takes at least a couple hours to make, it cannot be made to order. I gave it a try anyways ... mistake. The rice in the dish was the same as the side dish rice served with most all other orders. The seafood in the dish was WAY overcooked - the shrimp and squid rubbery, the mussels were tough, the clam (single clam) was just mush and disgusting. There was also sand in the one of the mussels! Worst of all, it was so salty!!! WHY??? Lesson Learned: only order stuff that you know the kitchen has to make fresh, a dish like this is almost certainly gong to be "microwave magic'" or what you might expect from a cafeteria chow line. I gave 2 stars only because the chips were ok, and $2 draft beer during happy hour.
(2)Justa D.
Food is good. Same as any of the other Mexican joints around. The margaritas are good. Nothing special, but good. No complaints.
(4)Dawn R.
I stopped in for lunch while attending a conference in Frederick, opting to go out and find something other than the boxed lunch provided by the conference organizers. Looking back, I probably should have stayed at the conference center. Don't get me wrong.....the service was great (of course, I was the only one in the place), and the food was OK....but it was just that, OK. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, expecting something really nice and creamy/cheesy. What I got was a LOT of spinach, with very little flavor from the sauce. The beans were alright but nothing special, as was the rice. Their dessert list didn't have anything that really appealed to me, although the server insisted that their chocolate flan was amazing. Maybe if I tried something different, I would have liked it better, but the food I got really just didn't impress me that much.
(3)Ledbetter A.
So I took some friends back to Mariachi tonight. I was definitely not disappointed. Great place. A must try in Frederick.
(5)Rose B.
After finding this place on yelp, (it is a gem), I met a friend for an enjoyable evening and awesome meal. Fajitas and chimichanga's with complimentary salsa and chips... and an amazing fried ice cream. It was happy hour.. but we didnt add drinks, although the prices were right! Very child friendly with coloring pages and a SUPER nice wait staff. I will definitely be BACK!
(5)Michael R.
OUTSTANDING!! This place is delicious! This is our second time coming here, and once again, everything was great. We are from California so we have a pretty high standard for Mexican food. Of course, nothing compares to California Mexican food, but this is pretty close. As far as east coast Mexican, 5STARS! I had the chihuahua platter...marvelous!! My wife had the beef enchiladas....delicious!!! The chips and salsa are on point and the habeñero salsa (by request) pretty hot and delicious for a restaurant. The service was excellent and the prices reasonable. Definitely recommend to all. Best Mexican/Spanish food in Frederick!!!
(5)Angie J.
My husband's co-workers have raved about Mariachi and a couple of my Yelp friends have written reviews about this restaurant, so I had to give it a try. I'm from Texas so I miss eating authentic Mexican food. It's a nice, "fancy" restaurant. The hostess and waitstaff are friendly, but wait time to get our drinks and food could be faster. It took 10 minutes for our drinks to get to our table and another 20 minutes to get our food. The food was delicious! I ordered the Sacramento Platter - Beef enchilada, Chili Relleno, and Crunchy Chicken Taco. Cheesy, saucy and hot! It came with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans. My husband ordered the Enchiladas - one chicken and one beef. It was a great surprise that shredded beef was in our enchilada; I'm use to restaurants using ground beef. Awesome!!! I've tried dining at other Mexican restaurants around Frederick. This is the best one - for service, quality and taste. I look forward to dining there again! :)
(4)lisa y.
Friend's former boss had recommended this place years ago. Kept meaning to try it and finally did and we'll be back! Mariachi Margarita is a must!! So good! We had the cerviche for an appetizer, that was seasoned well. Would have liked to have some additional seafood in it, but was good. I had the Santa Fe Platter which had Chile Relleno, Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Tamale. So tasty and soo much food! Friend had the chimichanga and that looked good. Both meals came with rice, refried beans, sour cream. Had the fried ice cream for desert and that was a must have! Crunchy topping and yummy sauce! Will be back again! Will be trying the fajitas next time, they smelled wonderful as people were getting their orders!
(4)Karri V.
Mariachi is not at all what I expected. In a good way though. We went at dinner on a Friday. They were pretty busy but since it is huge in there with a ton of tables we were seated quickly. The service was good from beginning to end. I kinda of got the feeling they are the type of place that remembers their regulars and actually care if they keep coming back. The food was quite good as well. I had the enchiladas and so did my son. They were not my favorite enchiladas in town but a close 2nd. My mom went with the chicken chimi which she seemed to really enjoy. I probably could have gone without the queso dip as I did not find it very flavorful but, my god, that fried ice cream is what dreams are made of. The waitress said the caramel sauce is homemade, too. All in all, everyone was happy with their food as it was fresh and tasty. We will definitely be back
(4)Andy G.
