The owner of Ixtapa is a cousin. He is not really affiliated with them.
I agree, the food is not much above a fast food joint.
Luckily I have Taqueria Mexico here in Wallingford. Good tacos, tortas, and real Mexican Coke, made with sugar, not corn syrup.

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Taqueria Mexico
850 S Colony Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492

10 year Texas transplant here. Yea, is a better area than the old Guadalupe location. Lots of legittimate business in the area, with Sage on the water, Brazzi's and Ikea.
I haven't been. Let us know how the food is.

When I used to go there in the late 70's, I thought the quality was excelent. Pretty cool atmosphere for an old Boy Scout camp. They had just one pit then if I remember correclly. And if you got there late, they might have been out of certain meats. Miss Texas cue being stuck in New England.

Another splinter location is Ixtapa Grill in Hamden. But the food is somewhat different. Ok if you need a Mexican fix and are in the area.

Yep, Central CT. There was the Guadalajara Grill location, but the brothers have spilt off. They also have locations in the Pacific Northwest and I think one in California.

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Guadalajara Grill
9 Bank St, Granby, CT 06035

Love the Tacos al Pastor. The owners/family are from Acapulco, so you really should try their seafood. Ask to see the owner at either the Newington or the Middletown location and ask them for a favorite seafood dish of their's. They will be happy to make you one of the dishes they enjoy, not listed on the menu. Some of my best meals were when I asked Joe or Margarito to have the cook whip up something they themselves would make at home.

Shangri-Lee on Rt. 10 has excellent Chinese food. Much more than the standard fare on their menu. South side of Cheshire in a strip mall.