Mariano's Brings Homemade Flavor to New Restaurant

We'd been wanting to speak with Mariano Granados since he opened his new restaurant in Red Mountain Plaza late last year, but the man has been so busy, he was hard to get a hold of!! We got lucky this week though and we spoke with him and his daughter, Lizet, about Mariano's Tacos and More located at 1645 Boulder City Parkway. We settled on a "slow time", but is there ever really a slow time at his place? Customers were still placing orders during our interview, which didn't surprise us.

We asked what spurred him to open a restaurant, of all things, in the middle of a pandemic when established restaurants were shutting their doors for good or at least reducing hours to account for the industry slowdown. "I needed to work," was his simple, yet understandable answer. A long time employee at the Hoover Dam Café, Mariano was laid off. That gave him a chance to reevaluate what he wanted from life and the idea of Mariano's Tacos and More became a reality. And, with his trademark hard work and enthusiasm, he jumped in with both feet!

You may remember him from his smaller taco truck stationed at 2 Wheels (not to be confused with our friends at Marisco's El Soto Loco) a few years ago. He received a good reception from that endeavor, plus he's also been known as the "Tamale Man" so he knew he had a good customer base to work with. In fact, at the restaurant, chile rellenos and tamales are still some of the best sellers on the menu.

His is not the typical fast food Mexican restaurant. For one, the menu includes several traditional American favorites like hamburgers and Philly cheesesteaks. For another, if you're dining in, you're served chips and salsa just as you would be in a more traditional sit-down Mexican restaurant. But don't worry, there are PLENTY of traditional Mexican specialities available to try as well. And, well, they serve beer too, which is great for washing down a carne asada changa or carnitas burrito.

Looking around online, it seems as if locals and visitors alike are finding a lot to love here. There are many five-star reviews and recommendations to be found online, something that Mariano doesn't take lightly. "I want to make food people want to eat," he told us. It seems like he's accomplished that goal with his extensive menu.

The restaurant is closed on Mondays but the hours the rest of the week are as follows:

• Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10:00AM to 8:00PM


• Friday: 10:00AM to 9:00PM


• Saturday: 9:00AM to 9:00PM


• Sunday: 8:00AM to 6:00PM

While he's not doing as much catering as he used to, he still provides special orders for parties. On our visit last week, we saw a 20 taco platter of pastor or chicken with large sides of rice and beans for just $45. He can make other special orders as well, but it's necessary to call ahead (702-293-2199) because the store is hopping with customers all day.

Mariano's Tacos and More offers a traditional Taco Tuesday with $1 tacos. They also offer street tacos with your choice of asada, chicken, pastor, carnitas or chorizo for $2. Dinner specials average about $10.50 and include Tacos Mexicanos ($10.50), Mexican Flautas ($11.00) and even a vegetarian option: Popeye Enchiladas made with spinach ($9.50). There's a breakfast menu and they offer Lil Sombrero meals for the little ones at $5.50 each with four meal options. They try to offer specials every day so be sure to ask when ordering. Sundays include the restorative pozole or menudo to cure that Saturday night sickness.

Do yourself a favor and give Mariano's Tacos and More a try the next time you want Mexican food. We don't think you'll be disappointed. You can call ahead and place a to go order at (702) 293-2199. ¡Buen provecho!