Very nice, very enjoyable. Staff is attentive and the food is always a nice easy dine. It’s far from real Mexican, but it’s perfect to get a couple of drinks in you and enjoy the night!!!

From the moment we stepped in the restaurant it was a great vibe. Staff was so friendly and accommodating. I had the Bbq tofu burrito and it surpassed my expectations. My husband had the fish tacos and he was impressed. As we sat and waited for our food people were in and out constantly so that was a great indicator of what was to come. The food was flavorful, delicious and is definitely made with love. I would highly recommend.

First time in Syracuse, decided to try this place out. I got the jerk chicken burrito, and it was amazing. The people I was with really enjoyed their food as well (super vegan burrito and especially the catfish burrito). Don't go expecting fast food, but know that your meal will be worth the wait. Really fun/artsy decor and vibe, and service was friendly and competent. Would definitely go again next time I'm in the area.

Stopped in after a Syracuse gamevand it definitely hit the spot 😋

+2

Alto has been a staple in the Westcott community for many years. Always fresh food that tastes great. Go on a time when it's not busy to really enjoy yourself. Plus, lots of cool knickknacks on the walls.

One of the best places to eat in Westcott and Syracuse. Their Mexican food is always spot on. Their portions are huge as well. I have enjoyed going there with friends for drinks and dinner. I love their jalapeno corn bites among other foods. I also love how the place is not that close nor far from the campus.

Alto Cinco will always be one of my favorite spots. Great food, creative cocktails, and a warm welcome that makes you feel at home.

Great place! Been going here since the restaurant was just the bar room and take out area. The employees make this place great!

A Wescott staple. Interesting waitstaff. A happening place in a sometimes dead neighborhood.

The atmosphere is really cool! Food was outstanding. Maybe more Tex-Mex than Mexican, but that just means slightly different tastes and toppings. Like I said, food was great tasting. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. I will most likely go again. Oh, and it was very busy. We went at 7pm and it was packed. You definitely need reservations on popular nights.

Excellent sit down experience, and excellent quality Mexican fusion food! Some fantastic vegetarian and vegan options. Everything is well thought out and flavorful. Highly recommended. They have a nice bar and a nice selection.

Grrrrreat food. A must visit if you are in Syracuse. I have been visiting this place for 15 years. While the chicken inferno xxx is my all time favorite, they have great selection of vegan options on the menu. Stumble upon old menu from 2005.. attaching for the Alto cinco fans to cherish.

We co- vendored a wedding w/AltoCinco at Arrowhead Lodge— the team was fabulous!!! The guests were thrilled w/the delicious food!! We are looking forward to working together again!

Ordered the Jerk Chicken Plate with a classic margarita - absolutely amazing. This restaurant uses the freshest ingredients and it shows in the end product. Chicken had a good spice load. Ate every last bite of the meal. Definitely recommend this restaurant!

Incredibly surprised by this hidden gem! What a wonderful meal, fantastic service, pleasant atmosphere. A nice small restaurant but plenty of space between tables so you can feel like you're having a private meal. The pork special (pictured) is now my favorite Mexican dish!

Super Mexican food! Generous portions, pleasant staff, relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend the bean and cheese burrito with chicken. Plenty of flexibility for dietary needs.

Excellent fresh quality food in a simple but fun atmosphere. And they easily cater to many dietary restrictions. Highly recommended.

Great food and drinks, good atmosphere. Especially during the summer this place is an ideal place to eat as there are far fewer people. The Inferno burrito was awesome and spicy but not as much as I thought and hoped it would be. Both the margarita and El Chapo (pictured) were delicious too. I'd feel more at home tho with the original restaurant as I like the more rustic feel.

Amazing food their catfish burrito is out of this world they're pickled jalapenos were even hotter than the last time I had them just banging we had a wide variety of burritos and the nacho appetizer with chicken The margaritas were wonderful also so was the strawberry mojito

Always clean. Always delicious. Anything on the menu is a great choice.

+6

Great mocktails. Delicious vegetarian options. No reservations/waitlist for fewer than 4 people but easily seated in bar area for full meal for 2.

