I've been here 3 times, trying to give them more than 3 starts but I can't. They use quality and fresh ingredients, but my overall food experience is just OK. I've had better Mexican, mostly cheaper, in many other places. I've had different burritos and last time I had their Special Ahi Tuna Tostadas, which was spicy and the presentation was really good, however for $18 it should have more tuna on it. The waiting time is tooooo much. and as soon as you're seated, you'll notice the inefficient use of space. While their bar area is packed with people who are waiting for a table, the other area has lots of non-utilized space which they can put some tables, However, I'm not sure if their kitchen can support more people or not. to summarize my review, Food is just ok, but overpriced, waiting time is long and their bathroom is as big as half of their waiting/bar area. read more

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Forgotten multiple items on our take out orders a few times now. Not sure I can justify ordering from them again with the lack of attention to quality in fulfilling orders. Long time customer, sucks to feel this way about the service because we love to support local businesses... read more

I had family visiting from out of town and wanted to go to brunch. Don't go for brunch! Our food took about one hour to come out and when it arrived, one of the omletes was burnt and cold. We had to keep asking for refills. It was just bad. The server said the head brunch chef was off and it was clear that no one else knew how to run the kitchen and get out good food. I don't plan to go back and that's unfortunate because there aren't many brunch places in Syracuse. read more

Alto Cinco - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Loved this place! Fun restaurant with great authentic decor! Excellent cocktails and delicious food! Loved everything! Had the Chicken Tinga, Chicken Burrito, Monterey Quesadilla and Nachos! Cuauhtemo Margarita topped off with wine was so good I had two! Can't wait to go back! Waitress was great! read more

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I've only had takeout from here, and it was excellent every time. I will 100% be visiting once things open up. I love their quesadillas, even though the chips/salsa and burritos are great too! I think the catfish quesadilla is a home-run. It is unique and packed with flavor. This is a must-go in Syracuse and my go-to for takeout! read more

It had a long wait line at Friday night. For just 2 seats we waited for more than one hour. And there is no enough space for people who should wait for a long time. The waiter was a nice guy. Although I eliminated jalapeño from my burrito, that was still so hot. read more

Alto Cinco - Jerk chicken burrito - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I just heard that they are downsizing their menu! But no worries -- the catfish burrito will remain! I just had the bean and cheese burrito and it was delicious. They only 2 downsides: no refill for my ice tea (and u was sitting at the bar so it would have been easy to ask me) and they SILL give out those Jolly Ranchers. They might as well give away a ticket to a state fair ride. read more

Best Mexican in Syracuse! The selection, the portions, the flavor. If you are getting a burrito go with "covered" it is so good. Enough said! Beware though, the dining room is extremely small and does not seat many people. You could have to wait and when you do sit, it is tight quarters. read more

Fiesta Salad used to be my staple meal and Alto Cinco was my GoTo restaurant, but those days are gone. One year ago I went with friends and the Fiesta Salad was missing a key flavor that made it distinctive. The next time I went i had salmon instead and the portion was paltry. Last night a friend convinced me to get takeout from there (over a year later), and it was even worse. There were a few shreds of chicken and I nearly missed the essence of avocado that they waved over it. And the dressing was still bereft of flavor that it had in the past. Alas, my favorite restaurant and meal are only a faded memory. read more

Alto Cinco - Outside dining area on the sidewalk. - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Fresh Mexican food with awesome flavor. This was a go-to spot when I was in college, and after a recent visit, I was re-impressed with the food. I ordered the catfish burrito with the spicy-habanero inferno sauce. The fried catfish offers a crunchy outside with a soft flaky interior. The fresh made chips, and creamy guacamole were a nice addition to the meal. I don't know when I will make another trip up to The 'Cuse, but a trip to Alto Cinco will be included in my adventure. read more

