Alto Cinco

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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. 🥰

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!

Westcott Vibes & Big Flavor for $5 Stopped into Alto Cinco and scored big with their $5 specials! I ordered small nachos and a spritz that hit just right. The nachos were a perfect portion for a snack while catching up with a friend. Crisp chips, melted cheese, black beans, guacamole, fresh toppings, and salsa. The spritz? Light, refreshing, and exactly what you want on a summer afternoon. Not too sweet, just enough sparkle. Wescott vibes: relaxed, artsy, and welcoming. Perfect for a casual bite, solo treat, or chill catch-up spot

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, dessert...everything. They have a ton of sauced made in-house including vegan crema. You can get a BBQ tofu burrito or one loaded with beans and guacamole. The burrito of the month also appears to have a vegan option every month if it isn't already vegan. The food is delicious! Love the burritos so much. The fried nopales are also great. If I ever dine in, I'll try the enchiladas. Discount for cash. If you're getting take out on a road trip, order at least an hour ahead on the weekend.

We all arrived at the same time, how accommodating! There were several instances of food being served all around us, each item was played prior to being served. The building was located in an adjacent area. They prepared the space before being used.

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

Found this gem while looking for good eats for lunch on a Monday and was pleasantly surprised. We got there just when they opened at 4pm and the place was quiet. The ambiance was cute and cozy with dark lighting. We were greeted by a super cute waiter, Elizabeth, who definitely made our visit! We ordered the vegan nachos and guacamole as apps. I'll admit, I was disappointed with the guac at first look. With no visible onion, cilantro or tomato I was not impressed but hunni, from first bite, unassumingly delicious!! A must for your table!! I also ordered the catfish burrito with rice and beans. A lil less traditional with a fried catfish burrito but it was pretty good!! Would recommend! And put some green sauce over top! Lastly, on Mondays there are drink specials with $5 margaritas and $5 mojitos (I think beers were included in that too)! Pour me up please!!! Can't beat a cool kickback with great service, delicious food and $5 drinks! Would recommend you stop by! Oh and tell Elizabeth we said hi!

The decor alone is worth the visit! You'll feel like you're in a different world. The area is hoppin' too! My favorite coffee shop (recess coffee) is just around the corner. Pssst... there is a parking lot behind Boom Babies! My Paloma cocktail was delicious and beautiful. I ordered a black bean taco which was presented beautifully. I had a taste of my friend' burrito - out of this world! The staff was friendly and helpful. They seemed pretty cheery! I'll be back!

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.

My husband and I love this place and have been going here for 15 years. We love the vibe and energy - lots of SU types frequent the place. The food is consistently great and always prepared with fresh ingredients. Nice bar and every bartender we've encountered mixes a great drink, the beer is always fresh also. I hate to even have a complaint, the food and service are so excellent, but here it is: the dining room, which was added on a few years back- is freezing cold - even with putting our coats back on. It's a step-down room and that's always inherently a colder room, but you need to add heaters! We asked our waiter to turn up the heat- he said it was as high as it could go...Yes, this has been a very cold winter, bit it is, after all, Syracuse and winters here are cold.

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.

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 the decor. Service was good, bartender/waitress was a great multitasker.

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

My wife and I love going here, sitting at the bar and having dinner. Always bustling. Food and banter with the staff is always enjoyable, even though my wife always says "stop talking to everyone and introducing yourself, everyone doesn't want to know you" (but I'm happy to know everyone else regardless) My fav's are the chips, salsa and guac, jalapeno corn bread and for dinner spinach enchiladas with mole Though we missed the margarita specials by a couple minutes, the house and mezcal margaritas we ordered hit the spot I ordered a "paper plane" for my wife and another patron to split. The bartender gave me a quizzical look and I said "don't be bashful, look it up, may as well make your first one right". Another hit. Highly recommended - enjoy, me gusta mucho!

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 delicious. The chile relleno starter was amazing, also. Staff was friendly and helpful!

So the food was great except for the fact that I was SWINDLED FINANCIALLY. "Would you like some cornbread?" "Sure!" BUT DID NOT SAY IT COST $2.50!! I HATE restaurants that don't disclose that something is an extra charge WHEN THEY ARE THE ONES WHO MENTIONED IT! What a poor way to run your business. You should really disclose these hidden charges. Also the waiter was a little slow and was not attentive to our table.

