5 Differences Between Alto Cinco And Otro Cinco
As the weather continues to gets colder and the snow starts to fall there are two places you will likely find me avoiding my responsibilities. I will be bellied up to the bar, eating family sized portions of Mexican- and Spanish-inspired fare and chatting with my favorite bartenders at either Alto Cinco or her younger sister, Otro Cinco.
A Brief History:
Alto Cinco was founded in 1995 as a small one-roomed Mexican take-out joint. I can remember coming to Syracuse to visit my “cool” aunt during my summer vacations and always requesting a trip to Alto for their famous catfish burrito (10/10 would still recommend). I never imagined this place would one day become my local haunt. The restaurant has undergone two dining room renovations, first in 1999 and the other just two years ago, before becoming the spacious restaurant you see today. For those of you who haven’t taken a Spanish class since high school, and especially for those of you who actually speak Spanish and know this name is an American bastardization, the phrase “Alto Cinco” is meant to translate into “high five”.
“Alto Cinco’s long standing mission has been to produce healthy handmade food with all fresh ingredients.”
As someone who treats their dining room like my living room, I wholeheartedly support this mission. Even when it means I can’t get any guacamole because the avocados aren’t up to par.
Otro Cinco may technically be Alto’s younger sister restaurant, founded in 2013. However, it can be appropriately imagined as the more organized well-adjusted sibling despite age. Much like Walt’s Disney Land vs. Disney World, Otro Cinco benefited from all the learning experiences provided by Alto Cinco being the firstborn.(I too am the oldest in my family, trust me I know how this works). In any case, if you were wondering about the restaurant’s name, it simply translates into the other Cinco, or more literally, “the other five”.
“Otro Cinco serves Spanish and Mexican food with love, mixes up specialty cocktails made with our house-infused spirits, and organizes regular events to create a lively friendly atmosphere.”
I can assure you I feel real lively with a ginger-maker cocktail in one hand and a fork full of octopus in the other, jamming to one of the many awesome bands that play on Thursday nights.
While both restaurants share the same owner, Johanna Yorke, and serve as staples in the growing Syracuse food scene, there are some unique differences you should be aware of when deciding which will be more likely to tickle your fancy.
Sidenote: Badass female restaurateurs are a common theme in Syracuse. Also see Karyn Korteling, owner of Pastabilities & Pasta’s Daily Bread.
1) The Food
Though the menus share some simple similarities such as chips and salsa, burritos, and tacos, you will also find variety under each of these categories. Alto has specialized in more vegetarian and vegan options since its inception, whereas Otro has some amazing beef items. The El Toro Tacos are one of my personal favorites. Also, because Alto has the more Mexican-inspired dishes on lock, this leaves room for Otro to expand into the realm of higher end tapas and traditional Spanish fare. As someone who has literally tried every single item on the standard menu, I love how diverse and adventurous both restaurants get with their specials. You get a chance to see the creativity of the chefs and get to experience something new. Price-wise, a meal at Otro Cinco may run you a little higher than if you just picked something up from Alto. However, there is a good chance you will have experienced a meal that, as far as overall dining experience goes, is of higher quality.
2) The Beverages
I legitimately lust after the Instagram posts showcasing the specialty cocktails and drink options being supplied and concocted by Alto and Otro on a daily basis. Originally, Alto Cinco did not have a liquor license and therefore focused its alcohol sales on beer, wine, and sangria. Sometime between their most recent renovation and the opening of Otro, liquor made its menu debut in the form of one of the best margaritas I have ever had. And while I still get the occasional mixed drink at Alto’s bar, I think their true strength remains in their beer and wine options (If you ever have Adam as your bartender ask him to choose a glass of wine for you, he never disappoints). That being said, this opened up the door for Otro to develop an extraordinary menu of seasonal and staple cocktail options that are constantly being developed as a labor of love and commitment.
3) The Location
The respective differences in location result in some predictable variability in crowd and clientele, as well as some logistical discrepancies. Alto can be found at the heart of the Westcott neighborhood, a quiet residential area with a strip of mom and pop shops, venues, and eateries. Alto is closer to campus and as a result more accessible to students living in student housing along Euclid. For me, Alto is a short 10-minute walk from my house on Roosevelt Avenue and as a result, is where I spend most of my time. Otro requires an adventure beyond the hill to Syracuse’s historic downtown. The area has recently undergone many apartment, shop, and restaurant renovations and has always been the heart of whatever small action the city is privy to. By day Otro is a short walk for the hungry, working lunch crowd. By night, it is near many of the bars and music venues frequented by a younger more diverse crowd.
4) The Atmosphere
Each restaurant has its own feel and prescribes aesthetics. Alto is a mixed bag, a unique blend of collected Mexican knick-knacks that have decorated the space for over two decades, and newer pieces that have been acquired to fill the restaurants growing footprint. Otro’s interior is a little more refined. Meant to mimic the interiors of Spain’s tapas bars, the walls are hand-painted marble by Syracuse’s own Tom Ward III and wall accouterments mirror a cohesive theme. Depending on the day of the week there may not be a much discernable difference between Alto and Otro’s crowd. Weekend brunch and quiet weeknights lend themselves to a similar sense that people are just there to socialize and grab a bite before heading back to their lives. Don’t let this fool you. Each place has its respective crowd with a bit of an overlap, of course, myself included.
5) The Service
I think at this point it is glaringly obvious I am a huge fan of both of these establishments. I love that I can go to either all by my lonesome and run into someone I know, or have a great conversation with a stranger, or discover some local musical talent I did not previously know existed. That being said, because of that love and patronage I am equally aware of these restaurants weaknesses as I am their strengths. One of the biggest differences between Alto Cinco and Otro Cinco is the service. While like every eatery, each has their good days and their bad, as far as consistency goes Otro is much more likely to provide you a higher quality experience than Alto. There are obviously many factors at play when it comes to quality food service that I am not privy to. However, from a customer perspective, I know better than to try and amend any ingredients at Alto. Be it order-in or take-out there is a good chance Alto is going to forget something, especially if you make a unique request. Alto’s wait staff is also significantly slower than that of Otro, with just a touch more attitude which I can appreciate, but others likely will not. In addition, the integrity and ingenuity in menu items and food production are higher at Otro, whereas Alto is likely to fall back on its reputation and classical favorites to get by.
All things considered, however, there are no two places I more highly and frequently recommend to Syracuse visitors than Alto Cinco and Otro Cinco. Call it admiration or call it Stockholm syndrome, these will also always be the first places I visit should I ever manage to leave this city. At each I know I will always see a familiar face when I walk in the door.