Food,service and atmosphere were all excellent. We have heard great things about this place from friends and finally made it over. Extremely friendly staff right up front and waiting to seat us. Thank you for a great night out
(5)Karen H.
I love this place. We go at least 4 times/year for several years now and we're never disappointed. The food, drinks, service, atmosphere, etc. are always the best.
(5)Bill M.
Came in for brunch on Father's day. I tried the carne asada with eggs. Steak was great, eggs were cooked perfectly (over easy). The only thing I didn't like were the potatoes that came with it. Few undercooked pieces. Tried the tres leches cake. Best dessert ever. We'll be back.
(4)Kristi D.
This place is a far cry for good Mexican food. I am not sure if it is the Spanish fusion, but I found the food flavorless and plain. My husband didn't even eat his burrito because he said it wasn't worth the calories. The chips & salas were good, but the salas was very watery and more like pico. The inside looks more like a fancy restaurant wannabe with its white linen. Not the norm for true Mexican . Service was fine. Needless to say we will not return.
(1)Kacey D.
Have enjoyed several visits here, it's our favorite mexican food in the area. The menu ranges beyond typical texmex. Desserts are a hit, too.
(4)Valerie S.
I came here once and it was good. Very nice inside and friendly. VERY CLEAN. Fancy place for special occasion. The drinks are better than the food. I think I've been to a better Mexican restaurant which is Santa Rosa at Route 40. But that's my opinion. I would come again only for the bar or party occasion.
(4)Iris C.
We were very happy to have found a good Mexican place near Ijamsville since we normally go to DC. The staff is Friendly. Very good steak ( Carne Asada). My husband like his beef enchilada. I always notice cleanliness in a food place because a dirty restaurant is a turn off for me. This one passed the test. :)
(4)David D.
Really enjoyed our meal here! Service was prompt and attentive. The tables are set with starched white linens and cut glass stemware. The food was all quite good - Chiles Rellenos, chicken Fajitas, beef Enchiladas, and Poc Chuc Yucateco (Charbroiled pork tenderloin marinated in mayan spices, topped with red onions -- tender and wonderful flavor). My wife had a mango smoothie, and I had a margarita, both of which were excellent. Desserts of flan, chocolate mousse, and Tres Leches really topped things off. Portions were all plentiful, food was flavorful. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the decor is simple - not your run-of-the-mill Mexican-sombraros-and-ponchos-and-bulls. I don't consider this to be negative, unless you are looking for that sort of typical decor. The food more than makes up for any loss of sensory stimulation.
(4)Patrick V.
Food was absolutely on point. I had the Mexicana Fajitas which had chicken, steak and link chorizo on top of sauteed onions, peppers and a roasted jalepeno. Wonderfully delicious. The only reason I gave four stars versus five was because my waitress, while nice, was not as engaging as I like. I will say, however, I came in at the start of lunch and she was still performing some lunch prep. All in all, wonderful experience. I will absolutely visit Mariachi again.
(4)Frank N.
Very very delicious Burrito Camarones! I'm already wishing I'd ordered another to go!! The Salsa and Chips are great. Thin chips and very fresh chunky salsa... This place doesn't look like much on the outside... In fact, I've driven past it for years without noticing it. Then i read my (real life) friend Victoria's review, and I went and looked for it.... I liked the mood inside!
(4)Bob S.
This is the best Mexican food in Maryland. I especially love the Chi Con Queso... So special it must have a secret ingredient! Bob
(5)Cynthia C.
The service is wonderful and all the staff are very pleasant! But the food is far from Mexican! It has no taste, no flavor and everything is watery! Cheese dip taste like liquid butter "I about vomited" we have never been here so we tried it and we will not return! Also their menu is overpriced! Chipotle makes a better taco for $2.50
(1)Jeff B.
This is probably the best Mexican restaurant, or at least in the top two or three, in Frederick. The food is fresh, the staff is exceptional, and the mood of the place is great. It's a restaurant you can go with a group of friends but can also take kids. It's a nice balance between family friendly and more grown-up. The portions are generous and the margaritas are probably the best in town. Highly recommended...
(5)John B.
The steak I had was great! The staff was also very friendly. This was my first time here, but I am sure I will be back.
(4)Lloyd W.