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!!!

Always incredible food, great value especially for happy hour and daily weeknight specials, and wonderful service. Never had a bad time here. They are very conscious of my dairy allergy and it's great that that have many vegan options as well. It's always decorated for the season and it's a great vibe inside.

It's been six years since I've been here. I was going to a concert at the Wescott Theatre next door so we thought we'd hit up Alto Cinco beforehand. Last time I was here I really like the place. You know how sometimes you like something and you haven't had it in a while and you remember it being better than it was? Now imagine the opposite of that!!! It was better than I remembered. There's is the gold standard of nachos! Very cool atmosphere albeit a bit crowded (because of the concert). I look forward to going there again......soon!!!

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 delicious. Bra cause it wasn't busy, it was easy to have a conversation, unlike dinner time when it is usually full and quite lively. I'll remember this when I want a quiet spot for lunch.

loooove this spot!!! very cool, dark, cozy vibes inside. parking is easy enough in the westcott area as well. service is consistently great, always friendly, attentive, and they make great recommendations. margs and other cocktails are great, and i don't think i've ever had a bad meal here. i love their chips and queso, tacos slap too. everything is reasonably priced as well (margs are like $11 which i feel like is slightly less than other spots). i definitely recommend alto cinco for anything from casual drinks with friends to date nights!!

First time at Alto Cinco for a girls night. The service was great. We each got an order of tacos and a margarita. I got the plain margarita and the jerk chicken tacos with a side of rice. This was the perfect sized meal for me. Prices were reasonable for a trendy Mexican place. Definitely a good spot for girls night or date night.

I was thinking that this would end up a 4, but it's becoming a regular for me now that San Miguel is out in Bville and "not the same." This, Papa Gallo, and Rio Grande are my recommendations; skip Margaritas and XO Taco (which isn't bad but it's a young vibe that seems more about the atmosphere than serving great tacos) Alto has a menu of usual options, and usually a good value. Tacos might have too much in them for my desire, but it's not like it makes the taco itself meaningless and a couple of them makes a meal. The oddity for me is fried calamari, their's is great. Even with delivery. And this is one of the few places I've had success with delivery bringing fried foods. If you are close, give it a try

Alto Cinco is a comfortable space for food and drinks, but is definitely NOT Mexican food, albeit Mexican influenced. The food was OK at best, drinks were better. Expensive burritos ($11 - $16 with nothing on the side) & crazy priced tacos ($15 for 2, $22 for 3). The deal-breaker for me was when I was presented with the check and noticed that if I use a credit card, I was going to be charged for it (about 3%.). No problem, I took it out of the what would have been a 20% tip. I will not frequent restaurants that charge for using credit cards, extra sauce or are just nickel and diming you on an already overpriced meal. There are too many restaurants that realize that without credit cards, a lot of their business wouldn't be possible. Alto Cinco chooses to be cheap and hit you with petty charges. I'm not going back no matter how good it is.

During my concise visit to Syracuse, I got the chance to check out Alto Cinco, and it was phenomenal. The food isn't authentic but it got the job done. I tried the vegan nachos and vegan enchiladas. They both were so good! I also tried the vegan brownie, which I admittedly wasn't crazy about but still appreciated it. The customer service was on point. The food was so amazingly good. Conveniently located. Reasonably priced for the most part. However, I paid a ridiculous amount for kombucha. Overall it is a place that I would definitely try again if I got the chance to do so.

Got the catfish burrito because of all the raving reviews and it was good but the real star of the meal was handsdown the calamari!! The calamari was super crisp& flavorful, and not chewy at all. Its coated in a seasoning that tastes like the blooming onion seasoning and it absolutely blew my mind! Honestly the best thing I had in all of Syracuse and I will probably always think about it. The dipping sauce it came with was also good, creamy & chipotle-y(?). Its the same sauce that came with the fried catfish plate & I ended up using the leftover sauce on my catfish burrito.

One of my favorite places to get drinks, with $5 margs on Tuesdays! They have a great list of cocktails and make them well so definitely try one or two signature cocktails while you're here. The interior is a really enjoyable space with string lights and tons of decorations. They go all out for Halloween too! The atmosphere always feels right here and the service is solid. The burritos are hefty and yummy, but I'd say the drinks are better than their food. Definitely a must try in Westcott.

