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.

Mr. B’s Restaurant and Tavern ★★1/2 2201 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls (298-4028) Humungous helpings, affordable prices, chicken fingers and its signature BBQ sandwich are among the highlights at this popular Falls restaurant.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Carson’s Country Deli and Bakery ★★★★ 5668 Old Saunders Settlement Road, Town of Lockport (433-2248) If you’re looking for top-notch beef-on-weck and homemade meatloaf, you can get both at Carson’s. Our restaurant reviewer declares the beef-on-weck here is the best he’s had in the area.

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 solid, the portions more than ample, and the prices quite reasonable.

The Meeting Place Restaurant and Lounge ★★1/2 2469 Niagara Road, Bergholz (731-3662). Some of the meals can be hit or miss, although our restaurant contingent loved the fish dishes. Something all agree on, however, is that the restaurant’s specialty dessert, “Pizzookie,” is worth a visit all on its own.

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.

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.

Shorty’s Ultimate Sports Bar and Grill ★★1/2 2626 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls (205-0378). Former Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer made calls from this establishment to a high-priced call girl ring that helped seal his political downfall. The bar sells “Client No. 9” T-shirts— and also makes a pretty good burger.

Salisa’s All American Diner ★★★1/2 2214 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield, (731-5616). Top-notch sandwiches and daring menu items like stuffed sweet pepper soup underline the notion that sometimes it’s good to be cheap. This place spares the expense.

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.

Old Falls Sports Bar and Grill ★★★ 300 Third St., Niagara Falls (285-3361). Soup, sandwiches and plenty of sports are on the menu at this plush new hot spot in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and there are beer specials during Buffalo football and hockey games.

Serafim’s Greek American Cuisine ★★1/2 2298 River Road, Wheatfield (743-5477) This is a small, plain place with a similar attitude. They’re not trying to be world-beaters. They just do a lot with what they’ve got.

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 ★★★★ 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.

Half Moon Bay ★★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.

Peppertree Restaurant ★★ 114 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, in the Four Points by Sheraton (285-2521). The food is sound, but the menu needs expansion, and attention to detail needs to improve if this dining spot is to compete with the nearby Seneca Niagara Casino.

Sunshine Cafe ★★8649 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls (236-0051). This busy restaurant features some nice dishes, such as Shelly’s Eggplant, but it may take a while to get your food.

Muscoreil’s Bistro and Dessert Gallery ★★★1/2 3960 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda (692-9081). Soups, salads and sandwiches are super here. The only thing that will force you to stop at an ATM before you get here is a desire to get married and buy one of Muscoreil’s wedding cakes.

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

Willowbrook Golf Course Clubhouse ★★★ 4200 Lake Ave., Lockport (434-0111). The clubhouse, open to the public, is above par when it comes to the standard pub fare at affordable prices.

Goodfellas Pizzeria ★★754 W. Market St., Niagara Falls (285-8448). This themed restaurant in the Central Market is a good place to grab pizza and wings—for takeout.