Xicohtencatl
50 Stockbridge Rd, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Xicohtencatl Menu
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Address :
50 Stockbridge Rd
Great Barrington, MA, 01230 - Phone (413) 528-2002
- Website https://www.xicohmexicano.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : 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 : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
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.
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Amos S.
Outstanding Mexican restaurant! Exquisitely and authentically prepared non Tex Mex fare. Don't let the detractors prevent you from enyoying this fine restaurant. They are busy but staff is efficient and professional. Amos Stoll Ft Laudetdale, Florida
(5)Leanna P.
I usually enjoy this spot, but tonight was definitely not up to the standards I've had for the place. The chips and salsa portion was weak and we were a party of 7. My friend ordered a chicken and cheese quesadilla and it came without chicken and was two tiny pieces (think kid portion). She and another friend ordered sour cream and were charged for the small side. Midway through the meal, the waitress spilled a drink on a friend of mine. I thought I ordered my usual enchilada entree but must not have because it came in a crazy spicy sauce which I couldn't eat. I realize this was 100% my fault as I clearly ordered the wrong dish, and they did fix it for me, but not worth the $18 price tag. Drinks were great as was sitting outside on the porch but I'm very sad that I had to change my previous raving review.
(3)Cristine G.
Authentic Mexican food at this place. Sautéed calimari with lime and cilantro was flavorful. Burrito was great tried chicken and steak one fabulous on both. Service was great.
(5)Hannah K.
The service here is mediocre, and certainly depends on the night. I've had fantastic service(Michelle, Katie) and I have had someone throw a check at me and lie about them closing so he could close out. The food is good, but the portions rarely justify the price. I will tell you that the drinks never fail to be awesome. Tonight, I made a reservation for 7 so our table was ready when we got there. They had our table set with chips and salsa at each end. The baskets were empty. I counted the chips(because I'm crazy) in the bigger basket and there were 14. I posted a picture because I thought it was so pitiful. Thinking a mistake was made, I asked the server and she informed me that that's how they serve it now. How expensive is a basket of chips? Two of us asked for sour cream and they charged us extra for a 2 ounce side. There were more issues(issues with basic food requests), but I shouldn't ramble on. I've had bad experiences here, but tonight takes the cake. They have lost our whole table. *Edit* the server just spilled my new drink on me.
(2)Ruth P.
Everything that everyone else had looked and smelled delicious. Our simple lunch was perfect.
(4)Tom T.
Great food, great drinks, good service and good location. We will return and will recommend this to our family friends.
(4)Jon S.
Not great. Waiting for a glass of water as I type. We walk in at 9:30pm with the hours listed open till 11pm on a Saturday evening and literally the host and all the servers look at their watches almost annoyed by our arrival . Then the host drags our server over like we had The Plague, although she ended up being sweet. If the food was tasty I'd give it a 1 star. The atmosphere was as if we were imposing on their Saturday evening. We won't be back...oh and 15 bucks for guacamole? Uh, right.
(2)Emily L.
I have been here a few times now and every time I am so satisfied. The food is always amazing and very fresh. I always get the guacamole to start which is so fresh and delicious. I have tried several things on the menu and everything always surpasses my expectations. The atmosphere, especially outside in the summer is so quaint. All the staff is very friendly and has get service. I will definitely continue to go here and bring new guests with me!
(5)Julie M.
Loved this place - as previous reviews note chips/salsa are rationed or you are charged & drinks - while delic - are too pricey - 12$ for normal sized margarita! That being said I got the 3 diff flavored of enchiladas and they were the best I have ever had but for 15$ portions are small. It's a ramekin size of rice on the side. My cat eats more! The mole sauce in particular was tdf! My bf got the carnitas and loved it. Flan was a huge disappointment - tasted burnt :(
(4)Diane K.
Sea bass outstanding. Fresh food, authentic. Great drinks, not your chain restaurant food. Muchbetterwill return
(5)Kristen R.
Had a burrito Mexicano. It was a bit pricey ($14), but so good! Also, the $4 horchata is amazing!
(4)Clara H.
Came here for lunch! The pros: amazingly tasty and fresh guacamole and chips! Wonderful friendly service! The cons: the food was fine but not amazing! I was a bit taken aback by my fajita order as I have always gotten fajitas meat brought out still sizzling in a frying pan. In this case it was more of a fajita platter with meat brought out on a plate alongside the rice, beans, guacamole and sour cream. It came with one large tortilla on the side which was kind of weird.. Would have preferred numerous smaller tortillas. They had an extensive and impressive drink list but unfortunately the strawberry margarita I had was not very good. That being said, everyone else's margaritas were very good from what they said.
(3)Bruce M.
Best mole sauce ever! Great outdoor seating. Terrific selection of tequila. Service is very friendly.
(5)Karen S.
The restaurant seems great from the outside. Nice outdoor seating. My family of 2 kids, 2 parents and a baby arrived at 7:30 on a Monday night in the summer. The hostess asked me if I preferred indoor or outdoor seating. I said outdoor seating. Get this - she then said, "well we only have one table outside - can I seat you inside?" Um, why ask me which I prefer if there was no outdoor seating for us? I said yes to being seated inside because I figured the one outdoor table was too small for us. Not so! The party RIGHT BEHIND US which was the same size got seated outside. And the large party after them! I know it seems like a small thing but it was a beautiful summer night and it just seemed odd. The food was okay - not great - too oily and over salted. We waited a LONG time before anyone came to our table. To give credit where it is due, our young waiter was very nice and sweet to the kids. But I'm not planning a return trip.
(2)Mark G.
Have never had a bad meal at this authentic Mexican restaurant. The most recent visit was with family visiting from the Boston area, and they were impressed with the offerings (They each had a different type of mole dish and oohed and ahhed. I had seasoned grilled shrimp which were excellent, but the real surprise was the bed of rice that came with them - flavorful, a little crunchy, absolutely delicious. Another surprise: My neice's banana margarita was really, really tasty. The one minor complaint: They seemed a bit understaffed for a very busy Tuesday evening, so service was friendly but spotty.
(4)Marjory K.
I've always enjoyed the food here. Never had a bad meal. And I've always found the service to be very attentive. I'm in the Berkshires once a year for a week and always have one meal there. Going tonight, as a matter of fact!
(4)Stephan C.
While the weather is great, sit outside in the warm sun. I had their homemade guacamole which was perfect! This restaurant has never disappointed.
(5)Louise P.