We ordered the chicken tacos, they were absolutely delicious!! The restaurant was packed, but we were lucky enough to get a seat straight away. There was a delay with the food but the staff did advise us that the kitchen was backed up so we had no problems with waiting. They have a great selection of beer also with knowledgeable and friendly bar staff. I definitely recommend getting there early, it seemed the whole of Syracuse was in that one restaurant!!

Great food , fast delivery and support local!

Great portions, prices, staff, and flavor! One of my favorite places. The bartenders and chefs are 10 out of 10!

Barely got through the door to the hostess stand because the restaurant was crowded. This is a clear sign to me that this place is popular and, therefore, must be a delicious place to eat food. The hostess was unavailable because, like I just mentioned, it was busy. Sometimes when I’m hungry, I have a warped perception of time because I am focused on the grumbles of my tum-tum. When she finally acknowledged my hangry ego, she said it was an hour wait. I said, “No problemo, dude!” and just got a drink at the bar while I waited because I am a totally reasonable person. What a good decision too, because as I looked around, I realized how handsome and humble all the staff is. And did I mention humble? Anyway, the wait wasn’t really that long because that’s how restaurants work. I am now leaving this review because I tried the food, and that’s totally how reviews work. Anyway, I will never eat anywhere else ever again and will now enquire about employment here because I am also handsome and humble.

Amazing food. I had the Mexican pizza and fried cactus. Very flavorful and delicious 🍕 🌵 😋.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Alto Cinco for my wedding, and I can confidently say it was an amazing experience. From start to finish, the team exceeded our expectations and made our special day unforgettable. Emily, the general manager, and Lisa, the catering manager, worked tirelessly to ensure every detail was perfect. They listened to our needs and provided valuable recommendations while staying within our budget. Their dedication to making our vision a reality was truly appreciated. The food was exceptional—the perfect amount to keep our guests satisfied without overwhelming them. The menu featured a delightful selection that left everyone raving about the flavors and quality. Their ability to customize the menu to fit our preferences made the experience even more special. The staff was phenomenal, too. Dez, Tyler, Evan, and Laney were the best bartenders imaginable. They were attentive, friendly, and managed the flow of the night seamlessly, ensuring everyone had a great time. Their professionalism and enthusiasm truly elevated the atmosphere of our wedding. I wholeheartedly recommend Alto Cinco for any catering event or wedding. Their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction shined through every aspect of our celebration. We felt incredibly blessed to have them on our team for such a significant milestone. Thank you, Alto Cinco, for making our wedding night perfect!

Excellent food, attentive wait staff. Great menu items with vegan options, not your average Mexican restaurant. Will definitely go back next time I'm in the area!

Really great place! We enjoyed a drink and chicken empanadas. 🔥

I used Alto Cinco to cater my wedding. They were so communicative and helpful through out the entire planning. They helped me decide the right amount of food and what sort of food would fit my party the best. They provided labels, utensils, and serving trays - and even delivered! The food was phenomenal and it received compliments all night. I can not recommend Alto Cinco catering enough!!!

My friend who studied in Syracuse and took us there for food. I had a vegetarian burrito wrap and was okay as being an Indian we need little spice but the quantity and quality was good. Our server was great..

A tie between Alto and Otro for the best Cinco and the best Mexican food in Syracuse! Make sure to stop by both to get the best Mexican cuisine Syracuse has to offer!

The fish tacos were tasty and the service was good.

There is a reason this place has been here for 30 years. Menu has many options for all tastes. They provide magnificent support of vegans with many clearly marked delicious options. Please try the nopales tacos! Stellar.

Rating 5 stars so you can see my review! NOT AN AUTHENTIC MEXICAN Restaurant! Food is low quality. Drinks are watery. Food was burnt and tasteless. Manger is highly disrespectful. Not an authentic Mexican restaurant.

Great food! Good service… Vegan options.

Very good food, love the corn bread, service is good place is cute, but kinda loud

Great food. Their salsa & chips were delicious. Same goes for the Jerk Chicken Burrito with red sauce, tons of flavor. All the ingredients (Chips, salsa, Burrito) were so fresh tasting. Great waitress as well. The atmosphere is good but our table next to the entrance in 10° weather...Brrrrrr when that door opened. (Not all their fault as all tables were taken). The Enchiladas & tacos others at our table had👍👍also.

