Sombreros, cactuses and margaritas … no, this is not Cancun. It is Nacho Mama’s Mexican Grill at 3242 Magazine St.

This is the place to go when you want to be transported from a chilly, rainy New Orleans day to sunny Mexico. A few house margaritas bought during Happy Hour, which is two-for-one 3 to 6 p.m. daily, can help do just that.

The front is inviting. Outdoor seating gives diners an opportunity to either enjoy a meal in the fresh air or lounge while waiting for a table inside. Mardi Gras beads draped from the Nacho Mama’s sign and a wreath on the front door give a New Orleans twist to the place. White lights twinkle around the windows, which display lit neon beer signs and a giant, painted margarita glass.

Inside, the air is festive and friendly. The walls are red, beads hang from the suspended light fixtures and a brightly painted three-dimensional sun smiles at visitors. A large bar dominates the center of the room, which is well stocked, as it offers 27 types of tequila. The tables are small and crowded together in this seat-yourself restaurant, but it is more of a cozy than cramped feeling.

The menu offers a variety of the usual Mexican fare and includes enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, Mexican pizzas and flan as well as Soup and salad. For a taste of New Orleans, you can order the crawfish quesadilla or the fajita with jumbo shrimp. The prices are moderate but can seem overpriced.

The food my friends and I ordered arrived in a timely manner. The ground beef Great Western burrito was smothered in jalapeno paste and cheese. It was spicy but tasty. The Spanish rice served on the side was delicious, though slightly oily. The refried beans, however, had an unpleasant burst of a coffee-like flavor. The house strawberry margarita, served in a glass with a cactus stem, had just the right balance of tequila and strawberry.

The Nacho Mama’s Nachos is served with guacamole, sour cream, cheese, olives, jalapeños, pico de gallo and your choice of meat. The nachos were greasy, overpriced and hard to eat, but flavorful. Make sure you have plenty of napkins before digging in.

The chicken burrito, ordered without the jalapeños or olives, was served in a basket and wrapped in tinfoil. I ate the first bites happily. The Spanish rice, black beans, pico de gallo and cheese were a great combination and had just the right kick. The chicken tasted freshly charbroiled and was abundant. Then I made an unpleasant discovery of another abundant ingredient: olives.

Despite the olive fiasco, the burrito and majority of the food was fantastic and a welcome change from the Orleans Room.

Meghan Wasson can be reached at [email protected].