Lindo Michoacán: Best Guacamole in Town

Among the hundreds of Mexican restaurants in Vegas, there are a handful really good ones. The first one I ever went to, back in 1995, a few months after I had moved to town, was Lindo Michoacán on E. Desert Inn, between Eastern and Pecos. Back then, it was a little-known gem, and since I grew up in Mexico City, I felt almost at home there. In the years to follow, Lindo (as it is affectionately known), has become a bit less Mexican and more mainstream (who really wants fries with their Mexican torta, a pressed sandwich?), but still very good. The original Lindo burned down one Thanksgiving weekend, only to come back stronger than before, in its original location and beyond.

I am delighted with Lindo’s decision to open a restaurant for us Summerlin folks, on 215 and Flamingo (at Hualapai). They have dozens of fantastic lunch options starting at $6.99, which include a drink (oddly, with one refill). Their grilled shrimp with garlic (camarones al mojo de ajo) are excellent, and my husband really enjoyed his fish tacos. My father-in-law was happy with his decidedly un-Mexican taco salad. While this is a relatively upscale restaurant where you don’t need to bring a Spanish-speaker to help you decipher the menu, the owners give few translations under the lunch specials. It will say “carne a la tampiqueña” with no explanation. However, the friendly staff can help out.

My favorite part at Lindo is the guacamole, which is still made tableside, as it should. This practice is less common these days because of cutbacks in staffing (including at Agave). Lindo makes a guacamole to rival my own, and includes all the right ingredients: two Haas avocados, plenty of chopped cilantro, jalapeño peppers (as desired), onion, tomatoes, lime, salt, and pepper. The Mexican version of soft drinks, aguas frescas, are, unfortunately, made from syrup and not made in-house, but they are delicious nonetheless. Try jamaica (hibiscus).