Fiesta Brava Mexican Restaurant

June 10, 2016 Friday — 4:30 PM for Dinner
4 Adults and a kid
Atmosphere — 2 stars
Food — 2 stars
Service — 3 stars
Background — We missed lunch today so early dinner. So we went out to try the Mexican restaurant my parents like.
Atmosphere — They are located on the historic Market Street. That being said you know the building is going to be old. But they place needs a major update. The men’s room floor is not level and feels like you could step through the floor.
Food
Drink — Water for me tonight.
Appetizer — The classic free chips and salsa. We added guacamole as a side for the chips. The guac was not made completely, the pureed avocado was the base of the bowl then topped with diced onion, diced tomato, and large pieces of cilantro. You had to mix the guac with each chip. I suppose we could have used our fork and mixed it at once. But really trying to avoid the cilantro.
Dinner — I got the Burrito Mexicano with beef. The beef was the best part. Must of the ingredients that were listed on the menu were on the outside of the burrito and not inside. So made for the heart of the burrito very plain.
Service — We came in at 4:30 and at 5 our waiter was changed out with a waitress. She was determined to have that table spotless before we left. Most places would leave the salsa and chips on the table but they were off before we finished up.
Future — Probably not.

Stopped in for a family dinner out. It was early so the restaurant was empty. You get the typical chips and salsa and I ordered guacamole. It was very very smooth leading me to believe it was premade not made on house from fresh avocados. It was topped with onions, tomato and cilantro which was good.
I was happy to see they had a vegetarian section on the menu. I ordered the mushroom quesadilla. The plate arrived and unusual for a Mexican restaurant it was not scorching hot. I was a bit disappointed that the mushrooms in the quesadilla were canned mushrooms not fresh. Additionally there was not a lot of cheese to speak of, the two sides of the quesadilla were not even stuck together with cheese. It was served with lettuce, sour cream and guacamole. All in all the dish was just okay.

I’ve lived in Corning 20 years. Seen Mexican restaurants come and go on Market St. Sadly, because I love Mexican food. I’ve been to Fiesta Brava several times now and I have to say there is one thing they get just right — the food. Absolutely delicious. I don’t know how authentic it is but it feels like a family invited me to their home and wants to feed me a good home cooked meal. Ingredients are fresh and well presented. And the price can’t be beat. For $ 25 my daughter and I feasted on delicious food, and I had two big glasses of (simple but not old/​stale) red wine. In addition to the food, they are sufficiently attentive. They seem to want customers to get what they need, but are not overly (fakely) attentive. Which works perfectly for me. So glad to have them on market st.

the only good thing I can say about this place is that it has a roof so you don’t get wet and a floor to stand on was the most dried out meat I have ever eaten dried up rice chips that they recycled from other tables and put a few new ones on top sugar water drinks about as mexican as a taco bell oh yea when the managers phone rang the volume was so loud the entire restaurant went silent place is good for a laugh and that is about it !!!

Great food, good prompt and friendly service good atmosphere ! Portion sizes are great overall great value for money

Service. Very very poor. We were extremely rushed by our waiter who spoke very little English and breathed down your neck when trying to take your order. And turned out he was the manager. But the food was amazing! True Mexican food. Which is very hard to find this far North. But very good and reasonable prices. Would I go back? Yes, because I know what I want when I go and I’ll have my order ready. Overall, I wish the food wasn’t so good or I wouldn’t go back.

Excellent. Best staff and HUGE margarita’s. Quick service, friendly atmosphere and THE BEST CHIPS AND SALSA. This is a definite MUST GO.

What I liked about Fiesta Brava Mexican
1) It was one of the few restaurants in Corning open after 7 pm.
2) Warm tortilla chips and fresh salsa
3) Friendly service
4) Clean restaurant
What I disliked about Fiesta Brava Mexican
1) Everything else
The food is exactly what you would expect from a small town in the middle of nowhere (except I happen really like Corning) attempting to make Mexican food when they have no idea what it is and never tasted it before. It reminded me an awful lot of the sad Mexican food I used to have to experience when I lived in Toronto, Canada.
I ordered a burrito, enchilada, and tostada platter. There’s no difference between the burrito and enchilada. They stuffed the filling in the tortilla, rolled it up (so the ends were open — not a problem for the enchilada, but a big problem for the burrito), dumped sauce and cheese over it (not a problem for the enchilada, but it is for a burrito unless you’re calling it a smothered burrito). Except for the filling, I wouldn’t have known which one was supposed to be which.
The flavors were really bland. I really didn’t like the food. Luckily I have a vacuum cleaner, I mean my husband, with me who devoured everything because he was starving and has low standards for Mexican food.
The service was really nice and my low opinion is purely on the food.

Tasty tex mex and giant margaritas! The restaurant has a laid back vibe for the patrons but the staff were hustling. Had a drink in our hands within 10 minutes of arriving and food about 5 minutes after ordering! Doesn’t get much better than that for 2 hungry touristas.

I was there last night for dinner and I found the food to be very good Mexican Fare. I had a simple meal of the Burritos Mexicana with the grilled beef and the flavor was a 9 out of 10. A little fat on a piece or two of meat but nothing significant, and overall a delicious dish. I also had the guacamole dip with diced veggies which was also perfectly flavored. I made a drink request off the menu of a Una margarita frape de mango which was truly tasty and very large. Great food, simple Mexican atmosphere and while the service was nothing special, it was efficient and they took care of what I needed. I will be going back.

