Editor’s note: Ground Zero visits restaurants outside of Lincoln each July.
WAHOO – A former Lincoln Journal Star employee recently texted me asking for a Mexican restaurant recommendation outside of Lincoln and Omaha. I sent it to Wahoo.
Acapulco Mexican Bar & Grill opened its new location in November at the corner of 12th and Chestnut streets in Wahoo.
Jeff Korbelik, for Newspaper Star
This is where you’ll find the Acapulco Mexican Grill & Bar, one of the best Mexican restaurants in southeast Nebraska. Founded in 2010 by Jesus Zaragoza and his family, Acapulco operated in downtown Wahoo, but moved in November to a larger location with parking at 1201 N. Chestnut St.
Known for its fajitas, Acapulco also offers an extensive eight-page menu of other Mexican favorites, including burritos and enchiladas as well as several steak, chicken, fish and shrimp dishes.
The new location is quite something. It is on the corner, with parking and entrances available at the north and south ends of the building. Inside are three large dining rooms decorated in bright colors and Mexican-themed wall decor. Seating consists of comfortable padded booths along the walls and tables and chairs dotting the floor. The bar is in the dining room with televisions and high tables.
People also read…
My wife and I dined on a Tuesday, thinking the restaurant wouldn’t be so busy on a weeknight. We were wrong. The south lot was already full when we arrived and the north lot had a few cars. But, with plenty of seating and staff to work the tables, we didn’t have to wait. They drove us straight to a stand, brought us our free homemade corn chips and mild, not spicy salsa, and immediately returned our margarita order.

Chicken Chilaquiles Mexicanos is served with rice and beans.
Jeff Korbelik, for Newspaper Star
Our server then asked if we needed a minute with the menu. We needed several because the menu was so big. The larger sections had more than 10 choices. The burrito and enchilada section, for example, had 23 choices. Even the vegetarian section had seven options. And, yes, combination plates were available. You can create your own (one to four items), choosing from tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, chili rellenos, tamales and burritos.
We ordered house specials. Rebecca had Chicken Chilaquiles Mexicanos ($11.49) and I ordered the Bandera Mexicana ($12.40).

La Bandera Mexicana includes an enchilada, a chimichanga, and a chile relleno, each with a different sauce.
Jeff Korbelik, for Newspaper Star
The chilaquiles featured corn tortillas topped with a choice of chicken or beef, a special sauce and cheese and served with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, guacamole and sour cream and a side of Mexican rice and refried beans. It was comparable to nachos.
My dish was a combo plate, including beef enchilada with green sauce, chicken chimichanga with cheese sauce, and chile relleno with ranchero sauce and served with Mexican rice. The enchilada and chimichanga were packed with large amounts of meat. The tasty dish allowed to taste different foods and homemade sauces.

Acapulco’s interior is filled with bright colors and Mexican-themed wall decor.
Jeff Korbelik, for Newspaper Star
Appetizer prices range from $10.99 to $17.99, with most entrees going for $12 or $13. Acapulco has a lunch menu available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, with prices ranging from $6.99 to $9.49. Our tab, without the margaritas, was $23.98 for both entrees.
The bar menu features a variety of flavored margaritas, national and Mexican beers, and specialty drinks. We ordered 16 oz margaritas on the rocks with salt ($7.49 each). They were so good, we got a second round. If we had known we would have liked them so much, we would have ordered a pitcher and saved about $10.
We were impressed with our visit. The food, ambience and service – we spent more time with the menu than waiting for the food to arrive from the kitchen – were excellent. The restaurant draws many of its patrons from Lincoln, Fremont, Elkhorn and surrounding communities. It is easy to understand why.
Dine out: Bourbon Street finds a home for popular seafood dishes on its third try
At the restaurant: wood-fired bread makes the difference in sandwiches at Lincoln’s Pub
Dine out: L’s Kitchen owner brings a familiar Lincoln spot to life
Dine Out: Venture out of Lincoln to find a really good steak in Garland
Mexican Restaurants to Try in Lincoln
Great Tacos

Super Taco’s deep menu, full of Mexican classics as well as more casual choices, has plenty of options. All tacos come with cilantro and onion. The restaurant is at 5501 Holdrege St.
Courtesy picture
copal

Habanero apple salsa and fresh tortilla chips with signature Copal Margarita, Princess Donaji and Cucumber Jalapeno cocktails are served at Copal. Copal is at 4747 Pioneers Blvd.
Amber BAESLER/Lincoln Journal Star
El Chaparro

El Chaparro is at 900 S. 13th.
Star Journal File Photo
Mi Tierra Family Mexican Restaurant

Hand-carved chairs and booths and murals on the walls add to the ambiance of the family-run Mexican restaurant Mi Tierra at 5500 Old Cheney Road.
FRANCIS GARDLER, star of the Journal
The Potrero

El Potrero is on Eighth and Q streets of the Haymarket.
Star Journal File Photo
Mazatlan II

Trio of fajitas (bottom), rice and beans (left) and Morales shrimp salad (right) served with margaritas at Mazatlan II. The restaurant is at 2701 King Lane. The original Mazatlan is at 211 N. 70th Street.
LJS file
La Paz

La Paz Mexican Restaurant is located at 321 N. Cotner.
star diary file
Modern Mexican Cactus & Cantina, 12.11

The dish of short ribs with creamy risotto and mushrooms at Cactus Modern Mexican & Cantina, 56th and Nebraska 2. The restaurant revisits common Mexican dishes.
EMILY BLOBAUM, newspaper star
Hacienda Real

Four different types of enchilada and Molcajete De Carne, with chicken, beef, and pork, are part of Hacienda Real’s offerings. The restaurant is at 3130 Pine Lake Road.
ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star
At Tia Lety’s
Mexican dishes at Tia Lety include mixed fajitas (left), chicken enchiladas and steak tacos. The restaurant is at 2701 N. 27th St.
GWYNETH ROBERTS/Lincoln Journal Star
At Tico

Tico’s is at 317 S. 17th St.
Photo of LJS file
Neveria

Neveria is located in the Nort Bottoms at 1317 N. 10th St.
VICTORIA AYOTTE BROWN, newspaper star
Villa Pancho

The Super Pancho Villa Plate is a signature dish from the Pancho Villa Mexican Grill, 5800 Cornhusker Highway.
LJS file
Cielito Lindo

The interior of Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant features hand-painted murals. Cielito Lindo is at 100 North First St.
Star Journal File Photo
D’Leon

Great nachos from D’Leon’s. The restaurant has a number of locations around Lincoln, with the original drive-thru at 2140 W. O St. open 24 hours.
Star Journal File Photo
Jeff Korbelik is the cellar manager of James Arthur Vineyards, former editor of the Journal Star and author of “Lost Restaurants of Lincoln, Nebraska.” He has been writing restaurant reviews for Ground Zero since 1998.