For a dozen years this has been our go to restaurant whenever we pass through Syracuse. I previously gave a 5 star review, but they've upped their game! The last meal deserved 6 stars! Absolutely wonderful, creative dishes from the nachos appetizer through the entrees to the brown sugar cheesecake. The server (Gabrielle) was very knowledgeable and brought great enthusiasm without being over the top. Highly recommended.

Nice local Mexican-style restaurant with many traditional dishes, as well as some local favorites. Particularly known for its Catfish Tacos and Burritos. The catfish tacos are fully loaded and quite filling.

Great food and drinks. Inside bar and tables and a few outside tables. Excellent fresh chips and dips. Tacos and enchiladas were very good.

Great Ambience , amazing on summer/fall days. Syracuse has always been close to my heart and especially this place has a lot of memories. I love the flatbread and tacos and of course their spicy homemade sauces amazing.

Some of the best burrito takeout in the area and dinner atmosphere is great.

The food is too die for, it tastes so fresh and unique. Sometimes there's a long wait for your food, and the servers can be a bit scatter-brained but that's to be expected at a busy place like this. So worth it!!! The plates are a bit on the expensive side but you get a ton of food (I always have leftovers) so it's not a bad deal. Highly recommend!

I love AC! I've been coming here regularly since they first opened. They've expanded their restaurant and bought out the restaurant next door in order to expand. Their food has only gotten better over the years. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area; they have a take out counter, or you can eat in. There are multiple dining rooms, and in warmer months, there is outdoor seating as well. The decor inside is very electric too. I love the designs and decorations around the restaurant. I love their drinks, chips and salsa, quesadillas, burritos and enchiladas. Everything I have ordered here has been fresh and delicious. I can't wait to come back here again soon.

One of, if not the best places to eat on Westcott. The food and drinks are top notch and the outdoor seating makes you feel like part of the neighborhood. My only qualm is that things can get a bit pricey, but it is completely worth it and I have yet to leave dissatisfied.

Alto Cinco did not disappoint. From the friendly staff, to the choice of outdoor seating, to our amazing waiter. Ordered fried Calamari, a Mojito, breakfast burrito, Naples taco, ALL full of flavor and freshness! We will definitely be back!

I love their food! The portions last for days, and the food is amazing!

The weekly happy hour items are great but you have to be specific about ordering them otherwise you'll be charged full price for the same item. Food is always great, it can be loud.

Maya

I’ve been going to Alto Cinco for years and never had a bad experience. Tonight, I had to speak with management due to some confusion that I had actually caused. Instead of being rude or hostile, Emily was friendly and super helpful, and gave me tips for next time. Great food and excellent service!

Angkana Huang

Clearly the neighborhood favorite. Amazing tacos and awesome cocktails! Nice ambience.

Eric Wilson

This establishment never disappoints and has grown over the years which is so lovely to see. They really care about their customers and their food and it shows. Never had anything there I didn't absolutely love and always feel welcome and cared for. It's a bit of a drive for me and I haven't been there in a while but I got my favorite which is the catfish enchiladas with some extra pickled onions and chipotle mayo. Off the hook good and I had to call them back and tell them how stupendous they are and how lovely dinner it was. Whether or not you spend $18 on a single takeout or $100+ for a party of four, you are valued and treated exceptionally well. Much love to you always I'll be back soon. 🥰

Jaime Sosa

Came to visit while in a convention and OMG what a dinning and drinking experience . Met the general manager and the brain behind the creation of the drinks. The most creative mixologist of drink experience . If you want to transport yourself and taste what a local tequila and great mezcal can do to you palate this is the place to be. Alto Cinco you sucker punched me with your greatness. Thank you for daring to give Catfish its place in culinary art. The catfish burrito to die for. Let’s bring catfish to your bar menu and appetizers. My 4 years old loved her side of breaded catfish. Please bottle and sell your homemade hot sauce . Alto Cinco Cantina best kept secret of culinary arts in the area

Anna Krivodedova

Easily the best Mexican restaurant in Syracuse! The food is freshly prepared with a fantastic combination of ingredients that really shine in favor! It’s a very cozy spot, perfect for any occasion!

