Mexico

When anyone thinks of Mexican food and Atlantic City, Los Amigos might be the first name that comes to mind. But for authentic Mexican food in a restaurant owned and operated by native Mexicans, Mexico Restaurant & Bar is the real deal. The restaurant offers the usual suspects: fajitas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas. Where Mexico stands out is in its truly authentic fare like goat meat (huh?) and corn soup that are offered as weekend specials, and Carne Tampiquena, a Northern Mexican dish that is very popular here among natives. Says owner Marcos Villa: "This is not Chi-Chi's. Everything is made fresh. We don't microwave frozen food. We even make our guacamole fresh every day." One of the highlights of the menu is an appetizer called "vuelve a la vida" or "come to life". This delicious concoction is a seafood ceviche mixed with crushed tomatoes. The dish doesn't have the overpowering acidity of most ceviche dishes and allows the flavors of the ingedients to be tasted. The refreshing dish lives up to its name and can't be found anywhere else in Atlantic City. Dinner for two will be in $30 to $40 range. Dress is casual, and the hours are 11 a.m. to midnight daily.