5 stars for the cocktails! My mojito was full of muddled fresh strawberries and mint. It was perfectly strong, not too much or too little. 3 stars for food. The guac was excellent but hardly enough for the 3 of us to share. My dining companions got the quesadilla, which was only two thin, short triangles. It looked like something off a children's menu. I ordered the grande pork burrito, which while large, was relatively light on flavor. The pork is tender but bland. I wished we had some more of the delicious guac to smother all over it. 4 stars for service. Our server wasn't very helpful with recommendations but she was always around when we needed her. Overall, a nice experience. I like the sunny deck out front.
(4)Angela G.
Good food, small portions. Rationed chips and salsa and chips not so good. Overpriced.
(3)Marce M.
Pros: love the decoration, atmosphere is very traditional. Cocktails are amazing! Cons: food is ok but pricey. I had the same rude and impatient waiter a few times.
(3)Rosanne M.
We always love this place. The people who run it are so nice. Drinks are great!
(5)Rose G.
With such a promising name, we thought perhaps we had finally found good Mexican food in Massachusetts. We were wrong. The food is bland and like something you would get in a chain "Mexican" restaurant. Servers were very nice, decor is pretty. Unfortunate food.
(2)Leah K.
I was brought back to my January vacation to Mexico just by stepping into this restaurant. It's like a vacation! We were seated on the porch, which was perfect in the leftover evening heat (90 degree day, UGH). We ordered a carafe of Mango agua fresca, which I definitely suggest you order. It was so refreshing and delicious. As flavorful as mango juice, but not as sugary sweet. We then decided to share the tilapia tacos, flautas de pollo, and the nachos. The tacos were delicious, with a green and red sauce, radishes, fried fish, avocado, and onions. The flautas were very good, so crispy! I really loved them. The nachos were good, but as soon as they weren't hot, not as good. Could have used some more chips. The toppings on them are very delicious! The staff was super friendly and accommodating. They had great recommendations. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Shari T.
Always love coming here. Great food, different choices than the usual TexMex fare, and they make an awesome margarita.
(4)Luis F.
Great place. Main courses were delicious. Free table salsa was yummy and surprisingly spicy. They have a very good kids menu with some simple basics and even french fries for the kids who won't try anything. The margaritas were very flavorful. I tried the El Diablo, which was VERY spicy but not in an unmanageable way. Only complaint was that the special house guacamole was really super bland. Not sure what was missing but it was disappointing. That was the only down note on a great meal. The Carnitas was great!
(4)Bruce G.
Three of us stayed just part of a day & overnight in Great Barrington. Our motel desk man recommended the Xicohtencatl Mexican Restaurant. My wife had a version of a taco Salad. It was kind of Tex-Mex. She said it was "OK". Our friend got a vegetarian enchilada which she liked. They had Modelo beer that she likes that evidently most Mexican restaurants do not have. I got the Camarones Machos Grande which I LOVED. This was real Mexican food... shrimp (large) over sort of braised greens over yellow rice! I spent a month in Mexico years ago. My meal was equal to the best of my meals in Mexico. I also had a Margarita which was very good. The service was prompt & efficient. I thought that the prices were reasonable. Would I go back? Yes, but my meal was so good that I am not sure that I would order anything else for a while.
(5)Andrea B.
Holy guacamole, this place is great! Don't ask me how to pronounce the restaurant name, but I was very impressed with the food here. Everything we tried was fresh and delicious and not at all greasy. Chips and salsa were brought to the table as soon as we were seated, and they were replenished as needed. Drinks and appetizers came next. I highly recommend you try some of their margaritas, particularly the blue raspberry and prickly pear, both of which were strong but also refreshing and delicious. We had the fried calamari, quesadillas, and something called Tostadas de Pueblo for appetizers. The former two were forgettable, but the latter was the best part of the meal. It consisted of two tortillas piled high with refried beans, lettuce, onions, chicken, salsa, and sour cream. That's like a whole bunch of my favorite things all in one! I got an order of chicken tacos for my entree. They were good, but the best part was definitely the housemade tortillas. I could eat them entirely plain and still be perfectly content, they were just that good. For dessert, we tried the fried ice cream and mango cheesecake. Both were pretty good. It's hard to impress me when it comes to cheesecake (Nothing can beat what my mom makes), but the crust on Xicohtencatl's version was phenomenal. And the mango chunks were plentiful too. One of my favorite things about Xicohtencatl (boy, that's a fun word to type) is that they don't skimp on anything. Portion sizes were generous. And I didn't have to hunt for any of the ingredients listed on the menu. if they said the tacos came with chopped onions, they didn't mean one or two pieces that you have to use a magnifying glass to find. The menu said onions, and I got onions! I asked for sour cream on my tacos, and they didn't give me half a teaspoon's worth. I said sour cream, and they gave me plenty! This was a welcome change of pace compared to many other restaurants I've been to recently. I will definitely be back next time I'm in the area. There's a whole lot on the menu that I'd still like to try.
(4)E H.
Was only okay. And they don't give free chips and salsa when you sit down, which is a real let down...
(2)Sarah G.
I decided to round up to three stars from a 2.5 food star experience mainly because I loved the fact that Matt J. and I could actually try a Berkshire area Mexican spot. It is super colorful and we definitely took some awesome photos here where we saw a different type of color in comparison to the fall colors we made out trip for! The food was just okay though. I also don't like having to pay extra for chips and salsa--call me a spoiled Californian, but I think everyone pretty much associates getting Mexican food with chips and salsa so it should be part of the experience. Prices on the main brunch dishes were very reasonable though, but I wouldn't say it was the best food in the world, but that pineapple agua fresca was quite delicious!!! Matt J. and I could have drank another pitcher of that easily for sure. Food wise we got a special stewed chicken and rice that was just so so and a chile relleno dish that was also just so so. It was all fine, but really for Mexican I was expecting more seasoning and such, but the service was great, we could sit outside on their awesome porch, so it was a great stopping point on our trip! And don't change the decor at all! So fun!
(3)D M.
Yes I'm fan and I have been a fan for a while. That being said I do have a few complaints. We visited the restaurant over the weekend. Meals and drinks were very good. We sat on the wrap around porch which was also very pleasant. While we had decent service the server was not as pleasant as she could have been. Is this so bad? Well the meal and experience is better when the person who serves you your meal has a happy pleasant demeanor. Ok so not the worst thing that could have happened. After we had dinner we had leftovers as we always do. We asked our server to wrap them up to go. On our plates was plenty of sauce which adds to the flavor and enjoyment of having the meal. When we got home and opened our containers we saw that there was no sauce included in our meal. We were very disappointed to say the least. It was then that it made perfect sense to me that a server who I suspected did not like what she was doing would not take the time and effort to add the leftover sauce to our takeout containers. Next time we will ask that it be included and in addition ask for extra on the side to ensure that we have enough sauce. Just a heads up for others who like to eat here.