Don't expect to find the "usual" Mexican food menu or decor when visiting Mariachi. Sure, you can get a burrito and other typical offerings but this menu offers those and a whole lot more. Bring a couple of friends to share and explore some of the Spanish and other offerings (the number of seafood items on the menu especially surprised me). I had the Fajita Omlette off the brunch menu and found it sizable, well prepared and attractive as were the accompanying potatoes (fresh fruit is also served with this entrée). My order was served relatively quickly and the temperatures were good. Again, even the decor is unusual. Instead of yellow walls and red trim, Mariachi is bright and airy with a definite upscale feel. I found 2 groups of around 10 people but their presence did not negatively impact the number of smaller parties who seemed to be enjoying the place. The first impression was excellent thanks to a smiling, polite and knowledgeable host. My server (Yiduzka) was personable and checked back regularly. The kitchen staff hanging around outside the restrooms texting/emails was a bit of a surprise and a bit disconcerting but perhaps I'm the only one to notice. Give it a try when you're in the neighborhood and looking for something a bit different. You'll spend a few bucks more but with the range of menu and ambiance of Mariachi, you may find it worth the experience.
(3)Andre B.
Some of the best Carne asada I have ever had in my life! Great variety. Staff was very nice and helpful. Good place for group dinner. Will go back when in the area!
(5)Beata K.
Came here for Valentines day and it was somewhat of a zoo. The term "reservations" had no meaning what so ever and it seems as though the Hispanic folks got seated first as they could talk their way into it with the host. Aside from our reservations being ignored the place is pretty good. The menu is split between Mexican and Spanish food so we got the fried plantains, lomo saltado and fajitas. The fajitas (steak & chicken) were great an the lomo saltado was pretty good too but it was a tad salty. The restaurant is pretty big and had a nice atmosphere. Will definitely come back and try a few more items off the menu and will hopefully have a better experience in terms of being seated.
(3)Steve B.
Good Mexican food, on the busier side of Frederick. The building that houses Mariachi has lived many lives. My older brother drank underage there, at the Gold Dust Inn. Many management changes later, I drank and danced there at the Rabbit's Foot, or several other names. At some point, I think it even featured male strippers. And now it's calmed down, turned the bar into an open kitchen, and turns out some pretty non-controversial Mexican food. We've visited three or four times, and they do a pretty good job on the food and service. The decor is above average as well, with some departures from the standard "I'm in a courtyard in old Mexico" look that you've seen so many times. Burritos, enchiladas, tamales, and the like have been good. The chile relleno (my favorite dish) is above average. Pretty good margaritas on the rocks. Our last visit, I happened to notice the dozens of baskets of tortilla chips, filled and ready to serve, piled high on shelves in several open storage rooms. That's an odd touch---not because they fill the baskets so far ahead of time, but because you can see the stockpiles. Maybe there's a better way to do this. Overall, another reasonable and satisfying fix for our craving for Mexican food.
(3)Nic R.
The service was good, but the food was very disappointing. The wait staff was attentive, and the $2 draft beers were good, as was the fresh chips and salsa. Everything else about the food here just fell flat. This place obviously takes the cheap road when it comes to the food, the guacamole wasn't fresh, and the enchiladas and chili rellenos had the texture of a frozen microwave dinner from 7-11. Even the rice was an unnatural yellow with indiscriminate bits of veggie matter and tasted like something found in a box from the dollar store. The food here sucks, plain and simple. As for the mariachi of the namesake? They don't even get this right. It's more like square dancing music than what one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. Not worth it, stay away.
(1)Steven B.
This is NOT YOUR TYPICAL Mexican restaurant for two reasons. 1. The décor and atmosphere is upscale. We are talking white tablecloth fancy. 2. The menu is equally divided between Mexican and Spanish choices. This variety is a welcome change to your typical Mexican joint. They ARE YOUR TYPICAL place for two reasons. 1. If you are at this type of restaurant the standard drink is the margarita. I've tried three different versions here and they are all just fine but nothing special. 2. On my last visit I ordered the SACRAMENTO PLATTER for $13.99. It included a Beef Enchilada, Chile Relleno and a hard shell Chicken Taco along with the usual accompaniments. It was hot and tasty and just fine but once again nothing special. I've visited here more than once and the customer service has always been fine. I've found this place to be a solid three star experience.
(3)Brad S.
My 3rd trip here, and I still can't understand how this place gets such rave reviews. It simply cannot be that we were there on an "off night" because it's just not possible for any quality restaurant to have so many off nights. Queso was runny like out of a Frito-Lay can, entrees were all bland...and, as always, the smoke from the kitchen was so thick it burned our eyes and permeated all our clothes. I won't be coming here again.
(2)Kimberly C.