Lexy McCauley

Love this place! The food is so good. They have a great selection of drinks and food. I went with my family and most of us got burritos or tacos. I got the vegan burrito in a gluten-free wrap. Everyone enjoyed what they got. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu and the origin of the restaurant name (Alto Cinco means high five and it has to do with everything being hand made). Cute shops and other restaurants around here, too!

+16

John Colucci Jr.

Great service and food! This has been one of my favorite restaurants in Syracuse for a very long time. Always know you’re going to get a great meal here.

Michelle Horton

This restaurant is located in a really cool Syracuse neighborhood near the university. It’s got a laid back vibe with a delicious Mexican menu. It’s rare to find a great meal and equally delicious cocktails in the same restaurant in SYR but AC has both. The bartender took the time to explain the cocktail and how he made it. We had chips, fresh pico and quac (all delicious and fresh) and tacos. Solid flavors!

tyler snelling

Nice restaurant, good service, and food with so much flavor 🤤. I had the jerk chicken plate and 100% would recommend. I also hated some of the jalapeño cornbread and it was amazing. W

Katelyn Thomas

THIS IS THE PLACE! 😍 Between the atmosphere, authentic Mexican cuisine and great service, there's absolutely nothing that compares! Our server Rose was so sweet and kind and helped us decide on what to pick because it all sounded so good! We ended up getting chips and salsa for an app. The salsa was definitely home made and SO good. Shrimp tacos (TO DIE FOR) and the jerky chicken burrito. 10/10 recommended!!!

+1

Katelyn Gelormino

Alto Cinco continues to have really good food as well as having a nice atmosphere. I really loved the decorations on the ceiling because they are so colorful. The food took time to come out, and when it arrived it was fresh and hot. My potato fries were flavorful as well as delicious- not too greasy. The sauce on the side was very nice. My waitress was very attentive and patient, and kept making frequent rounds to check on my table. The chicken quesadilla was good. There isn’t any cheese inside, but the chicken was juicy and the beans kept it moist as well. I recommend the sauce that comes with the sweet potato fries to add it to this dish as a side condiment. Overall, it was a great meal and outing.

Aaron Schantz

Place was great. We are repeat customers. The menu is smaller than it used to be. The takeout and dine in menus do vary so dont expect everything to be on both. Either way, very tasty. I recommend the catfish burrito for dining in and the shrimp tostada for takeout. No matter what, you can't really go wrong. It's one of the most established Mexican-ish restaurants in the area.

+5

Marshall Bailey

A great place to eat. The pickup was fast and just as ordered. The portions were generous and everything was fresh and delicious. So many choices so we'll have to be back. Really friendly staff. Thanks for having us!

+2

Recently got their huevos rancheros and they did not disappoint!! It comes with corn tortilla, two fluffy eggs, home fried potatoes, black beans, red sauce, guacamole, cheese, and sour cream. Delicio…

Recently got their huevos rancheros and they did not disappoint!! It comes with corn tortilla, two fluffy eggs, home fried potatoes, black beans, red sauce, guacamole, cheese, and sour cream. Del…

I had a great time here the other night. We went with a friend and were promptly seated. The entrance is through the bar, which was small but pretty cool. I liked the whole vibe inside. It's relaxed …

Alto Cinco catered a party of 17 for me. The food was wonderful and the service was great. Lisa was very helpful putting everything together.

Alto Cinco catered a party of 17 for me. The food was wonderful and the service was great. Lisa was very helpful putting everything together.

Went to get some tacos and lunch special with my dog! Pets are allowed on their outdoor seating areas which is amazing . The food was really good, I love their shrimp taco and calamari!! My boyfrie…

Went to get some tacos and lunch special with my dog! Pets are allowed on their outdoor seating areas which is amazing . The food was really good, I love their shrimp taco and calamari!! My boy…

Went to get some tacos and lunch special with my dog! Pets are allowed on their outdoor seating areas which is amazing . The food was really good, I love their shrimp taco and calamari!! My boyfr…

First time there. Real good Mexican food. service was real good too. Our waitress was very friendly and thoughtful.

Loved the ambiance and selections! Service was great...sat at the bar! Had a great experience!

Loved the ambiance and selections! service was great...sat at the bar! Had a great experience!