(4)Quentin B.
There is quality food, this is one of my favorite restaurants the dessert, guacamole and burritos are all amazing.
(5)Sarah C.
Stopped in with a group for a late-ish dinner after our rehearsal at Tanglewood on a Friday night. Pretty packed, but a table for 6 was free for us. It was EXTREMELY hot outside so we were fine that they only had an indoor table, but the A/C needs some work in there. Service was great, menu is huge (could use a little more focus, or at least direction to patrons). Friends got margaritas which they seemed to like - I shared some mango agua fresca (basically water blended with mango puree as far as I could tell). Chips were delicious, the guacamole especial was good but perhaps a bit expensive. I ordered the Chicken Mole Crepes which were awesome, and perfectly spicy/chocolatey. For $18 they had good flavor, and there was plenty of it. Friends seemed happy with their shrimp fajitas. Overall a good place to go with friends when you want mexican food. Nothing fancy, prices a bit high on average, but a good hang-out spot if you're not expecting to be wowed. A-OK.
(3)Presley A.
Been here roughly three times and each time it is a decent eating experience, but not earth shattering by any means. They make an honest attempt to serve authentic Mexican cuisine, in addition to the tacos/burritos fare that is to be expected, and they make use of organic and local ingredients to the extent that they can and for that I give them a lot of credit,. but somehow, it doesn't ever add up to a four star or five star experience. For example, I order the Ceviche Tropical, and it was generous far beyond my expectations (some might even say gratuitous) but it was obviously not freshly prepared, but rather spooned out of a refrigerated stockpile of the stuff. and although it got better as it thawed out, it was just indelicate, and a little tough. Another example - Kim ordered the signature soup, which includes a crab claw dunked into the tomato base, but how the hell are you supposed to address a crab claw dunked in tomato broth without making a royal mess of yourself? And even if you were game, there are no claw cracking tools provided. It looks good but is a totally impractical fantasy. My Macho Grande shrimp selection was tasty but really, nothing special. And the Tres Leches desert was overdone, with condensed milk dressing drowning the cake, and despite the dousing, the pastry was not juicy, as it is supposed to be, but more like mexican pound cake. The hand made hot chocolate was, however, outstanding. And the menu is too large. It's all great sounding but has a tendency to blend into blandness due to the repetition of ingredients in each and every dish. I would prefer a smaller selection with more attention paid to each preparation. I liked the drinks - I had a Diablo Margarita, which consisted of Tequila, Lime, Cilantro, Brandy and Jalapeno and it was quite tasty. All in all, if you're in the area and you have a hankering for Mexican, it's a worthy choice, especially compared to the typical taco/burrito oriented restaurant and especially in the warmer weather when the patio areas are open for dining.
(3)Danner S.
Bland food, slow service, very pricy for what you are served. My go to at any Mexican restaurant is Carnitas, so I ordered some here. 45 minutes later it shows up, 6 quarter sized pieces of meat on rice with a teaspoon of guacamole and sour cream. Very bland, no tortillas, but there were 2 tortilla chips on the plate!
(2)May W.
so disappointing to see their prices have been raised too high and their portions sizes are smaller. Been a patron for years and enjoyed the moderate pricing and ample portions. Now, they seem to have outpriced themselves, offer 5 free tortilla chops with a dollop of salsa and when we asked for me more they informed me that there would be a $1 charge! Their portion size for their above average Mexican fare has simultaneously been reduced. Won't return until they get a reality check and bring their good pricing back and generously serve tortilla chips and salsa on the house ! Very sad to see this casual Mexican restaurant think they can get away with this! They just lost a long time fan!
(1)Cavan K.
Had lunch here last summer and it must have been an off day. Went back last month for an early pre-Tanglewood supper and had a much better experience. My wife and I shared the camarones appetizer with a delicious ice cold glass of Sauv. Blanc. The Tacos were fantastic: grilled pork and also the grilled chicken. Great seating on the lovely sunny porch. The main dining room, by the time we left, was packed by 6:30 pm.
(4)Kira S.
My family & I love this place! We discovered this wonderful restaurant last year for the first time, and were excited all year 'round to go again. (We come to Great Barrington each winter to ski.) The food is incredible and the service is even better. Just go. You'll be glad you did. (And don't forget to make a reservation for those busy weekend nights.) Yelp won't let me give it 11 stars or I would.
(5)Jennifer E.
I'm not normally a huge fan of Mexican food, this place changed me. They squeeze the limes for their margarita's - you cannot imagine how delicious these margaritas are. I have not had a bad meal there yet. It can get super crowded on a Saturday night. Great place to go - nice people.
(4)Mike P.
This place has pretty decent food and the service is good but there is one thing that has happened to me on both visits to Xicohtencatl; We ordered the guacamole. It came out and was quite a large portion and very good. It was served with a very small basket of chips - not nearly enough for the amount of guacamole. We asked for more chips. Moments later the chips arrive. No salsa was served, We asked for some. Moments later, salsa arrives. When the bill arrives - THEY CHARGED FOR THE CHIPS AND FOR THE TINY CUP OF SALSA! Noting on the menu regarding pricing of a extra chips and some salsa with the chips. IF YOU ASK FOR SOMETHING BE SURE TO ALSO ASK - HOW MUCH?!
(2)Carole B.
I've eaten food all over Mexico, and I have to say this was one of the blandest "Mexican" meals I've had. The mole was two dimensional, probably the worst I've had, but what really got me was the super small portions and $14 guacamole. Really?? And when we asked for sour cream on the side, they gave us about a tablespoon and charged a dollar for it! Good grief. It's that kind of petty thing that completely turns me off. I have to say the service was friendly and efficient, hence two stars instead of one. Never again. I've had better food at less than half the price.
(2)Carlos S.