My, my, my .................. I had high hopes of this place after reading some of the reviews. To be honest, my enchilada plate was not that bad (probably would have warranted 3 stars) BUT they seriously jacked up my plantains. How do you mess up plantains??????????? The were soggy, lacked the nice crisp edges, and soaked in oil. I tried to take them home and re-fry them, but they had been soaking in the oil too long and were just ruined. What a waste of $4! So, I ordered take out for lunch last week, and the chicken enchiladas were not bad, although I have had better. They did not have nearly enough sauce on them, the chicken was a little on the dry side, and I hated the beans. I would drive the extra miles and put up with the poor service from another reviewed restaurant on the other side of town before I come back here.
(2)Seetha K.
This is a really nice restaurant, good for a special occasion. A little pricey for a regular night out. I didn't think it was worth the price. But really nice and attentive staff and beautiful ambiance. Drinks were good too - would go back for the bar area and Guava margarita.
(3)Linda A.
I absolutely LOVE this place! Don't let the "Mexican" label fool you. The food is more Latin than Mexican with an excellent Cuban pork dish that is out of this world. Awesome seafood and the ambiance is wonderful. Any day I can go to Mariachi is a good day.
(5)John D.
Don't know what these other folks are complaining about. GREAT place Food = A- Service= B+ Value = B+
(4)Susan J.
We ate there last Sunday. They were very busy but we still had excellent service from Ana. We ate Lomo Saltado and Pollo Saltado and then had flan for dessert. With 2 drings apiece our check came to $60. Great value for money.
(4)Sara S.
The service here was great. The tres leches cake was amazing!! Most of the food was good although generally over salted. However, stick with the Mexican food. We thought we'd try the paella - very wrong choice. It was horrible. I don't think it should even be called "paella". It should have been called "over-salted and yet still bland seafood over soupy Mahatma saffron rice packet". That said, the service was great. They did reconcile for the bad paella, then delivered that amazing dessert. I would go back again, but I think I'd get the enchiladas or the burrito!
(4)Dawn R.
I stopped in for lunch while attending a conference in Frederick, opting to go out and find something other than the boxed lunch provided by the conference organizers. Looking back, I probably should have stayed at the conference center. Don't get me wrong.....the service was great (of course, I was the only one in the place), and the food was OK....but it was just that, OK. I ordered the spinach enchiladas, expecting something really nice and creamy/cheesy. What I got was a LOT of spinach, with very little flavor from the sauce. The beans were alright but nothing special, as was the rice. Their dessert list didn't have anything that really appealed to me, although the server insisted that their chocolate flan was amazing. Maybe if I tried something different, I would have liked it better, but the food I got really just didn't impress me that much.
(3)Michael R.
OUTSTANDING!! This place is delicious! This is our second time coming here, and once again, everything was great. We are from California so we have a pretty high standard for Mexican food. Of course, nothing compares to California Mexican food, but this is pretty close. As far as east coast Mexican, 5STARS! I had the chihuahua platter...marvelous!! My wife had the beef enchiladas....delicious!!! The chips and salsa are on point and the habeñero salsa (by request) pretty hot and delicious for a restaurant. The service was excellent and the prices reasonable. Definitely recommend to all. Best Mexican/Spanish food in Frederick!!!
(5)Rose B.
After finding this place on yelp, (it is a gem), I met a friend for an enjoyable evening and awesome meal. Fajitas and chimichanga's with complimentary salsa and chips... and an amazing fried ice cream. It was happy hour.. but we didnt add drinks, although the prices were right! Very child friendly with coloring pages and a SUPER nice wait staff. I will definitely be BACK!
(5)Jason C.
My wife and I love this place. It is always first on the list when we want Mexican food. She loves the seafood soup and I love the fajita trio. Staff is very friendly and they usually have a good beer special once a day. Usually a couple times a month stop for us.
(5)Sheri W.
Day after Christmas lunch...fabulous! Great service, great food, great atmosphere!
(5)Victoria Z.
Been here a few times and for what a large place it is, it's almost always empty. Only a table or two has been full. Maybe I just eat on weird days and times... Service has always been very good, save last night when I felt a bit pressured to get an appetizer, she asked us so many times! I'm not a pushover though! I just wanted my entree, plus I always fill up on the complimentary chips and salsa. Food has always been pretty good, my only complaint is my crunchy tacos quickly turn not-so-crunchy because they are placed between the rice and other toppings. Putting the sides on a separate plate would make a huge difference!
(3)Linda R.
