El Casino ★★★1/2 2001 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls (282-1110) Mexican food has come to this international tourist city in a big way. Healthysized dishes are matched by great service.

Country Cafe ★★★ 2853 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield (693-1232) Comfort food in huge portions at affordable prices. What’s not to like? Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch and every day but Sunday for dinner.

The Irish Rose ★★1/2 418 Main St., Youngstown llz(745-9938) The “Anytime fish fry” and desserts are worthy food selections, but this relatively new restaurant still needs to work on its appetizers and service.

DeFlippo’s Restaurant ★★★ 326 West Ave., Lockport (433-2913) Excellent salads and desserts serve as bookends for the main courses at the City of Lockport’s popular Italian restaurant. Dine in a historic setting packed with antiques and memorabilia.

Caffe Lola ★★★★ 507 Third St., Niagara Falls (282-5652) Ownerchef Michael Kraus serves up gourmet food that includes intriguingly topped pizzas and stuffed raviolis in a quaint setting in the city’s entertainment district.

Schimschack’s ★★★★ 2943 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn, (731-4111) The restaurant overlooking the Niagara Escarpment has great food and a great view. The “elegantly casual” dining room offers an ambitious menu that features fare fit for a special occasion, as well as specials.

Trio’s Pizzeria ★★★1/2 2131 Sawyer Drive, Wheatfield (731-2299). This place is what happens when a chef decides to open a pizzeria. Aside from the pizzeria basics— pizza, subs and wings— owner John Jourdain offers focaccia sandwiches, pesto balsamic grilled vegetable pizza, prosciutto pizza, and beef on weck

Del Fuego Steak House ★★★1/2 2990 Lockport-Olcott Road, Newfane (778-8080) A “flight of soups,” great entrees and tantalizing desserts are matched by an artistic decor in this Spanish-American fusion restaurant.

Tina’s Place ★★★ 5835 Buffalo St., Sanborn (731-2444). Whether it’s a Sanborn Scramble for breakfast, Sanborn Burger for lunch or a Friday night fish fry, this spot, owned by Julie DiPietro since late 2008, is worth a stop. Stop for breakfast and lunch any day, or for dinner Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

Yia-Yia’s Diner ★★★1/2 6124 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls. Offers “The best breakfast value in the city,” according to our Niagara restaurant reviewer. It’s also open for lunch Sunday to Tuesday, and for lunch and dinner the rest of the week. Think comfort food that tastes good, at a reasonable price.

Bandana’s Bar and Grill ★★★1/2 930 Lake Road, Youngstown (745-1010) The place is pretty standard looks-wise, except that there are a lot of pictures on the walls of stars sporting bandannas. The food is a solid, the portions more than ample, and the prices quite reasonable.

The Silo ★★★1/2 115 N. Water St., Lewiston (754-9680). This spot, overlooking the Niagara River, may have the best view of any restaurant on the Niagara Frontier. It certainly has one of the top signature sandwiches, the Haystack: a concoction of thinly sliced ribeye steak topped with melted mozzarella, slathered with crispy shredded hash browns and stuffed in a sub roll.

Sandi’s Family Restaurant ★★★ 2065 River Road, at Williams Road, Wheatfield (283-5257). Wheatfield residents may never see a Land of Oz theme park in their midst but this town staple can be counted on to provide good quality, affordable food. Try the apple pie a la mode French toast and understand— there’s no place like (near) home.

Wine on Third ★★★★ 501 Third St., Niagara Falls (285-9463). This upscale spot, with reasonable prices, sticks out in the Falls bar district for it tantalizing food and beverage of choice. Worth the change of Third Street pace.

Steelhead Irish Pub ★★★1/2 453 Center St., Lewiston (754-8181). This spot offers a slice of the Emerald Isle, whether it be with its music, decor or food selection. Great for a sandwich or heartier fare, and don’t forget to try the Dublin Stout Onion Soup.

Brickyard Pub and BBQ ★★★★ 432 Center St., Lewiston (754-7227). The restaurant has become the staple of the blues and barbecue set, with ribs, chicken and brisket to die for. This place smokes.

Pyung Taik House ★★★1/2 420 Niagara St., Niagara Falls (285-8529). This Korean Restaurant has a limited menu that is a delight to the tastebuds, even when we’re talking about dishes like barbecued eel.

Lighthouse Grill-n-Spirits ★★★ 5885 E. Main St., Olcott (778-5580). Nestled in a waterfront hamlet near a lighthouse, of course, this spot offers a simple, satisfying menu anytime of year.

Suzanne’s Fine Dining ★★★1/2 2843 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield (694-6562). This friendly place pulls off elegance without excessive stuffiness, and the prices are reasonable considering the fine quality of the food.

Country Roadhouse ★★★1/2 2989 Ridge Road, Ransomville (791-4316). This affordable restaurant is worth hunting for and includes such hearty fare as Hungry Man Platters and the Roadhouse Omelet. Closed Mondays.

China Garden ★★★1/2 722 Portage Road, Niagara Falls (282-8100). This Asian restaurant has given a nod to American cuisine, including knocking down the spice that comes with some Chinese food. Jumbo shrimp and steak kew are among the tastier dishes.

Tuscana Ristorante ★★★1/2 515 S. Transit Road, Lockport (434-6151). The chef doesn’t skimp on garlic in this Italian-style eating spot, located poolside in the Lockport Holiday Inn. Create-your-own pasta was our reviewer’s recommended menu choice.

Hideaway Grille ★★★1/2 399 Division St., North Tonawanda (694-2710). The sweet potatoes alone are worth the search for this indoor/outdoor establishment, which specializes in ribs and offers nightly specials at a reasonable price.

La Cascata ★★★1/2 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls (877) 873-6322. The service and understated decor in this Italian restaurant in the Seneca Niagara Casino&Hotel will make you feel at home. The food will make you feel like you’re in a fine restaurant. You’ll be glad you ordered dessert.

Koi ★★★1/2 310 Fourth St., Niagara Falls (877) 873-6322. This Pan-Asian restaurant in the Seneca Niagara Casino&Hotel, which means “brocaded carp” in Japanese, presents an ambitious menu, including Malaysian satays, Japanese sushi and sashimi, Hong Kong-style dim sum and traditional Szechuan and Hunan-style Chinese dishes. A couple can easily enjoy a luxurious dinner with appetizers and dessert for less than $80—if they don’t go wild on the sake.

Garlock’s ★★&★#9733; 35 S. Transit St., Lockport (433-5595). The plain facade belies the incredible food this city landmark restaurant serves. A top choice for a special occasion or a special meal. Don’t bother looking past the surf and turf on your first stop.

HalfMoonBay ★★ 775 Oliver St., North Tonawanda (692-3171). Black Angus pot roast and creative decor are among the draws at this restaurant.

Granny’s Cafe ★★★ 276 Oliver St., North Tonawanda (692-0165). You won’t lose any weight eating in this diner, but boy does Granny know how to cook breakfast and lunch favorites.

Fatima Shrine ★★1/2 1023 Swann Road, Lewiston (754-7489). The cafeteria-style restaurant in this world-renowned shrine might not be the most divine restaurant in the world, but its prices allow enough change to leave a little something in the collection plate.

Knead the Dough ★★★★ 3678 Ransomville Road, Ransomville (791-4991). This converted Agway store from the 1940s passes the great restaurant test with flying colors.