One star because of three strikes. First, the worst nickel-and-dime restaurant I have ever been to. Second, bland food and small portions. Third, horrible attitude by management. I hate restaurants that nickel-and-dime. It's bad enough we have to put up with it from airlines. My wife and I came here for lunch. After ordering a half-carafe of Sangria and a Margarita, we asked for chips and salsa to nosh on while we waited for our food. Sure, the waitress said, a small basket of chips for $2. My wife ordered fajitas. She asked whether she could have some cheese. Of course, the waitress said, a small plastic cup of shredded cheese for another $2. It really is not the $4. It's the principle of the thing. When I go to a restaurant with tablecloths and waiters and corresponding prices, I don't want to be nibbled to death with extra charges. Just price your food appropriately. But what really got me was management's attitude. On the way out, I politely told the manager that this was a bad practice. His response was to tell me that "it's a business" (a bad one) and that "all Mexican restaurants charge extra for chips and salsa" (a lie, as probably everyone reading this knows). He then had the b***s to ask why I would expect something for free. I gave him a piece of my mind, which I won't recount here. Suffice it to say, I won't be back, although we have a summer home here and come by a few times every summer. Too bad, the place has a nice porch and the Margaritas are pretty good. However, the food comes in small portions and is probably the blandest Mexican food this side of Taco Bell, although quite a bit pricier. All of these flaws have been amply noted by other reviewers. I actually hate writing bad reviews. But I've decided that if a restaurant is disrespectful to customers, whether in attitude or actions, I'm going to note the fact and not just keep it to myself. The owner of this restaurant might want to read the reviews of his restaurant before he starts charging extra for salt and pepper.
(1)Robert Q.
So bummed. We always liked this place and had a number of nice dinners there, but something must have gone wrong this season. We arrived around 8 which didn't seem late, we wanted to sit outside so we got a table and as I sat down my chair was wet, turns out the bus staff throws the water off the porch and I guess they don't care whether it gets on the chairs. Ok we got through that. Anyway that led me to look around, straws, drink tops, paper under the tables. I guess they don't care about cleaning up either. Order margaritas, no salt, guess not... salt it is. but it gets worse. Portions were small, my son's burrito was all rice. He's only ten but he knew enough to say something to me. I had fajitas ($22) barely had enough to share with my son. My wife ordered some guacamole to fill up the kids... good money after bad, you get a half bowl of chips and the tiniest "taster" of guac. Bug zapper is going full blast, it was quite funny actually if there wasn't a bill associated with it. We'll drive to Pittsfield the next time
(2)Scott M.
Ordered takeout from here upon recommendation from a friend. Food was bland and the 4 dishes we ordered tasted the same. After I paid I asked for an extra pico de gallo on the side, to which the hostess Said "would you like to place an order for one? That will be $1.50....." When I asked the host to double check there were chips in the Togo bag he said yes there were chips. When I got home there were no chips in the bag. I called up and he could care less. He didn't even invite me to come back to the restaurant to pickup some. Awful customer service!!! Save your time and find another restaurant that cares about their customers!
(1)Linda Z.
I was surprised to see how many negative reviews this place received, since we loved it. It may have helped that we went there on a Thursday, when it was far from empty but not jammed. We found the food well prepared and didn't think it was especially expensive at all. We sat on the deck on a summer evening, had a great margarita and totally enjoyed our meals. And for us the service was fantastic. Everyone seemed friendly and eager to be helpful, and we had a great talk with our waitress. Being there added to our enjoyment of our outing in the Berkshires.
(5)Deborah P.
Party of 11 (of which we had 6 kids 7yrs old and younger) had a reservation and were promptly seated. We were seated all the way to the left of the restaurant which is sort of "outdoor patio" although enclosed but not very warm. Chairs were flimsy at best and definitely not child friendly based on the fact that 4 of the kids fell off chairs. Table was sort of like a picnic table and had slats in it so needless to say we lost a lot of silverware! Waitress was mediocre at best and service was slow! I ordered a grilled shrimp avocado salad......BIG mistake!!! Salad looked great and it came with 4 jumbo shrimp. The shrimp was not shelled or deveined!?!?! We complained to the "manager" and his response was "he has served shrimp that way for 11 years and never had a complaint".....and that he would give us a "discount". For starters I don't even think Red Lobster would serve shrimp that hasn't been deveined!! That is disgusting!! Response/reaction from management was pathetic!! Oh yes....our "discount" was $4.00 off the salad!? Lots of lessons to be learned here!! Step up your service, train your managers and teach your chefs how to devein shrimp!!
(1)Joseph M.
This restaurant is just awesome. Great food, consistently improves year after year. I love the Mole, Authentic Mexican dining. Great drinks, friendly service. Easy choice to make.
(5)Santha W.
Love Mexican. I can't wait to come back.
(5)Brian M.
We liked our food. The menu had plenty to choose from other than the typical tacos or burritos that you'd find at most Mexican places. The rice and beans were very good and the enchilladas had very good flavor and the perfect amount of spice. What we didn't like was paying $17 for enchilladas. Don't get me wrong, they use quality, fresh ingredients and the food is well prepared. But it was only a small notch above the place I typically go to back home and they only charge $8 for a comparable dish.
(3)Merida F.
We arrived right during dinner rush on a Friday night and were seated right away in the dining room. However, it took a while for our waiter to finally come over and take our order. We also received a basket of chips and salsa, which I thought might have been the best part of the meal! I had the Mexicano Eskipto (I think was how it was spelled) which was featured as one of the specials of the night. It was baked and came with queso melted on top. My friend ordered the nachos and liked them, but they were nothing to write home about. My other friend ordered Chiles Rellenos de Espinaca and said they were great but the waiter had forgotten the rice and beans side dish which took away some of the enjoyment. For such a small town out in the "country" we were pleasantly surprised and vastly enjoyed our meal. the restaurant itself has a great ambiance and a very lovely wrap-around porch diners can sit on.
(4)Anthony S.
A big disappointment from what it used to be. 3 years ago this was a very special restaurant. Not anymore. Now they cut corners on the food. Weak drinks. Stale, tiny chips. Bland salsa. Enchiladas seemed reheated. Rice & beans that seemed to come out of a can. And it's expensive for Mexican. So, it's sad, but this is the last time we'll go to xicoh.
(2)Celia B.
I really liked the food here and thought that the service was great. The atmosphere was really nice. It was clean and festive inside. A great place to go out with an old friend (as I did!). My main complaint is the price. We ordered margaritas, which were pretty strong and tasty, but can't remember the price on those. We got ordered house made guacamole, which was fantastic, but was $9.00. For my meal I ordered an enchildada (which I made vegan by holding off on the cheese). The enchilada is $16.00! Being from California, where delicious mexican food is abundant, I have never paid such prices! The good thing is that the portion was pretty large and the food was indeed fresh and satisfying. I took some home for lunch the next day. Probably wouldn't return because of the prices, but they do have good food and service if you are willing to pay a bit more.
(3)Jeff R.
Red sauce and guac are delicious. We had a steak burrito and chicken quesadilla. Both great. Quesadilla was about half the size of what I expected.
(3)Meredith D.
Pricey, so-so food, slow service. Speaking to the manager revealed the source of the mediocre service; she was unfriendly and interrupted us while talking to answer a phone call. Delicious margaritas, as others have stated, but far too expensive! A shame, since I love good Mexican food. But you won't find it here, and certainly not for justifiable prices.