7/2/16: We descended into the Westcott neighborhood in search of a living space and discovered this gem! Never had we even set foot in Syracuse, NY, we were in awe of this neighborhood's vibe of small businesses, friendly walking people and pets, quaint houses...it was all just so us! After seeing the 1st apartment in our housing journey, we walked a couple blocks to the mainstream area of Westcott and found Alto Cinco waiting for us. We hadn't eaten a proper meal yet having been traveling from Baltimore all day long. I was DYING for a margarita. The weather was nice so we sat outside and was immediately greeted by an amiable server, presenting us with menus. I was torn by the food options. I love a good taco and how could i choose between the unusual options of Jerk Chicken tacos vs Catfish tacos??? I got the Catfish tacos...so very good. 2 Soft flour tortillas (must be put on a grill or something b/c they are warm, crispy, and chewy all at the same time) filled w/ fried catfish strips (still and crackling when they get to the table) topped cheese, salsa, red onions (pickled?), cabbage, chipotle mayo & red sauce beside it was yellow rice with black beans atop and a bit of pico de gallo, AND a side salad of mixed salad greens in strips, carrots, scallions, and a ?chipotley-creamy salad dressing. My husband got jerk chicken enchiladas with steamed spinach and a big ole piece of cornbread. My margarita was perfection as well. read more

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Got the jerk chicken burrito upon recommendation from Alex L and others. It was delicious -- you have to get it. But be prepared, it's pretty spicy! This burrito is huge, and it's served with plenty of rice, beans, jalapeno slices, and a sweet mango slices. Man, so many flavors in one burrito. You get the sweet from the salsa, salty & savory from the chicken, creamy from the cheese, and the fresh-feeling from the rice. The beans give it that heartiness. The chicken... man... Usually with meats cut small and finely they can get lost in the rest of ingredients, but it was noticeable enough JUST to realize its taste. It was obviously marinated well, fiery, and fragrant, but there wasn't any smoky flavor like I thought was a part of jerk chicken dishes. 8/10 Like Alex L said, the corn bread was so good that I saved it for last. And yeah, it is better than Dino's. Although I did miss some of that "corn-feel" on the texture. But it was soft and spongy, so it's good enough. I had this meal with the saranac prism white ale. read more

Alto Cinco - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I no longer live in Syracuse but Alto is a must-visit every time I stop home... And when I say must-visit, I mean to go at least 3 times in a 4-5 day span. Their burritos are the best I've ever had, particularly the fried catfish. The flavors in the burrito are out of this world, so much so that once I leave Syracuse and come back down to DC, I have to get my hands on a burrito from anywhere else just as a heat-check and to set myself back to real world burrito expectations. Only thing stopping me from leaving that 5th star is the draft beer selection this time around. They featured Brooklyn Saison, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, and a couple of others. What happened to the Ithaca and/or Southern Tier beers?! Other than that, Alto continues to be a solid choice for late night eats (kitchen closes at 1:45 am) and their burritos are simply second to none. read more

Alto Cinco - Catfish burrito! - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I very recently moved to Syracuse and was recommended this place by a coworker. After reading reviews, I was so excited because it has such high ratings. I ordered 2 jerk chicken tacos, chips, guacamole and salsa for take-out. It came out to be $20 total plus tip...... Let me start by saying the chips, guac, and salsa are great. The jerk chicken tacos, however, were such a disappointment. When I first looked at the meat I had to do a double-take because the chicken was so dark it looked like steak. Disgusting. The ingredients didn't seem fresh at all to me - even the pineapples on the tacos looked like they came from a can. After choking down one taco (with a fork because it was very soggy), I couldn't bring myself to eat the other one because I was so disgusted by the awful quality of the chicken. Overall this place is definitely NOT worth the high price unless you're only coming for chips, guac & a drink. Such a let-down for a restaurant that prides itself in using "fresh" ingredients. read more