I came for a last minute dinner after hearing good things about their burritos. We got a chile relleno to start, which was okay - I got more filled up with the large amount of rice and beans than the actual chile. For entrees we got burritos. They weren't super packed with flavor, however they are very filling. We only ate a little less than half and took the rest home. The staff was friendly and attentive the entire time & prices were reasonable.

One of my favorites from Grad School days! A late night favorite and even a brunch favorite when they had one. We went here after a while and ordered our favorites and something new. Love the ambience of the restaurant. Got diablo fries and catfish burritos which most reviews will tell you is a classic. The fries were perfect with the right amount of spice. Loved the vegan crema and jalapeno sauce on it! The catfish in the burrito was perfectly crispy. I love that their margarita is fresh and not sweet with right amount of tequila. They have good veggie/vegan options which from experience have been good. Our server was polite and made sure we had a perfect dinner.

This place has an intimate feel, good vibes, and tasty food. We were impressed with the quality of our experience. We will definitely be dining here again !

Every time I come back to Syracuse I make a stop at Alto Cinco for their catfish burrito. The spicy chipotle mayo on top is delicious and the fried catfish is just perfect. I got the burrito with a side salad and jalapeño cornbread. The location is great on Wescott with ample parking on the side streets. The service is great although they really need to clean their hot sauce bottles.

I don't often think of food in a sexual way, but these shrimp tacos are so good that I got caught air humping them.

Had the best gluten free burrito here! I haven't had a burrito since I was diagnosed with celiac disease over 30 years ago! Chips and guacamole were great as well! I will definitely be back!

Where to begin... Alto Cinco was my favorite restaurant for the entirety of my college career, and I am truly pained to no longer have any friends or family in Syracuse that would give me an excuse to binge here ten times a weekend anymore. My close friend lived around the corner in college, and every time that I'd visit Cuse, Alto Cinco was the first place I'd go. The freshness of their produce, especially the jalapeños, was outstanding and the guac always tasted newly mashed. Please, do yourself a monster favor and feast on the catfish quesadilla with spicy chipotle sauce with a side of chips and guac; however, their shrimp (or catfish) burritos with mango salsa were out of this world as well. I miss the hell out of being able to eat here -quite literally three or four times a weekend- and Alto Cinco is the perfect spot for a small family dinner, date, or quick meal with some friends. Cheers!

False advertisement. they are still displaying one price for food in the restaurant, but yet charging you some thing else.

Food is always amazing! Service was good. I love the jalapeño cornbread. I always get the loaded burrito, it never fails

Went for dinner and I'll start of by saying that this is a funky and eclectic restaurant and is a neat place to go in the college area. That said, they were out of several key items that one might look forward to having here. Guacamole being the #1 item at a Mexican style restaurant. Tortilla chips and salsa were excellent and fresh. Shrimp taco was pretty good. Catfish taco was as well. Overall if you have time to sit for a couple hours for dinner - it's worth a try.

I like this place! It's funky and fun. I also like the location. It's tucked away a little and even if there is a wait I can stroll over to boom babies or just walk around the neighborhood. They bring out chips and salsa with your meal. My favorite is to sit outside but I also enjoy sitting inside on colder days. I really like when they have different specials of creme brûlée. The tostadas are delicious. Guac is good too and friends really like. This is s solid place to go to get some food and chill with friends. Clean bathrooms and good vibes

If you're looking for a great meal look no further! Make sure you visit on Thursday for wine night!

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's a fun place to be.

Been here a few times the past two years and I've also ordered out from here a few times too. Ordering out from here takes foreverrrrrr. And I only live 10 minutes away! It took almost and hour and a half for the food to here a by the time it got here, it was soggy and cold. The service here is generally pretty slow and not very friendly, but the food here is is pretty alright. I much prefer it over their sister branch of Ocho Cinco. The corn tortillas here are slightly fresher and softer than the ones at Ocho Cinco, which makes their tacos better. The food here also isn't authentically Mexican, but it is yummy! This past time we ordered enchiladas and a burrito. I asked for the burrito to be "smothered" in sauce and the waiter said that would be no problem at all. When the burrito came out, it wasn't smothered at all. In fact, there was barely any sauce on it! What a shame. Overall, this is a pretty okay place to get food, especially if you're near the Westcott area. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food though, you won't find it here.