(1)Z P.
2/3 of my vegetarian fajitas plate was white rice and really runny refried beans. The little pile of sauteed veggies (the supposed fajitas) was totally bland. So I asked for some hot sauce, expecting the usual bottle of tabasco or similar. The waiter appeared quite a while later with a little dish of something that looked like a liquid chipotle mayo and said: "hot sauce." What he failed to mention was that it was a side of habanero salsa (at least 100 times hotter than your regular cayenne chili variety, according to Scoville scale) and that he was charging us $2 for it. How come when a waiter brings you a warm plate, s/he is required to warn you that it's hot; and they fail to warn you that the sauce is made with habanero peppers? Don't get me wrong: I love very spicy food. And it was my mistake to not taste the sauce before adding it, somewhat recklessly, to my plate. Well, it went from bland to inedible. When we tried to complain, the waiter laughed and said "Yes, it's VERY VERY hot." Did I ask for VERY VERY hot sauce? No. Why did you decide to bring me the hottest of your variety of salsas, charge me $2 for a tiny serving and fail to inform me about either of these facts? No idea. A few notes in addition to the spasms of my fire-engulfed esophagus: 1. Ok but not exciting food 2. Overpriced, small portions 3. Trying to be upscale and authentic but failing at both (nothing compared to the yummy food anywhere in Mexico) 4. Packed with shrieking kids (did they also ask for some hot sauce???)
(1)Pocohantus W.
Mediocre food but really poor service. We went in early on a Saturday night and was seated next to the hidden door to the restroom. The restaurant was empty and although small, there were other choices, like the booths which were "reserved". The service did not get any better, and the food was at best just ok. There are many better choices in Great Barrington, so don't waste your money or time here.
(1)Jean Kim C.
Great service, food, and atmosphere. We're definitely coming back!
(4)Tom R.
Not your typical Tex-Mex, this stylish restaurant serves imaginative fare using ingredients and flavors from south of the border in the very northern setting of the Berkshires in Massachusetts. The cilantro-rich salsa was made with fresh tomatoes, and the vegetable fajitas were bright and tasty. I would love to return and try the chiles rellenos made with shiitake mushrooms.
(4)Matthew P.
Went on a cold Monday night and it hit the spot! Some friends and I were staying in the Berkshires and decided to go out on a Monday nigh for dinner. Almost everything was closed aside from Xicohtencatl. Our server was really friendly and laid back, he suggested we started off with the fresh Guacamole, so glad he did, because it was served traditionally in a Molcajete and SO delicious. We also had the Pozole, which was perfect. For our Entrees we had Tacos al Pastor, which was Lean pork marinated and grilled in the Pastor style wrapped in a flour tortilla with pineapple salsa and chipotle sauce - Spicy and sweet, pork was tender, Amazing Mole Poblano, traditional mole, a delicious alchemy of almonds, chocolate, and six chilies, served over boneless breast of organic chicken - this was so rich and full of flavor, we ate every last drop of this sauce with rice Enchiladas Especial, Two enchiladas chipilo, chicken with salsa verde with actual creme fresh and cheese - This was also perfect and reminded my friend of how he ate these back home Snapper Steak with Guajillo Cream Sauce, Filet of Red Snapper broiled to perfection and topped, with a unique guajillo chile cream sauce, served with the best mexican rice you've ever tasted and sautéed spinach - This was divine, the fish was cooked perfectly, the creme sauce brought out the intensity of the guajillo pepper nicely while also keeping the heat tame, Favorite dish for sure. Being a chef, I am always so fascinated with what Mexican chefs do with their chile peppers, not to mention sauces as well!
(5)Doreen G.
Love the food and the service. Very authentic Mexican cuisine. The atmosphere was festive.
(4)Debrin S.
Excellent margaritas- I had the Pomagrita- w pomegranate juice on the rocks no salt & we had Camarones Machos Grande- excellent marinated & grilled shrimp which they served as an appetizer rather than an entree, Quesadilla con pollo w fresh guacamole & jalapenos. Dined al fresco as it was 70s & sunny. Excellent service. The Mole sauce is suppose to be amazing but didn't try it. Typical decor- very colorful.
(3)Marie M.
I could not wait to pay and leave!! The three plates we order were amazingly flavorless not to mention that the portions were extremely small. Sitting inside... we had to kill three flies and two mosquitoes. Marginal service, didn't offer drinks, chips (served only by request)... Again, could not wait to pay and leave. I am never going back or recommending this place.
(1)Dave S.
Gross! Everytime I eat here, I am not impressed. I've also been into the kitchen before, very dirty and not up to code at all.
(1)Diggory D.
Stopped in after being told to check it out by friends. Very impressed with the food and would definitely go back. Staff very friendly and we didn't have to wait long for our meal which can often be the case in Great Barrington restaurants.
(4)Melissa S.
Love the food here. The mole is excellent and so are the margaritas. There is a consistent issue with very spotty service and things seem disorganized in how they are run. Get the service straightened out and I will give it 5 stars.
(3)Amy C.
My fiance and I had dinner at this restaurant while on vacation in the Berkshires. The man at the front desk of our hotel recommended it, so we gave it a try. The decor is fun, and our waiter was very polite (though he didn't speak much English). However, the food was not what we expected based on what we paid for it. The complimentary tortilla chips came with a small bowl of pico de gallo (chopped up tomatoes and other various veges and spices) and not the normal liquid salsa I was expecting. When we ordered the "Nachos con Queso" as an appetizer, because I wanted that spicy cheese dip that Mexican restaurants are usually known for, we received a small bowl of chips covered in melted, shredded cheese. It looked and tasted the same as when I was 10 years old and would microwave some store brand Mexican cheese over nacho chips and call it dinner. For entrees, my fiance had some type of fish (I don't eat seafood so I don't remember) and he said it was good. I ordered tacos and specified that I only wanted the meat, lettuce, cheese, taco sauce, and sour cream in them (I don't do tomatoes or onions). I politely asked the waiter to write this down so he would remember, and he scribbled something on a notepad. When my tacos arrived to the table, they only had meat, sauce, and lettuce in them. I called the waiter over and asked for some shredded cheese and sour cream (which were all listed as being on the tacos on the menu) and he brought them promptly. However, when we got our bill, he had charged me $2.00 for a side of cheese and $1.00 for a side of sour cream! I didn't complain to the manager over $3.00, but it bothered me enough to mention it in this review. The rice pudding and mango cheesecake were great. The frozen margaritas were ok, but didn't contain enough alcohol for their $9 each pricetag. For an appetizer, two entrees, two desserts, and four margaritas, our bill came to just over $100. Would I go back if I was in the area? Maybe...but probably not.