Alto Cinco - Jerk "chicken" taco - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Alto Cinco food is decent, nothing special but I'm here to talk about their management... I went in the establishment for a "walk in interview" that no one on the staff knew about. That tells me right there communication is at an all time low. It took 3 different people to talk to just to get a manager for a "walk in interview". Once I talked to "hiring manager" she told me serving and bartending positions weren't available (even though that's what the ad said they were hiring for), she began to tell me that other positions were available and that she would send me an email so I can apply for any of those positions. It's been a month. Haven't gotten a single thing. She "jotted" my name and email down and told me that I should be expecting an email to get a chance to apply there. The interview process was very poor, she could've told me to come at another time or they just weren't hiring at the time. But to lie to me, and expect that I wasn't going to do anything about it is extremely poor and unprofessional. Because of this, I will never ever eat here. They will never receive a dime from me. Now you might be reading this and wondering, "why did it take you a month to write this?" Because I was looking for a job! Now that I found one that cares about me and my well being, I now have the time to write this review. I'm all for supporting small businesses, especially in this time, but to be rushed and lied in a job interview is extremely frustrating during this time. I wish those employees the best, because I would never want to have a manager or management team like this. read more

It was definitely food. First of all, chips and salsa aren't free, which is a crime. We asked the waitress what type of queso they had (queso blanco? chili con?) and she said, "I don't even know what that means." Turns out it's just melted cheese in a cup. No seasonings, no diced tomatoes, no peppers, nothing. Alto Cinco's also alternative Mexican, which is fine, but get ready to eat chipotle mayo and cabbage(??)--almost nothing comes without it. It's decent food, but it was not worth the price. read more

I rarely take issue with the food at alto. It is consistent in its preparation and taste. Usually i am happy but sometimes it doesn't really excite me. I am from out of town and on my last trip it took a long time to get our food and it seemed that the restaurant wasn't busy. It was also strange because my two dining mates each had an ant run up them and we found one in one of our coffees. We were sitting in the first main room at the window. read more

Always have a great meal when I go to Alto. The food portions are hearty, the beer selection is well thought out, and contrary to some reviews on here, I always get great service. Don't really have a go to when I come here. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing but I'm usually trying new things. The quesadillas might be my favorite. The jerk chicken is spicier than I expected but blends well. The "cinco special" is actually pretty standard for a Mexican quesadilla but doesn't mean it's not delicious. Extra cheesy. In terms of the burritos, the jerk chicken is similar to the quesadilla. The California packs a mighty punch as well. The super vegan is better than I expected although I thought they could have added a little extra to it. Recently went for brunch and had the huevos rancheros. Can't complain about any part of it except that I didn't get a second. Got a white sangria to finish it off. Great brunch! Don't really have any complaints about this place. They consistently serve me great food and are always friendly when I engage them. It used to be cramped but the new seating area has remedied that. All in all, one of the more unique places to eat in Syracuse. read more

Alto Cinco - White Sangria, served at brunch. - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

LOVE!! this place. Great, fresh food. Perfect every time! CUTE counter boy, too! That's always a plus ;-) LOL!!

Ordered delivery and food was fast and delicious. I ordered the Mexican Pizza with chicken for $11 and it easily feeds 2 people. Would order again! read more

Love the food, the atmosphere, and the service. It's cramped but I love a lively place! Whether you want catfish and corn bread or chicken enchiladas, Alto Cinco is your place. Best restaurant in Syracuse hands-down. read more

