Viva Cinco De Mayo - Albany

The portion sizes were generous, except for the guacamole, which disappeared quickly because it was so good. I usually love black beans, but these seemed to have an overwhelming amount of cilantro, maybe even a bit of epazote? Definitely too much for my taste. The tortillas were freshly made on-site, which was a treat! My companions, who make fresh tortillas at home every day, certainly appreciated that. My only complaint was the long wait time, which felt even longer with a couple of little kids in our group who were less patient with the delay. Also, a note for vegetarians: avoid the rice, as it contains chicken stock or flavoring. I believe the enchilada sauce might have the same issue. Overall, I’ll definitely be returning!

We opted for the enchilada and chimichanga platters. The enchiladas platter includes three enchiladas (the lunch menu typically offers two) and can be topped with any combination of their green, red, or bean sauce. We weren’t sure if we could mix the meats, but that didn't detract from the experience. Both platters came with sides of rice and black beans. My husband chose chicken for his enchiladas and tried all three sauces. Topped with finely chopped lettuce, a sprinkle of cheese, and a drizzle of sour cream, his favorite was the bean sauce, which he found particularly tasty, although he liked the other two as well. My carnitas chimichanga arrived golden brown, accompanied by guacamole and a sliced radish resting on the rice, making for an appealing presentation. It was generously stuffed with green peppers, onions, red peppers, cheese, and meat. I chose to skip the green peppers, but it seemed they might have compensated by adding extra red peppers, which turned out to be a bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, the dish was delicious, with perfectly melted, stringy cheese and well-cooked, seasoned pork. We both thoroughly enjoyed the black beans, which had a hint of cacao in their flavor. They also offer Mexican Coca-Cola by the bottle and provide complimentary chips and salsa. We noticed they do quite a bit of take-out business, which may have slowed down the kitchen, as our food took a little longer to arrive. This wasn’t a problem for us, as we enjoyed sitting outside in the lovely weather, and the food was definitely worth the wait. Our server was friendly and attentive, and the restaurant overall has a welcoming atmosphere.

We absolutely adore this restaurant! We visit almost every other week. The birria tacos are incredible, and their chips are fantastic as well. It's my favorite spot in Albany!

We absolutely love this restaurant! We visit almost every other week. The birria tacos are incredible, and the chips are fantastic too. It's my favorite spot in Albany!

The dining room is vibrant and beautifully decorated, creating a lively atmosphere, and the staff is very friendly. I ordered the two chicken enchiladas to go, and they were absolutely delicious. I would have preferred the meat to be shredded, but the flavors were fantastic and the portions were generous!