First impression walking in the door...not a Mexican restaurant. Looked like it should be a 1950's cafeteria or a rented hall at a VFW. Decor, or lack there of was bland and very sterile looking. The white table cloths were so very out of place and didn't help. The Cadillac margarita was very good. Chips were good and the salsa was very fresh tasting but could have used some cilantro. I ordered the Carnitas...well that is what it was called. Not like any carnita I have ever ordered (although I am from the west coast). The pork was very greasy and tasteless. The black beans were okay, but nothing special. I was so very disappointed. We moved here a few months ago and this was the first poor meal that we have eaten in Frederick. I think we will stick to the downtown area where we have yet to go wrong.
(1)David O.
Don't. The experience was generally disappointing. Salsa was awful. Clearly they had just added some pico de gallo to some canned tomato sauce and called it salsa. I had "Plato rojo" which was chile rellanos. It said 2 rellanos would be on the plate but it was one poblano halved and battered as individual rellanos. The poblano was tough because it was undercooked. I won't return.
(2)Mark G.
Maryland has a few good Mexican/latin american resturaunts. El Derado in Easton, Mangos Grill in Laurel, and now Meriachi's in Frederick. We have eaten in most of the highly praised establishments in MD and DC, and they are merely pretentious imitations. This place was a surprise. The margaritas are OK, but the food was quietly authentic, with sophisticated spices. If you have to, there is the TexMex, but I had a cuban styled pork dish, and others had a cerviche based salad. (Salsa needs help.) The plantains were prepared in a methods different from our cuban friend's method, but neverless excellent. The bill was also a surprise, given MD/DC. PLAN TO RETURN!
(4)Joe S.
Our go to place for Mexican. Best in the area. Kid friendly and the staff is great. Love the food. 5 star margaritas.
(5)Kate O.
No no no. Worst chicken burrito ever. Watery. Beans and rice had no taste. Service was fine. Act service was great. Food was not.
(1)Natalie B.
I've lived in Frederick for about 6 months, and this is the only restaurant that I've been to more than once. Very good Mexican and Spanish food, and I love their Margaritas! The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so you want to get a bit dressed up when you go here. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Try the sweet corn tamales as an appetizer, you won't be disappointed!
(4)Rick P.
I've eaten here a few times. Sunday brunch was fantastic. Late night or dinner rush, crowded or empty, food and service has always been great. When I pick the restaurant (I usually defer to my wife), this is where we go. Tortillas are perfect, salsa good, Guacamole was very good, typical dishes (enchiladas, burritos, rellenos) are all done right. Portions are gourmet sized; not too big, great presentation, and delicious. Clean and friendly; more authentic than the chain Mexican restaurants. Not what I consider "authentic" Mexican (giant hot plates overflowing with cheese and sauce served by waiters that "no hablo engles") but better than the chains and as close as I've found in Maryland.
(5)Colleen F.
We come here a lot. The servers and staff are always friendly. The food is very good. I love their guacamole and the tamales de Elote. If I had one recommendation to the restaurant it would be to change their salsa recipe. This one is too watery.
(4)Codemaster G.
My 1st time there, will not go back. Chips and salsa were ok, salsa was very watery though I ordered the Seafood Paella and let me tell you, it was NOT good! I guess I should have known when i asked the waitress if it was made the same day and her reply: "oh, they make it fresh to order". Paella takes at least a couple hours to make, it cannot be made to order. I gave it a try anyways ... mistake. The rice in the dish was the same as the side dish rice served with most all other orders. The seafood in the dish was WAY overcooked - the shrimp and squid rubbery, the mussels were tough, the clam (single clam) was just mush and disgusting. There was also sand in the one of the mussels! Worst of all, it was so salty!!! WHY??? Lesson Learned: only order stuff that you know the kitchen has to make fresh, a dish like this is almost certainly gong to be "microwave magic'" or what you might expect from a cafeteria chow line. I gave 2 stars only because the chips were ok, and $2 draft beer during happy hour.
(2)Crystal W.
We ate here on a friends recommendation and were not disappointed. I had a platter that had beef and chicken alongside pinto beans and rice pilaf. For an extra $3 I could add a soda and flan (which I did). The steak was a little chewy but for the price I feel it was fair as it was a decent sized portion. We also ordered the queso (which was yellow, not white, if that concerns you). We also got the habenero hot sauce, which was delicious and yes, very hot. I walked out of there stuffed and happy.
(4)Justa D.
Food is good. Same as any of the other Mexican joints around. The margaritas are good. Nothing special, but good. No complaints.
(4)Ledbetter A.
So I took some friends back to Mariachi tonight. I was definitely not disappointed. Great place. A must try in Frederick.
(5)