Voted No. 1 fifteen years in a row on Best of the Capital District Reader's Poll for Best Mexican by Metroland Magazine & the Capital Region Living Magazine. Also selected by readers of the Times Union Best of the Capital Region for many years and most recently in 2020. 

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant began serving traditional delicious Mexican and Spanish cuisine in the Capital Region 14 years ago. Today, there are two El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant locations: El Mariachi Tapas, 271 lark street., Albany and 289 Hamilton St., Albany, NY.

El Mariachi Tapas on Lark street was opened in 2017 with the concept of serving Tapas (small plates that originate in Spain). Tapas on lark is Small plates of homemade and traditional specialties. A few favorites at the El Mariachi Tapas include the made to order fresh guacamole, Chorizo al Vino, Pulpo a la Gallega, Paella Valenciana & Empanadillas de Carne.

The owners of El Mariachi Restaurant are Patty Bermejo-Bhola and Freddie Bhola. Patty Bermejo-Bhola came from the beautiful and culture colonial city of Puebla where the traditional cuisine and outstanding specialties include mole poblano, pipian (a pumpkin seed sauce) and gorditas poblanas. Both restaurants offer Pollo Al Chipotle, Tacos Al Carbon and Cochinita Pibil, which has also been selected as “Dish of the Year” (Times Union). A few of the favorites dishes At Hamilton street include Pollo Al Chipotle, Tacos Al Carbón, Camarones al Tequila  & Cochinita Pibil, which has also been selected as "Dish of the Year" (Times Union).

Patty Bermejo-Bhola is very special person. She comes from a family of five brothers who have all been in the restaurant business for nearly 25 years. With the strong family tradition that their parents taught them, the Bermejo family have been able to start the first authentic Mexican restaurant in the Capital Region. At El Mariachi the Bermejo family put into practice one of the brother’s expertise in Spanish cuisine, adding the Paella dishes and other traditional seafood dishes from southern Spain.

The family menu typifies the foods from their hometown and other Mexican states, which includes their great-grandmothers recipes. Their recipes have been handed down from one generation to another. El Mariachi also offers Tequila selections (over 80 choices, 100 percent agave!), house-made Sangria, and special house-flavor margaritas are among their customers favorites.