If interior design was the most important decision in deciding where to eat, La Fiesta Mexicana Bar & Grill on 65th St. and Elvas would be on the top of the list.

The new restaurant and bar offers a festive place to eat, especially if you go at the right time. Unfortunately, the restaurant looks and feels dead between 3-5p.m.

On the upside, if you eat at La Fiesta Mexicana for a late dinner, the environment is guaranteed to be warmer and more inviting. The building itself looks like an authentic house that could be found in Cabo San Lucas or Mexico City. The brick walls and the sombreros hanging from the walls are sure to make you feel like you’ve relocated to the country of Mexico.

Upon entering, you’ll be seated somewhere to the right. To the left, a full bar awaits the night crowd. Wherever you are seated, you are sure to have a view of some small Mexican antique decoration. Whether it is the out-of-order Mexican fountain or a traditional Mexican painting, there will be no shortage of ornament.

As soon as you have sat down, your server will bring to your table the one thing that continues to win Mexican food lovers over, the chips and salsa. Though the chips and salsa at La Fiesta Mexicana may be nothing to write home about, they are quite appetizing if you’re running on an empty stomach.

Prices are similar to most Mexican restaurants, or perhaps a bit pricier. Two Enchiladas with rice and beans will cost $9.99, as will a Super Chimichanga or a Super Burrito. Things will get a pricier if you order the Camarones Empanisados for $13.99 or the Shrimp Fajitas at the same price.

If you’re on a budget, consider ordering “a la carta.” A Veggie Burrito is as cheap as $5.99 and a Pork Tamale is only $3.50. Side orders also work well for those of us with little money to spare. Beans & Rice is only $4.99 and a side of tortillas is only $1.

If your money is burning a whole in your pocket, don’t forget to try the famous Mexican desserts. Churros cost $2.99 and baked flan is $3.50. If you’ve never had a Mexican dessert, now is the time to indulge.

One of the best parts of eating a Mexican dinner is getting to try a Mexican drink-alcoholic or not. A Dos Equis XX is yours for $3.50 or add a little tropical flair with a banana, mango, or peach margarita.

For those who are not 21, and feeling brave, try a Horchata for $2.00 or Leche (the Spanish word for milk) for $1.95.

When your food finally arrives, you’ll most likely be impressed by how quick your wait was and you’ll remember that with chips, salsa, a drink, and some traditional Mexican music, the wait is never a boring one.

Overall, the food is fairly normal for Mexican food and I don’t feel the need to say it had the best Mexican food in all of Sacramento. However, if you love Mexican food with the same enthusiasm as I, then you’ll enjoy La Fiesta Mexicana for simply being a new, interesting place to eat. Not to mention a festive and cheerful one, at that.