Ixtapa Mexican Grill & Cantina is a family business. Ramon Zarazua, Manager of the Lexington location, moved from San Diego, California to manage his cousin’s restaurant. The family traces its roots back to Guadalajara, Mexico and opened Ixtapa 9 years ago in Lexington, very close to the border with Arlington. The restaurant rapidly became a solid fixture in the neighborhood. Patrons come from surrounding communities, and sometimes from quite far away, to taste authentic Mexican food. “This place serves authentic Mexican. My husband got hooked on it and we have been coming here ever since,” said Florence Sullivan from Dorchester.
Family-owned and family-oriented, Ixtapa is a destination for a lot of families, whose kids often end up dancing in front of the musician during the live music that is featured every Thursday night, said Zarazua. But we should not forget what we are here for: the food! Ixtapa’s servings are humongous and flavorful, and the margaritas come in a whole rainbow of colors. “I had heard the reviews online when I was searching around. They were pretty good. I tried it out and I am not disappointed,” said Michael, a Bedford resident. To his mother’s question, “Do you like this restaurant?” Carter Hammond, a child from Lexington, responded “Yay!”