Had lunch there last week on the spur of the moment. Surprised that more people weren't dining there. The food was as reliably good as ever. Tried the bean soup and a favorite - fish tacos. Both …

Didn't realize I'd never reviewed this place. This is our go to stop for road trips on the 90. They have a vegan option for every category on the menu - enchiladas, tacos, burritos, tostada, nachos…

Literally best burrito to exist. Hands down. Never disappoints! Appetizers, drinks, everything here is so good I could eat this everyday

Delicious food at a great spot! They have indoor dining and an outdoor patio, a great menu selection and a variety of latte and coffee options as well as other drinks. The shrimp burrito was delici…

Delicious food at a great spot! They have indoor dining and an outdoor patio, a great menu selection and a variety of latte and coffee options as well as other drinks. The shrimp burrito was deli…

Awesome food and service! Dark inside, hard to see the menu. Noisy with talking but food was incredible. Had cornbread, guacamole, margaritas, jerk chicken, catfish and vegan enchiladas and everyth…

I highly recommend Alto Cinco. I enjoy the tostadas. I like that they have outdoor dining when it's warmer. It's kind of dark inside but I don't mind that. They have a good selection of drinks. It'…

The Westcott neighborhood is a great little multi mix neighborhood in Syracuse not too far from Syracuse University and we visited Alto Cinco in this cute little neighborhood for lunch recently with …

Loved this place, and clearly many others did too. Make a rez! All our dishes were delicious, and the outdoor seating is dog-friendly. I had the best fried cactus pads. I'd never had before so tried …

Loved this place, and clearly many others did too. Make a rez! All our dishes were delicious, and the outdoor seating is dog-friendly. I had the best fried cactus pads. I'd never had before so trie…

Excellent fresh quality food in a simple but fun atmosphere. And they easily cater to many dietary restrictions. Highly recommended.

Excellent fresh quality food in a simple but fun atmosphere. And they easily cater to many dietary restrictions. Highly recommended.

Excellent fresh quality food in a simple but fun atmosphere. And they easily cater to many dietary restrictions. Highly recommended.

The delivery took 2 hours from the time I ordered until it got to my hotel a mile away. But the food was really good. Just like I remembered it from 20 years ago when I lived in Syracuse. Had th…

The delivery took 2 hours from the time I ordered until it got to my hotel a mile away. But the food was really good. Just like I remembered it from 20 years ago when I lived in Syracuse. Had th…

It doesn’t get better than this! Great service, delicious food, happy staff and eclectic atmosphere. It’s a must for anyone visiting the Westcott St. neighborhood.

It doesn’t get better than this! Great service, delicious food, happy staff and eclectic atmosphere. It’s a must for anyone visiting the Westcott St. neighborhood.

Great drink specials and service. The food is delicious and there is a large variety. The serving staff know what they are doing and do it well. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Only downside is time. If you are on a schedule or in a hurry, I would not recommend. The time between ordering and food coming out is lengthy. However, it is perfect for social meals where you don't want to be rushed and are looking for an experience. I also ordered food to go when I last dined, hoping to have it to take with me when I left- that food was the first to arrive at our table, and thus sat the entire meal getting soggy and cold.

Consistent and fairly priced. Nice atmosphere without being uptight or giving you the feeling you under-dressed. Plenty to choose from whether you like savory, salty or spicy. Not for those looking for authentic or traditional Mexican cuisine, this is a spot for something fun and different. The Catfish Burrito is must-try. Good cocktail selection and a few taps as well. I've lived right around the corner for almost seven years and I can say that some restaurants on Westcott will have good days and bad days, but Alto Cinco is consistently nothing short of great.

The chicken enchiladas were very good. The sides of steamed spinach, guacamole, and jalapeno corn bread really added to the meal.

Had a birthday dinner there. Service was great. Started with a small calamari. For 10 dollars it was a good portion size and it was cooked to perfection. As good as I have had. Then had chips, salsa and guacamole. Guacamole was very salty. How a prep cook who makes that didn't notice it is beyond me. When you mix it with the salsa it cut some of the saltiness. 13 bux is a bit pricey. Entrees were the salmon burrito which was excellent. Doesn't come with any side, so that is a bit weird. Chile Relleno was good, not great. Prices for the entrees were fine. Dessert was good but pricey at $8 for a small piece. Now lets talk about the drinks. I got a top shelf margarita in a small rocks glass,. After packed with ice and mixer, I probably got 1 1/2 shots of booze. $19. Plain jane margarita $11. If I ever do go back, I will order water. The drink prices a laughably high.

