T&T, Luxor. Looks better with the hot girls in cutoffs there, to be honest. Courtesy MGM Mirage

Although Las Vegas has long had a healthy Latino population, it hasn’t necessarily had much authentic, quality Mexican food (at least, for visitors) until Border Grill came along ten years ago and shook things up. Here are some notes on my favorite Mexican spots on the Strip, edited from my Orbitz blog:

• MGM’s Diego has one of the most impressive pan-Mexican menus in town, 80-something tequilas (blancos, reposados and anejos), fantasic made-to-order margaritas and other tequila cocktails. Magnifico!

• With patios overlooking the Mandalay Beach, Border Grill’s organic/sustainable menu has particularly good taco and tamale choices for lunch…

• Dos Caminos is the place in the Palazzo with the addictive guacamole, extensive tequila list and creative margaritas…

•Check out Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill — don’t hate him ’cause he’s gringo! — to try over 70 tequilas and some remarkable “single village” mescals, like Chichicapa, that recall excellent Scotch. The creative menu is seafood-centric

• Hit Diablo’s Cantina at Monte Carlo for a solid tequila selection, creative cocktails and a great Strip view from their patio.

I’ve already mentioned most of my favorite cocinas on the Strip, but other resort spots worth checking out are Taqueria Cañonita (Venetian) with a fantastic patio overlooking the indoor Grand Canal, 70+ tequilas, and a creatively traditional menu. … Pink Taco (Hard Rock) with another huge tequila selection and good tacos. … Yolo’s at Planet Hollywood with a mildly adventurous menu (more vegetarian options than most) and great casino-side bar with cute bartenders. … Silverton Lodge’s Mi Casa, a colorful but romantic room with 65 tequilas and open grill… T&T at Luxor, with a great menu of original margaritas…Cabo in Palace Station. All are reasonably priced.

For the more adventurous, there are also excellent eateries (mostly mas barata) away from the Strip, including Doña Maria Tamales, Casa Don Juan, Los Antojitos and Ricardo’s.

And here’s a full review of T&T at Luxor (click to download PDF):