ROME — El Jarocho Mexican Restaurant and Bar lives in the traditional Rome neighborhood on Floyd Avenue, around the corner from MVCC “on location” and Clough Pre-K Center.

Owned for almost six years by a Mexican-American family who did not inherit but chose Rome as their home, Jesus Chareualaf and his clan have welcomed their community to gather at El Jarocho to share in the flare and flavor, the color and culinary bazaar that is traditional Mexican cuisine.

While nothing fancy, El Jarocho is festive from first glance. A grand, open space features a full bar and larger center tables, bordered by small scapes of booths set off by traditional North American indigenous decor.

At Christmastime, that space was surprisingly full with neighbors. A full-size tree, shimmering with colored lights, baubles, and balls set the holiday spirit for diners ranging from a large family dinner to a group of girlfriends dishing over drinks and apps to an elder couple on “date day” to a dad donning a 10-gallon hat enjoying some nachos and cold beer with his son while they gandered at the Dallas game on the screens over the bar.

An attentive server darted about the room, never without a smile. The owner’s nephew, Luiz Molohua, the on-site manager, was hands-on, wearing every hat from guest-greeter to margarita-maker to short-order cook; a traditional, time-honored root to running a family restaurant.

Molohua described Rome as a “nice place” full of “nice people” and shared that his favorite thing about running the local restaurant was the opportunity “to talk with them.”

As for the contrast from his native Mexico, Molohua found Rome was “not much different.” He is grateful for the abundance of opportunity but finds that both “homes” are rooted in “family.”

A full menu features predictable fare such as tacos, burritos, fajitas, et al, and offers share-worthy apps including queso fundido, guacamole, chori pappas - French fries topped with the house special cheese sauce and chorizo - a classic Mexican sausage - and El Jaocho Dip, a blend of guacamole, cilantro, tomato, onion and jalapenos.

Their housemade guacamole is creamy, not chunky, with a flavor as mild as the texture, a perfect way for rookies to venture into the world of avocado. The house salsa also skips the chunk, churned into more of a gazpacho, served in a small decanter accompanied by a dipping bowl and the requisite side of tortilla chips.

Special entrees include camarones (shrimp) a la diabla (spicy!), grilled tilapia, lobster fajita and pollo Veracruz, defined by a bacon and cheese dip. Also the perfect spot to take a twist on grabbing a great steak, consider traditional carne asada, bistec acapulco - a t-bone set off by onion, bell pepper and mushrooms - or ribeye poblano, distinguished by chile relleno.  

The la banderita, a three-enchilada combination stuffed with shrimp, crab and lobster, was served drizzled with all three of traditional red enchilada sauce - a milder tomato-y taste, green tomatillo sauce, which gives a bit more spice and savor, a house-made cream blending Mexican and local cheeses.

Finish it off with refried or black beans and spanish rice. The tastes transport.  

The bar mixes five flavors of Margaritas, shaken or frozen. Do as the “Romans” do and opt for cold “cervezas” including Corona with lime, other tequila-trimmed cocktails or a glass of your favorite wine.

Expect a range of options to satisfy a range of tastes, including children’s meals, with extremely reasonable prices, attentive, friendly service and a space where every inch and corner is done to display a “south-of-the-border” flare.  

Molohua’s hope for the future of El Jarocho is simply to share its food and hospitality, “to bring it to more people” from Rome and its neighbors.

So, do something different for dinner one day soon and try a Mexican flavor - favorite or new - at El Jarocho, uniquely authentic and absolutely local to Rome and our Mohawk Valley.

El Jarocho Mexican Restaurant and Bar, 1305 Floyd Ave. in Rome, 315-553-5694. Open seven days a week. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Find, like and share El Jarocho Mexican Restaurant and Bar on Facebook for specials and events.