Great food and drinks.Thank you Tyler our bartender. Pretty loud in there. Hard to have a conversation. Would recommend.

Unfancy and fabulous. Could have a few more choices but what they do have is tasty. Meat and non-meat eaters will coexist happily here. Fresh vegan ingredients, including homemade vegan cheese, which was fantastic. With food like this at these prices, no wonder this place is popular. Leftovers for Sunday brunch.

Nice place to kickback and chill with some margaritas or craft beers , the tex-mex style food is also delicious and with big portions, the vibe is pretty incredible too , friendly service and a really laidback atmosphere! I definitely recommend it !

Timna M

We used to come here all the time. It used to be my absolute favorite restaurant in Syracuse. Unfortunately, it looks like they have a new cook. Their fries are suddenly way too spicy and their tacos are burnt. If there's a way to get the old cook back, please do.

Evelyn Fay

The food was great and my server was lovely. I had a wonderful time overall. They were super busy, which I was expecting, but the service didn't take too long even with some kitchen delays due to lots of online orders.

Abolfazl Karimpour

We got pizza and chicken enchiladas. Pizza was perfect. You cannot imagine how thin crust and tasty it was. However, the chicken enchiladas was not good at all, very dry, with no sauce and not much of cheese. I suggest Mexican pizza from here

+10

Arlette Camacho

I recently visited this Mexican restaurant and overall had a good experience. As a Mexican, I appreciate authentic flavors, and this place delivered on that front. We started with the Mexican pizza, which was delicious! It had the perfect blend of spices—not too hot, just right. The vegetables were well-balanced, and the thin crust reminded me of a tortilla, making it feel very authentic. The chips and pico de gallo were also great. The pico de gallo was fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice for my taste. For the main dish, I had the chicken enchiladas served over yellow rice. The enchiladas were a bit dry and lacked sauce, which was a letdown. I’ve had better enchiladas elsewhere, and even made them myself. The yellow rice could have been more flavorful, as I’ve definitely had better versions of Mexican rice. Overall, I’d give this place 4 stars. The Mexican pizza and chips with salsa were excellent, but the enchiladas and rice could use some improvement. I’ll definitely be back to try more dishes!

+6

Andrew Stokes-Rees

Lively place with interesting decor and great service. Menu features large, tasty portions of American adapted Mexican dishes. Meals are served suspiciously fast almost implying a fast-food approach behind the scenes. Buritos are abnormally large however the volume of rice way overshadows any meat content. The catfish is nicely tender but virtually flavorless. Full points for house salsa. Popular with students resulting in a generally loud atmosphere.

Went here on a snowy day and the food and atmosphere warmed us up perfectly! The cornbread app was awesome and I recommend trying their specials of the day. If you enjoy margaritas, they offer a coup…

Went here on a snowy day and the food and atmosphere warmed us up perfectly! The cornbread app was awesome and I recommend trying their specials of the day. If you enjoy margaritas, they offer a co…

Went here on a snowy day and the food and atmosphere warmed us up perfectly! The cornbread app was awesome and I recommend trying their specials of the day. If you enjoy margaritas, they offer a co…

Very good drinks and very good food but things took a bit of a wait due to how busy it was

The food here is normally good and I frequently order for take out, however lately they've skipped on ingredients in my burritos and didn't notify me or ask to substitute.

This is a very nice and clean restaurant overall. The service was friendly and quick. The food was just ok. If you are looking for Mexican food in the Syracuse area, there are definitely better options.

The atmosphere here is really great. Would be a good spot to stop in and grab a drink and some guacamole. The food wasn’t as great as I was hoping, specifically the catfish.

Update: I've been back a number of times but this might be my last--I'm tired of begging the hostesses for a seat at a table that's clearly open and available, and being denied because they prefer that I sit somewhere else for whatever reason. Today it was because they wanted to close the section early (a full hour before closing and the section was pretty full). I am coming in to relax after a long, stressful workday and looking to sit in a relatively well-lit place that's somewhat less noisy. If they have that and are just unwilling to offer it, I'll go elsewhere. ----- Usually love it here, good food, good drinks, decent prices, and the ambiance is nice although a bit loud because it's always super busy. I usually order the chile relleno-- it's cheesy, hearty, and satisfies all cravings. I would not recommend the creme brulee, which arrives dark brown on top and gray on the inside (colors it should not be). Best experiences so far have been at the bar, not in the dining room.