Fantastic meal, hadn't been in years. High quality ingredients, great service. Highly recommend

Always reliable, and the bartenders are inventive, friendly and some of the best mixologists in Syracuse. Food is good, reliable and sometimes even great. A sure pleaser for bringing guests.

A little on the pricier side for what you'd expect from Mexican food in a college town, but I was happy with my meal. The jalepeno cornbread and the butter that comes with it is delicious. The cornbread was not dry at all. I tried the fried catfish burrito because its something a lot of places don't have and it was so good. The burrito was huge and had a good amount of catfish in it. Service was a bit lackluster, but I think they were just understaffed.

I love the atmosphere of this spot. The food and drinks were great as well. I had a margarita and the shrimp tacos. The shrimp here is to die for! The food was a bit slow to come out, but our waitress was really nice. On Mondays it's $5 traditional margaritas and nachos!

I've been to Alto Cinco for brunch twice now and really love it! If you're looking for a delicious local brunch spot, Alto should be on your list! If you plan to come for Sunday brunch try to get here earlier since they don't take reservations and its a popular spot. On my recent visit for sunday brunch, we waited 10-15 minutes but I quickly heard that wait time go to almost an hour after more parties showed up. The menu has a lot to choose from, from their Mexican dishes to more traditional breakfast dishes like pancakes. I really like their jalapeño cornbread and recommend it if you like a bit of spice. I've had their huevos rancheros which were tasty and fresh. It comes with black beans and hash browns so it's a decent portion. The hash browns here are good, cooked like home fries but the black beans were just okay. On my most recent visit, I had their specialty omelet which was cooked perfectly with hash browns and toast. I can't remember everything in the omelet but it had a lot and was more than filling. Everything I've had here always tastes fresh and made to order which is nice. I only wish the huevos rancheros were spicier but that's what hot sauce is for :) I've had a good experience with the service here as well. Sure, they're busy most of the time but the servers were always good about stopping by the table to ensure we were okay. The bartender is awesome! He makes great drinks and is always so pleasant and friendly no matter how slammed they are. Overall, this is a great brunch spot with their casual ambiance and delicious foods. Would definitely recommend it to others!

Whenever I come back home I stop here for the chicken nachos or catfish burrito. They have the BEST pickled jalapeños that have carrots in with it too. It compliments anything on their menu very well. Alto Cinco is for sure a Syracuse staple. Try their jerk chicken on the nachos too!!

Ambiance is great! They did take away my favorite speciality drink, and service depends on the day. But overall great food and experience

In my opinion, one of the best Mexican restaurants in Syracuse. I didn't get time to take a pic of the salsa because we ate it almost immediately! But for real, the salsa is very fresh and flavorful and they give you plenty of chips for the bowl of salsa. Lots of vegetarian/vegan options but also they like to be creative with their recipes/menu items. Never had a bad meal here.

We were informed by friends and frequent patrons of this fantastic gem, that we needed to check it out. It is conveniently located next to the Westcott Theatre. Where we live, there is very limited cuisine variety, so Mexican food was much appreciated. The portions are great, the burritos are huge, and the jerk chicken was on point! While you can expect a wait, it is well worth it. We will definitely be returning to Alto Cinco the next time we are around.

Man I am so happy to be writing this updated review now. I feel like I can finally make AC one of my regular stomping grounds like it used to be back in the day. I come bearing amazing news and that is that they have brought back their amazing queso. Yep, you heard it right folks. The queso is back! Now it may have been back for a few months, but when I was here at a work function in December it wasn't. There food is beyond amazing and when they took that off the menu I was depressed as heck. I highly recommend getting their delicious chicken quesadillas. Get your self an app of queso and it makes the perfect dipping. Tonight they also had really awesome burger specials for the fourth. The meat was beyond amazing. Service was a wee bit slow though. We actually waited about 45 minutes to get our food. I think they really should give ya chips when you first sit down because by the time we got our food we were pretty famished. I highly recommend coming here!