(2)Christin K.
Ambiance - fantastic! We sat on the spacious outdoor veranda which had beautiful low lighting and lots of great wild-looking plants all around. Service - also excellent! The waitress was friendly, professional, and helpful. Food - good. I ordered a non-traditional Mexican dinner of spinach salad with apples and goat cheese & a side of grilled corn on the cob with lime and sea salt. Price - my one major complaint. We paid $13 for an appetizer of guacamole which was definitely not quite that special.
(4)Sharon D.
This is one of my top three restaurants in GB. I love the food. Service is always great and plesant. I go at least once a month
(4)Ira H.
Went here for lunch. Great Ambiance. I had the chicken Fajitas. Very authentic Mexican tastes with a nice hot Jalapeno in the rice. gripe: only one tortilla was served with the meal. usually, other restaurants give 3. I complained and heard it was $1 for each extra tortilla. I was brought another for free.. If you need a chip refill... $2. My wife had a veggie buritto she thought it was OK. Daughter had a chicken enchilada. OK again. For my picky 5 year old son, they graciously made a sauteed chicken dish for him. It was really oily but, a nice gesture. $4 for each kid meal is cheap. They should charge $6 for the kids and remove the chip and tortilla charges. We will return.
(4)Trisha W.
It's not fair to point fingers and put all the blame on one person or thing, but I get the picture... they invested a lot into the decor and feel of the restaurant and I believe they are compensating by SKIMPING OUT ON THE FOOD (Quality + portions), over charging on all the dishes and extras. Where's the rest of the chips? The guacamole was disguised with green bell peppers. That is unheard of! Quite an original way of stuffing the bowl. Good for: margaritas ($8-13 each) and guacamole ($13). It'd be different if they charged you for chip refills if they first give you enough to finish your guacamole. The service was dodgy, but that isn't to say that they were rude, they were just really busy which is understandable-but we waited 15 minutes to get water. Had to give the snapper a funeral because it was fishy and not fresh. My fajitas came with only 2 tortillas and 4 pieces of shrimp. The grand total for 2 people came out to $75... enough said? Park at your own risk, very small parking lot, space is limited, dirt lot.
(1)Gregory M.
Went for lunch and ate outside. Had been there before for dinner and thought it was good but overpriced. Lunch menu is pretty simple but good and priced accordingly. Wait staff was nice. Recommend the guacamole; it's priced about double what it should be, but it's killer.
(4)Lisa E.
Salty. Pricey.Buggy.Salty.
(2)Ben R.
Perhaps some of the most delicious, fresh, authentic mexican food I've enjoyed in the Northeast to date. I'm sure there are less discovered restaurants and simplified menus to be seen, but frankly I don't believe purist is always perfection. Their guacamole is very simple with avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, onion, and just the right squeeze of lime. Seafood, Mole, Tofu, Tacos... What can't be enjoyable here? Their nonalcoholic drinks are magnificent on a hot evening and round off fine meals complete with wonderful deserts from crepes to sweet milk cake.
(5)B B.
The food was okay. The service, however, was terrible. One person seated us (typical) and another took our drink order. Waited 20 minutes for drinks until the actual waitress finally showed to take our order. That was the second to last time we saw her. A different person brought the food. No one checked on us to see if we needed more drinks or water. Eventually someone (another unfamiliar face) swung by to collect our plates and we asked for the waitress (to get the check). Waited fifteen minutes, no one showed. This is when it gets good. We are sitting at our table still waiting for signs of life to come and take my money when a friendly PIT BULL comes running up to our table. Fortunately I like dogs so I gave her a nice pat, but what the hell is a dog doing running around a restaurant seating area? Turns out it was the owner's dog and was promptly collected by... the hostess maybe? We were seated outside, so I got up and entered the restaurant and approached the closest employee I could find and asked if I could please pay for my meal. She went and got the waitress from some recess in the restaurant. I payed at the bar, refusing to allow her out of my sight again because I didn't know how long I would be waiting to sign the receipt. How much of a tip did I leave? Hah. Will never go back. Portions were very small for a mexican restaurant and the prices outrageous (for what is basically just beans and rice).
(2)Jim G.
The reviews of this place are all over the map. We only stopped in for drinks and an appetizer after a hike. It was too early for dinner, so this review will be a bit limited. But this place is far superior to that disappointing Brew Pub right down the street. It was about 4, and we had just finished a hike on Mt Everett. First thing we notice, this place is staffed by folks who actually appear to be Mexican. That's a good sign. Chips, fresh salsa, and water were promptly delivered. We each had the El Corazon margarita, on the rocks. Mine with salt, the missus without. They were a tad expensive at $12 a pop, but very good. I prefer Cointreau over Grand Marnier, but they didn't seem to offer that option. Still, good second choice, better than Triple Sec. We also shared a Ceviche, and that was very nice too. Big chunks of white fish, and other stuff in there. Served with more freshly made chips. They were chowing on salad with large grilled shrimp at the table next to ours, and that looked pretty good too. If the opportunity comes up, we will certainly give the full dinner a shot. The only nit, and it's a small one, is that they could use something to block the noise from the busy street.
(4)Roland M.
This place did not live to my expectations. Being from Las Vegas, NV, Mexican food is one of my favorites. Xicohtencatl don't know how to cook rice. Their rice is half cooked. Their tortilla chips appetizer is so limited that I swear there are less than 10 chips in that basket. They placed the salsa in the basket to make it look like there's plenty of chips in the basket. In addition their burrito is the worst I ever had. My friends that I was dinning with we're not happy either. The worst part was the waitress did not come back at all after I returned the half cooked rice. I will not go back to this restaurant again. I won't recommend this to anyone.
(1)Pat G.
Staff was pleasant but not the food or drinks. We've come here on an yearly basis, and learned the hard way that things really do change in a year. The frozen margaritas wee tasteless, the sprite was flat, the guacamole was very watery, dishes were not exceptional, except the one that came with a cricket. Not planning to return unless we hear that things change.
(2)Steve B.
Food was ok but this was by far the most expensive Mexican joint I have ever been to. Service was marginal. Water glasses did not get refilled even once. Only provided two tortillas for each order of fajitas. I won't be going back.
(1)Tricia S.