N N

Our return to this restaurant after an absence of about 10 years was somewhat disappointing. For an appetizer we chose the nachos with jerked chicken. It had a wonderful variety of tastes, but after picking off some of the the crunchy chips on the periphery we encountered soggy unappealing chips supporting the bulk of the toppings. We did enjoy dipping pieces of chicken in a small $2-side of mole sauce. My wife and I ordered two mains to share, shrimp tacos and a chile relleno platter. We both thought the shrimp tacos, which included a generous portion of thinly-sliced pickled red onion, were a hit. However, the chili relleno coating was soggy, the poblano pepper had little taste, and for most of the pepper, the cheese stuffing was sparse. The best things on the plate were the cornbread and the mixed salad which included arugula and a delicious dressing. The service was excellent and the ambience was great.

+2

Kristen DeFeo

Pretty average I would say. Our server was accommodating with modifications on the entrees so that was nice. The chips and salsa were great but the queso was just average. I ordered a burrito and honestly I would have been just as happy with a burrito from chipotle. Not really kid friendly since they don’t offer a kids menu, but that might be the point. The price point for the amount of food is also not that great in comparison to what is included in other Mexican restaurants. With all the other options for Mexican in Syracuse we probably won’t be back.

I order the nachos. Not the best food overall but the guacamole was delicious for sure. The ambience is a little stuffy and lack authenticity as a mexican restaurant from the limited menu items to …

Went here, very excited to try something new, left feeling underwhelmed. The food wasn't awful, but we were expecting better. Party of 8. One person got a hot meal, the other 7 were almost cold? Saying "warm" is being polite. The chairs were uncomfortable to sit in and it was cramped. Waitress was polite but not very attentive. Okay menu but seemed to lack a lot of options that should have been available. The bbq tofu tasted good but was minimal.

Overpriced, taken over by hipsters and college kids. The food is below average in taste and overall value. Let's be honest tacos are not worth $5 and burritos have no business being $13-$17 for one. The counter clerk could have cared less that we were there and offered zero assistance. We will not be back for at least another decade.

Underwhelming. My table ordered only apps, and all three missed their mark. This was my first time at Alto, two in my party spoke very highly of your establishment. For perspective on that night, the very same two that recommended your restaurant could not finish their order of jerk chicken nachos; nor did they opt to take leftovers home. Please refer to my photos, sour cream was presented in such a fashion that it resemables a familiar Brown emoji friends would send to each other. I imagine the sour cream was piped onto the plate via a pipping bag, use a spoon or an ice cream scooper next time please. Our orders of cheese fries and jerk chicken nachos, a tale of two appetizers. One did not have enough cheese to meet the NYS mandate to be consider nachos, and the other had enough cheese for another order. The nachos, many of the corners of the tortilla chips were charred black; they're tortillas not a piece of steak, they should be toasted at best. You shouldn't have to fish for toppings on nachos either. The cheese acts as the binding agent that helps keep toppings on the tortilla chips. Guess what happens when you have too much binding agent? That was the case for the fries--one big ol' wad of potato. Cheese fries represents the pinnacle of finger foods, you shouldn't need two hands or a fork and knife to eat it; picking up one fry shouldn't drag half the population of fries with it. I did not have any chicken quesadillas, but I'm sure it suffered from a common theme with the nachos and fries. They weren't served to the table pipping hot, and the cheese was allowed to harden and set at room temperature. Alto Cinco isn't entirely to blame for the experience. I understand wholeheartedly that my party showed up 40 mins before closing. As customers, we asked if it's okay to be served, and would've been okay if we were denied; we can empathize with staff as to why we're being denied. What's not okay is accepting customers and be willing to blink on the quality and consistency of your food. Judging from mere photos of other reviewers, Alto can surely be better. Edit: My party and I were there on the 1st.

