VENUE INFO

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• Los Tapatios

Enchiladas de Mole ($7.95) from Los Tapatios, 1140 N. SR 135 Ste. M, Greenwood, Indiana. (Michelle Pemberton/The Indianapolis Star)

Wet Burrito ($8.50) from Los Tapatios. (Michelle Pemberton/The Indianapolis Star)

Interior shot of Los Tapatios, 1140 N. SR 135 Ste. M, Greenwood, Indiana. (Michelle Pemberton/The Indianapolis Star)

"Authentic Mexican Cuisine," claims Los Tapatios in Greenwood.

I've been to Mexico a few times. Unfortunately, I was more interested in umbrella drinks and greasy American food than exploring the local fare.

However, when the hubby and I met up for dinner on a recent Friday, Los Tapatios seemed just like any other Mexican joint we've visited in or around the Circle City -- not that it wasn't fun!

The mood

Tapatios is a word used to generalize anything coming from the Guadalajara region of Mexico, but as I said -- I wouldn't know otherwise.

We walked into a colorful, nearly tacky, and cavernous restaurant. The host seated us in a wooden booth in one of two huge dining rooms.

Surrounding us were weekend-ready diners, with towering margaritas or huge Dos Equis drafts (and I mean huge).

Because it was the weekend and well after 6 p.m., I would've expected more patrons, but fewer may have been merrier; we got two visits from the magician.

It was almost pestering, but we decided to have fun with it, even as he asked for Hayden's wedding ring for a rope trick. He enjoyed his few minutes of being "unmarried."

The food

As soon as we were seated, warm chips and runny, spicy salsa appeared while we perused the long list of menu choices.

Hayden settled on the wet burrito ($8.50), while I went with my Mexican-restaurant standard -- chicken enchiladas, but with mole sauce this time ($7.95).

The boy's food came piping hot -- all 12 inches of burrito glory. Stuffed with beef, chicken, rice and beans, and covered with cheese, sour cream, red sauce, and his own addition of habanero sauce, this was a meal even Hayden couldn't finish.

My enchiladas were filled with chunks of chicken and peppers, served with rice and refried beans. The dark mole sauce didn't have the complex blend of flavors that I expected. Still, I ate all three enchiladas.

The drinks

Agua, por favor.

The damage: $17.76

It was nice to feel like a kid again, thanks to Magic by Majesto. I just wish I could've gotten my boozy hands on one of them danged margaritas!

Los Tapatios

Address: 1140 N. Ind. 135, Greenwood.

Telephone: (317) 881-1573.

Parking: Lot.

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.