I will say first off that my review here is based primarily on the extremely poor service we received when we recently had dinner at this restaurant. To begin, our reservation did not appear to exist when we arrived. We were informed of this by the owner, with absolutely no apology. We were asked to wait at the bar, which we did, thinking it would be about a ten minute wait. After 45 minutes, the owner came and asked us if we still wanted a table. I was rather surprised at This question but we all heartily agreed that we were starving. He left again, presumably to continue to look for that elusive table for three. After another long wait , he came back and said that if we still wanted the table we were going to have to come that minute. Excuse me? We had been waiting at this point over an hour and a half. As the conversation was great and the restaurant very busy we thought we were being beyond patient and understanding, but at this point we were extremely annoyed. The owner's attitude was one of annoyance at us ! Very confusing! I will suffice it to say that the food was very good and that once the waitress appeared ( yet another 15 min wait) we were we'll served. Had I not eaten at this restaurant many times I would never go back, but as I live in the area and have never had a similar experience I will give it another try.
(2)Cassie M.
This is not a place for those seeking fine dining, that being said however, I've always enjoyed myself here. The staff are very friendly and accommodating, the drinks are delicious and the menu is varied and interesting. The food is always good, never spectacular, never bad. If you're looking for quality Mexican food in an area that doesn't provide many options, you're bound to be pleasantly surprised.
(4)Abbe C.
We should have driven past this restaurant. The service was slow beyond belief, with an order of juice in an unpopulated restaurant taking over 30 minutes, and just as long to have my order taken while diners arriving after me were seeing drinks and appetizers. One of our party had to send back everything because the food kept coming out laced with something she told the waitress she was allergic to. Did the waitress merely try to pick out the allergen with her fingers? Anyone with a food allergy knows how microscopic amounts of the allergen can cause a full-blown reaction. My burrito (without the tortilla to make it gluten free) was bland and unremarkable, and I am pretty sure that diet coke is brown and more opaque than transparent. I had no appetizer, no booze and no dessert, and for $18, if I can't get food with some imagination, a smile and some attention from the server shouldn't be that much to ask for. While the diner with a food allergy had to give up and watch the rest of us eat with no food in front of her, and while I found this to be the worst bargain in the Berkshires, other members of our party seemed to enjoy their alcoholic beverages quite a bit. If you need food to slow down the buzz and won't die of anaphylaxis when the kitchen screws up the same order multiple times, I suppose this is as good a place as any to tie one on. Just pop by Catherine's afterward and buy chocolates for your designated driver, because without alcohol, his experience will be abysmal. Overpriced, teenagers waiting tables with no adult supervision, and God help you if you have anywhere to go after your meal or have a food allergy.
(2)Matthew P.
I need to preface my review by saying that I am a former Northern California Mexican-food snob who enjoys small taquerias. And I am officially staggered by the lack of taquerias in this area, while high-end Mexican restaurants seem to flourish. Now that we have that out of the way, on to the good the bad and the ugly. We sat at the bar and had some appetizers, drinks, and split an entree. The Good The service was very attentive and professional. The seasonings were divine. We had calamari over mesclun that was awesome. Also complimentary chips and salsa, which some upscale Mexican joints feel compelled to charge for...and the salsa was delicious. The enchiladas were delicious and the decor is very nice inside. The Bad The portions on the nachos were downright skimpy...$11 for nachos with chicken and it was in a sad looking little salad bowl. The margarita was tasty, but when I finished it, the small glass was still packed with ice...too much ice in too small of a glass. The Ugly The bill is just staggering. Unfortunately, most of the restaurants in this area are catering to high-end clientele, so the concept of regular folk going out a couple of nights a week for dinner just doesn't happen at this type of restaurant...not really their fault, just economics. Also, they charged $2 for a side dish of hot sauce. This has always been a dicey proposition in the restaurant business (whether to charge for sauces or disclose a charge in advance of serving it...yes it probably is on the menu somewhere!), but I really just wanted a bottle of hot sauce. They could have a generic sauce (like ketchup at a burger joint that they serve) or try to upsell you to a special sauce. Very good food and service, some menu items are overly pricey for what you get while others are reasonable, and the experience was mostly positive.
(4)Neha S.
Checked out this place for lunch. We walked in and asked for a table for two. The hostess remained on her cell phone the entire time while seating us - how rude! A waitress came out and I asked her for good vegetarian recommendations. She stated she was also a vegetarian then said there aren't a lot of veg options for lunch. I didn't understand since they had quesadillas, nachos, tacos, enchiladas and more on the menu! She was useless. Tried a mango/water juice that was pretty good and refreshing. Got the stuffed poblano pepper with spinach/cheese which was very bland. Side of guac was totally bland. Mom got nachos which weren't good either. Pretty awful mexican food and service, wouldn't recommend.
(2)Carissa S.
We love this place! They serve organic salads and great Mexican food for New England. Wished they offered black beans but unfortunately, the only beans they offer are re-fried. Service is great, atmosphere authentic and wonderful alfresco dining in the warmer months. Easy parking as they have their own lot.
(5)Stephanie A.
Truly one of the worst meals we've ever had. Ended up there after hours of tubing. Was packed, so figured it would be good. We were seven people (three adults, four kids) put at two tiny tables pushed together jammed in a tiny restaurant. All of this would have been acceptable if the food or service were decent. To start we ordered sangria which came out in a carafe with glasses filled with ice and seltzer. Weird. We were given two baskets of chips and pico de gallo which was good, but they advise on the menu that while the first basket is on the house, subsequent baskets will be charged at $2 per. Ordered guacamole at $13 per order. They only used one avocado in each order. When we saw how little there was, we ordered another. When we tasted the first we realized that it needed salt and lemon. The second order had too much lemon. So we combined the two to make them edible. I ordered shrimp fajitas. The shrimps were undercooked. I asked a random waiter (not ours, our waitress disappeared and did not bother to return even with the additional baskets of chips and salsa we ordered but never got) to have them cooked better. He came back a few minutes later to tell me that the chef said that they were cooked, they were pre-cooked, and might I want something else. I said "no, I'd like what I ordered, but cooked." About 10 minutes later they came back teeny tiny (because now they were cooked and had shrunk.) My friend's son wanted black beans but they only served refried beans. The rice that was served was minute rice which was clumpy, starchy and a big paste ball. The rice my son ordered never came out, which given the quality was okay, but we were charged for it - $3! My friend order hot sauce and was charged $2 for it! The meal cost $150, a total rip-off. My local Mexican restaurant is 100 times better and costs half as much. They clearly have a captive audience as there is very little in the area for after skiing. We would have been better off with the vending machines at the ski lodge.
(1)Laura O.