Ordered the Texas fajita which comes with shrimps, chicken, and steak. The shrimp was delicious, the chicken and steak was just okay. Next time I come I’m ordering a shrimp only dish. Frozen strawberry drink was good. Ambiance is casual with Mexican music playing in the background. Good portions at good prices with good staff.

This place makes the best Guacamole !!! They have plenty of options for vegetarians as well as non-​vegetarians. Me and my husband both loved our dishes. Portions are optimum. This place is very conveniently located near Corning museum of glass and Rockwell Museum. They have nice ambiance which is suited for small as well as large groups.

I hadn’t planned on stopping in Corning, New York, but my hunger said «do the research» and that’s how I ended up here. Reviews were great and there was some mention of a margarita as big as your head. Sold me.
Restaurant is located in a bustling area of what I assume is downtown; prepare to park in a paid city lot if nothing is available on the street. An inviting atmosphere awaits inside with colorful décor, authentic music and lots of colorful chalkboards «chalk» full of daily specials. Chips and salsa came out almost before I sat down and drink order was taken straight away by my attentive and agreeable server. Valentina, Cholula and El Yucateco sauces graced the table. Ready to rock, baby, welcome to the Empire State!
I ordered Tacos A La Diabla — four corn tortillas with steak and chorizo, grilled jalapeño, cilantro and onions. Served with rice and beans, tomatillo sauce, pico de gallo, and lemons for $ 10.99. I’m used to seeing Camaroñes ala Diabla, so this was suitably intriguing.
I was a little disappointed that the scarce amount of lettuce was only enough for really two of the four tacos. Presentation-​wise, having the lettuce sit on half of the tacos was a little weird. The pico was a-​MAZ-​ing; spicy and flavorful. Steak was a tad overcooked; chewy and somewhat dry, saved only by the chorizo. Rice and beans were serviceable. The solution? That aforementioned sauce bounty, but the pico really made it all good. But, no lemons. (Not that I minded.)
Overall, I would come back to this place again for a number of reasons, just wondering if maybe there was some oversight as far as the steak and lettuce were concerned. Other than that, this place pretty much rocks. The margaritas were a little weak, even for a large size, but maybe you can upgrade and make it worth your while. Would I come back again? You bet your glass. See what I did there?

First time in Corning and after visiting the museums, decided to check out the local Mexican restsurant, we were not disappointed. The Margarita was perfect, and the food cooked to perfection, portions large — especially the quesadillas — stuffed with beef, more than enough for one person. Will definitely return.

‚Right on the top of the list of best Mexican restaurants I’ve visited. Fresh ingredients, perfect seasonings and traditional recipes .make this a winner. Giant flavorful margaritas hit the spot. I had Mexican food in San Antonio the week before that couldn’t stand up to this. Friendly and attentive staff. Winner!

We were in town and decided on this place since it had high reviews. We definitely did not have the same experience.
Firstly, The waiter staff was overwhelmed and did not even know their own menu. Took 30 mins to get our drink order and it still came out wrong, we told the waitress she said ok and didn’t come back. Another waitress was confused and didn’t understand our order. Then finally the «main waiter» noticed we where just sitting there, and decided to fix our drinks. Finally then ordered our food. The food overall was ok, not much flavor. I don’t understand the many of 5 star reviews. I have had better mexican in other places, some of items seemed to be out of a can. I would give this place 2 stars, however the service was very poor. We waited another 30mins just for our check. I decided to drop it down to 1 star.

We were really, really happy with this restaurant.
The food is very fresh, and as authentic Mexican style as you’re going to find anywhere in upstate NY. Everything we got was delicious and didn’t taste like it had been canned or pre-​made in any way. The drinks are also good – I’m not a tequila person but my wife really like the margarita.
Outshining the food, though, is the service. Our server was friendly and visited our table several times to make sure everything was good. We kept talking about how we like spicy food and how we can never find it here in NY. He offered to spice up each of our dishes with habanero salsa, and they even brought out a special plate of grilled jalapenos without our asking and without charging us extra. Very nice!
I would drive to Corning from Ithaca any time just to go here.

I have been here so many times and everything I have had is amazing. Unlimited chips and salsa to start that always fresh and warm. I would recommend getting some ordering white queso cheese sauce to go with the chips it is really good! I have had the enchiladas, burritos, and Chimichanga’s since and they are really good. You can’t go wrong here. The staff is always friendly and service is pretty quick most of the time.

This is the 3^rd Mexican restaurant in this location in recent years, but hands down the best. I have been there several times for lunch and dinner, and have never had a disappointing meal. You are greeted immediately upon entering and seated at a table. The waitstaff is always friendly and attentive. Upon seating you are brought chips and homemade salsa, which is replenished at no cost. The food from the fajitas to the chimichangas is delicious. The food arrives quickly, the restaurant is open 7 days a week, and the prices are very reasonable.

I must have been crazy to give this place 4 stars in my initial review. I come here almost every week, the food and service are great. My favorite dish is the fajita burrito.
They have earned this 5 stars through consistently great service and tasty food all at a reasonable price.
Keep it going fiesta brava!