Alto Cinco - The bar at Alto Cinco. - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I've been here 5+ times now, so I figured it was time to write a review! Alto Cinco has always been a win in terms of taste and quality. The portions are generous, it's got the quirky vibe, and it's always somewhere unique you can take people new to Syracuse/guests from out of town. Favorites include the burritos (particularly Chicken!), quesadillas (the alto cinco special!), and their chips/guac/salsa! Their menu seems to be newly changed/updated - for burritos, you can now pick your sides instead of automatically receiving their cornbread (which is very good) and their house salad (decent) - choices like rice and beans are now available, which I think is GREAT and gives you some options in case cornbread isn't your thing/you want to pass on the veggies ;) That being said, the downsides would be: 1. Service is typically very slow - don't go here if you are on a time crunch/have somewhere to be! You could be stuck here for a while. 2. The restaurant tends to be packed, especially on Fridays/weekends and peak meal times. If you have a big party, try and go early for dinner or pick a week day. 3. Related to #2, the service tends to be pretty scatter-brained, since they are rushing around trying to take care of so many patrons. ...but overall the tastiness of the food and the fun atmosphere keep me coming back despite the downsides :) read more

The cutlery is the perfect weight, wine served at the ideal temperature, & staff were incredibly accommodating.

Tried Chili Relleno plate- it was a different take on a chili relleno nothing like I was used to not my favorite. Think they use cheddar cheese.But a choice of black beans instead of refried beans which was healthier. Hospitable friendly waitress! read more

Alto Cinco - Chili Relleno plate - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I love Alto Cinco, it's one of my favorite places to order takeout from. My go-to order is catfish tacos with sliced avocado and a side of guacamole. Super super flavorful and filling. Only thing I wish is that when ordering online the restaurant let you get sides like they would if you ordered in the restaurant. read more

Alto Cinco - Catfish tacos - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Wonderful service. I'm from Texas and there are not many vegan options. I went here to pick up the curried tofu burrito on our way to Canada and it was AMAZING. Best burrito I have ever had. Their sauces on the side are all vegan and so delicious. This place has wonderful service and the vegan options are great and do not disappoint. Very cute and trendy inside too. read more

A very accessible and tasty restaurant! Alto Cinco never disappoints: from the hosts to the food, always good!

Overpriced 'Mexican' food that doesn't even taste good. I ordered a Chile Relleno, excited that I was going to eat Mexican food for the first time since leaving California. I was so sad when I had to throw it away because it was so gross. Everyone said it was amazing, they lied :( Cantina Laredo at Destiny USA and Chipotle are better, in my opinion. However, I am Mexican and my mom spoiled me all my life by cooking fantastic Mexican food. So I guess I just expected more? But if you pay ten bucks for a chile, it had better taste good ._. read more

I've been coming here for years every time I'm back in town to see my mom and childhood friends. I have only good things to say about this place (amazing food, cool atmosphere, etc)...ECXEPT they've got a bartender working, well at least Monday and Tuesdays, who is rude, slow, and, in case I didn't mention it, rude. It's hard to describe him as he fits into the general category of tall dude in his '20s with sculpted beard, rolled up jeans, and so on. But I will not return on nights I see his unsmiling, unhelpful, unwanted visage. The end. Not quite. That dude took my drink order, served some newcomers, waited 15 minutes, and never delivered. Basically a repeat of last night when I was there with a gorgeous female friend. He kinda ruins the place. read more

This my families favorite restaurant in Syracuse. I had the Jerk Chicken Burrito last time. I have never been disappointed by a meal at this restaurant. The drinks are always delicious too!! read more

Stopped in here for a drink and dinner before my girlfriend's brother went back to college. Arrived early to put our name down for a table. The wait, ~30 mins, was pretty good for a packed house and a party of 5. Got an old fashioned at the bar and it was fantastic. There is a surprisingly solid selection of whiskeys available! Was seated, and then, unfortunately, waited about 10 minutes before anyone even came over to our table to greet us. I get that the place was full, but I think even a "hey guys I'll be right with you" would have gone a long way. That's where the star gets taken off. Otherwise, literally no complaints. The food was fantastic, I got the jerk chicken quesadillas and they, along with the mango salsa was great! Other dishes at our table included cheese quesadillas, catfish tacos, and a veggie/tofu burrito. All positive things were said about the food and even how quickly the kitchen was pushing food out. After everything was said and done, would definitely come back at a less busy time for another drink! I think next time I'll try to actually sit at the bar. The table behind the bar can be a bit tricky since there are servers coming in and out of that area, so you always have to be conscious of that sitting in the back. read more