The five stars is for the appetizer, camerones machos. Shrimp the size of the palm of your hand, sauteed in butter, lime and jalapeno, served over fresh greens. Whoa. This might be the best appetizer I've ever had that involved shrimp. Be prepared that this requires peeling and you must not be afraid to make a mess. This is not a first-date kind of item to order. The mole sauce is worth it. It's not sweet. It's spicy and chocolate and wonderfully delicious. Although they are a bit stingy on the meat, served with corn tortillas and rice it was filling, if not seeming like filler. The calamari appetizer is beautiful and flavorful, but overcooked. Not fried! The wait staff was wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable and the drinks are well prepared and presented. Had a house margarita and it was divine. No sour mix involved. They have a lovely deck to eat outside. Authentic and extensive menu. Their website is quite helpful xicohmexican.com
(5)Cathy I.
Great house guacamole! Passionfruit margaritas are awesome.
(4)Luis And Nicole S.
Very good drinks, but rather pricey. Was there for lunch and the food was disappointing, small portions, and the most horrendous rice we have ever eaten.
(2)faine g.
EDITED FOR REDUNDANCY 9/10/07 - I returned to Xicohtencatl yesterday, and I can't say I was happy. My 10 dollar ensalada de aguacate was simply horrible, especially in comparasion to what I can get back home - how hard is it to source nice romaine instead of inispid gunk here in Organic Farm Land Massachusetts? The dressing was also boring and poorly mixed. Even I can do better. The chile rellenos with spinach was marginally better, but still suffered from a total overdose of not-that-tasty cheese at the bottom, which oddlly enough wasn't mixed with the spinach at all. The spicy sauce accompanying the big poblanos was good, but too water, and turned a rather off-putting color after mixing with the crema up top. Service was nice and friendly as always, and the porch is a really nice place to be this time of winter when a storm is rolling in. But watch out what you order. Authentic mid-country Mexican food in Great Barrington? What the hell? But there you have it. This brightly decorated restaurant is shooting for the real deal in an area that isn't exactly known for its thriving Mexican dining scene, putting forth an ambitious menu. It's a commendable mission, but does it succeed? The interior of the restaurant looks like the fever dream of a Oaxacan wood carving collector - all sorts of intensely colored lizards, dragons, and other animals peering out at you at strange animals. It's location in an old house gives it plenty of character, although the dining room can get a bit chilly in the evening. Chips and a pico de gallo type salsa come free to every table. These were decent renditions, although the chips were a bit greasy and "heavy" for my taste. The salsa really had nothing to commend or detract from it - you've had this fresh finely chopped stuff before. (And it's not spicy either.) The menu is large and features a wide variety of authentic Mexican dishes, rarely found in your average Mexican joint. There's a good selection of moles, enchilada dishes, some interesting mushroom related vegan specialties, and even some seafood, including a fried rainbow trout in verde sauce I was sorely tempted to order. There's also a selection of burritos and tacos for the less adventurous types. One warning: this place is *expensive*, especially for a Mexican restaurant. Price gouging isn't exactly unusual in the Berkshires, but something about dropping 17 bucks on a plate of chicken mole I've had before for 7 is a little grating to me. We ordered some guacamole. Xicoh's rendition is a bit unusual - it appeared to be finely pureed in a blender with a spicy kick of tomatillo sauce. This produced a somewhat smoother, gloppier texture then I prefer in my own guacamole, but the flavor was very crsip, spicy, and good. I just wish they'd mash it with a fork instead of throw it in a machine. My entree was the Pipian Con Pollo, featuring small pieces of chicken simmered in a lurid orange chipotle and sesame seed sauce. This was very tasty and had a decent quantity of spice - I could tell I was tasting something interesting. My only complaint is that the accompanying rice was extremely substandard (and why put hard, dried peas and corn in it, anyway?) My dining companion's selection were the Costillas de Puerco Con Chipotle - a small rack of pork ribs marinated in achiote paste, grilled, and served covered in a chipotle sauce. Although the amount of sauce was somewhat small, the rib I tried was cooked to a perfect degree - the meat was tender and almost sweet. This was accompanied by that same damn mediocre rice. Both entrees came with a bowl of warmed and not-half-bad corn tortillas - another testament to the restaurant's attempt at authenticity. Other dishes I've tried here include a bang-up rendition of chilaquiles (10.00), served for lunch. This dish features shredded corn chips in a super-tangy verde sauce, accompanied by a little sour cream and some tender shredded chicken. It's a spicy, carby wonder and simply divine for lunch. They also serve a red version for dinner - definitely worth a try. I've also enjoyed the Chile Rellenos De Espinaca, which are two roasted Anaheim chilies filled with a mixture of spinach and cheese. Although they weren't cooked to the level of soulful char that I really adore, they were certainly tasty, providing a nice alternative to the deep fried-and-egg drenched hedonism that a Tex-Mex chile relleno provides. Service is quick if a little brusque at times. The evening we were there, a couple of loud and increasingly drunk middle aged women filled us in about the state of their breasts in extremely distressing detail - be prepared to overhear every single shred of other people's discussions if you're seated in the booth. Xicohtencatl provides a truly impressive tequila and margarita menu, which is definitely worth perusing if you're one of those lucky jerks who are of the official drinking age. (But that's another rant.)
(3)R C.
I have decided to drop my previous 4 star rating from 2 years ago because this place has changed. For the worse. The reason? Service has dropped dramatically in quality (the last time we ate there we waited a half hour for the waiter to come after we were seated). The past four times we have eaten there, we finally make our order, and then we do not see the waiter for another half hour. Doesnt check in on us, doesnt seem to really be concerned about our table at all. Have to say, the drinks have dropped in quality as well. The drinks Im referring to are the $10 Margaritas and Mojitos - and at that price they should be killer! The food has remained pretty good. Still in the pricey side, but the portions of the entrees are big. There are alternatives now in town for Mexican fare, and until I hear that the service here has gotten better, we will pass on Xicoh.
(2)Crystal K.
I've been to Xicoh several times in the last couple of years and for the most part its been a great place (barring the 4th of July we went and found it short-staffed...they got the order and the bill wrong and we waited for an hour for them to get the credit card machine to work). They make all of the food fresh, including the chips, which are some of the best homemade tortilla chips I've had. Their margaritas are very very good and definitely unique. The food isn't overloaded with cheese or grease like most places. Instead it's fresh and pretty healthy. Their chicken soft tacos are very good. Sitting on the wrap-around porch in the summer is really nice.
(4)Amy A.
We stumbled on this place on Father's Day 2009 and were thrilled with our food. True, it's not a fancy place (located in an old home or store) but we were pleasantly surprised by the fresh ingredients and quality of our meal. We'd surely go back again if we were in the area.
(4)