Me and my best friend stopped in to give this place try , unfortunately they were short staffed . We wait ed 30 min to only receive cold coffee and another 30 min. for a hot cup to arrive without the cream and sugar we requested. Then an additional 45 min to receive our appetizers, then waiting another hour more and still did not receive our meal . After 3 hours we finally decided we couldn’t wait any longer and left without our meal . It was an awful experience, there were no apologies given for the wait , the waitress was clearly insensitive to our dilemma and didn’t seem to appreciate the tip we decided to leave in spite of our terrible service. Needless to say we will never return.

Worst Mexican food I've ever had in my entire life services credit card I told her I did not like my food she started being very dismissive when I thought was really really rude I will not recommend this place to nobody and I will not go back . None of the food is authentic I've made several reviews I've been several restaurants and this is not it gun luck

Worst experience in service. We were a party of 5 and a dog. After a reasonable wait, even though we could see that there were empty tables, we were seated. Drinks and appetizer arrived after a b…

Worst experience in service. We were a party of 5 and a dog. After a reasonable wait, even though we could see that there were empty tables, we were seated. drinks and appetizer arrived after a b…

Worst experience in service. We were a party of 5 and a dog. After a reasonable wait, even though we could see that there were empty tables, we were seated. Drinks and appetizer arrived after a b…

Right now after sitting at my table for over an hour and twenty minutes I’m still waiting for my meal. It started out we got a table in about 20 minutes. However, we were seated at a table that was…

My review is based off of 20 plus visits and Alto Cinco is the most gentrified place on Westcott! Not one person of Hispanic/latin descent work here. There no SERVERS of any color or diversity and the they lack professionalism. Their food is dry, and drinks are watered down. On numerous occasions, I've seen staff members drink at the bar. It doesn't even taste like Mexican food ☹️ Very disappointing and degrading experience. The waiter also didn't want to make my fries fresh when I asked. See all the images below from numerous visits validating my statement. I am not removing or responding to you all. This restaurant is sad, honestly. Shoutout to Shelby for always making us comfortable.

This is my worst restaurant experience. Originally, I planned to walk in, but there were 10 people waiting for a seat in front of me (remember to make a reservation in advance). Later, I planned to order takeout and enjoy it with friends at home, but we waited. It takes 35 minutes for us to release it. We picked up our food and went home to find that we were given 2 tacos less. We called back to ask if there was any way we could get the 2 tacos. I said I could use Uber connect which would save us money. (The taxi ride there and back was more expensive than my food). As a result, they said they couldn't come out and give things to the driver. I said I didn't need a driver and could just go in and get it. The restaurant hung up on me very rudely. I called again and they hung up the phone. Although they said they could give us a refund, we ordered food according to the number of people and we were not full. The reason or excuse given by the restaurant is that we are very busy. If you are very busy, you can hire more staff to handle takeout and delivery. Customers should not have to pay for problems in a restaurant. This experience made me feel very bad and the food did not taste outstanding. If you want good service don't come to this restaurant, you will have a very bad experience and the seating is very crowded and the wait for a table usually takes over an hour. If I can give 0 at service I will not 1.

I been coming here for years and love it here. But recently there has been this odd trend that has started with couples who have children. On Mondays during peak happy hour when the bar is fully packed. There is children sitting at the bar when people are trying to get a seat at the bar. It boggles my mind especially when there are many group tables available. People come to a bar to drink, you have a child and are taking up 3 seats at a bar. The child I saw yesterday looked to be between the ages of 6-8 years old and she couldn’t even see the plate infront of her. What’s going on?

Went to grab my pick up order that was not even started. And the line cook made a remark about the amount of tip I left on the order mind you the total was $20 I tipped $5

Waited 30–40 mins for nachos and fries while people who came after us kept getting served. No updates, barely any acknowledgement. When I asked to cancel, suddenly the food appeared — lukewarm, clearly sitting around. Busy night is one thing, but being ignored and then handed cold food is another. Really disappointing.

Barely got through the door to the hostess stand because the restaurant was crowded. Not a big deal, dinner rush happens, I get it. But the hostess was unavailable at the spot for over 10 minutes. When she finally acknowledged we were waiting she told us it would be an hour wait. Decided ultimately that if this was the service we were getting, we'd be better off going elsewhere.