Love their food although sides are a bit meh. Wife's veggie burrito was "dry, too much rice not enough salad." Had the catfish burrito and it was really good, I'd order it again. The pickled onions on it were very good and the chipotle mayo was flavorful. Outdoor seating was a major perk. I recommend this place if you haven't been yet! read more

Alto Cinco - Catfish burrito, beans and rice and Jalapeno Cornbread. Wife had Veggie Burrito same sides. - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Overrated hipster trash. Rude hostess, inedible food. Shocking because I've always enjoyed their younger sister restaurant, Otro Cinco. But this place? Way too in love with themselves. Pass. read more

Already half way in but HAD to comment bc the catfish burrito is to die for good. Also no matter the dish you get, always get chipotle mayo.

Brunch review: Amazing. The jalapeño cornbread with vanilla mayo is really good it has the heat and warmth of the jalapeño tingling your tongue without having huge chunks. The chorizo is nice and smoky but not too spicy. read more

Alto Cinco - Mountainous breakfast burrito - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I couldn't say enough good things about Alto Cinco. Their food is both delicious and a bang for your buck. My sister and I both dream about the fiesta salad. The last time we were there they featured a special on their house margarita and it was delicious paired with a trio of chips, salsa and guacamole (which was quickly devoured). The dining and bar area are intimate, and there is definitely a boho vibe that I love. This is a great place for a causal meal that delivers on taste. read more

Alto Cinco - House margarita, strawberry jalapeño margarita, chips, salsa and guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Everything about this restaurant was authentic and beautiful. The way the restaurant was decorated to the presentation of the meal. We started with the Queso as our appetizer- it was absolutely delicious! I ordered the Jerk Chicken Tostada- although it looked delicious (picture below) it was lacking flavor. It had many different layers to the dish but all the flavors seemed to be dull and blend together. Our desert choice was Chocolate Creme Brûlée and Aztec Hot Chocolate- The creme Brûlée was absolutely delicious and everything we had hoped! The Aztec hot chocolate was less spiced then it was spicy overall. I knew it would have a spicy kick but didn't enjoy that the chili pepper taste overpowered the chocolate and cinnamon flavor. Our waiter was very friendly. I would come back again and give this place another chance. read more

Alto Cinco - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Been here for 45 minutes bartender took 10 minutes to even acknowledge me. A different group came in immediately offered the specials menu. Empty cup sitting here for 20 minutes. Never again. read more

Although the food is excellent, there is a reason for the 4 stars. The pricing and service are not top notch. I have gone here 3 times recently, each time in a party of 4. Twice our server was a little rude, almost as though they were irritated by us. The food is also a little expensive for what you get. The protein options are also very limited, but knowing that you cannot get cow or pig ahead of time will prepare you for what to expect. The food itself tastes very good. Although the quesadilla was a little bland for my liking, the nachos as an appetizer with the pickled jalapenos was very good. The Chile Rellenos burrito was very filling and had the right amount of seasoning and bite. The sides are small and ensure that you clean your plate when you're done. Our last few experiences were good. The atmosphere is darkly lit and intimate but it can be quite loud due to the odd layout of the restaurant. Overall it's a pleasant experience and I would recommend trying it if you're in the area. read more

If you're not going to be a free chips and salsa place, you need to make up for it in other ways. Alto cinco does not. The food is good but it's a little pricey for what you get. It's really nothing special and I think it's trying too hard to be edgy Mexican when it really just benefits from a great location on Westcott street. They do have some decent deals on Mondays for margaritas and nachos, but going anytime outside of when they have some kind of a special just feels like a rip off. read more

Alto Cinco - $5 margaritas on mondays (usually $8) - Mexican Near Me - Syracuse, New York